Japanese Kodachi

The Japanese kodachi is one of the lesser-known but historically rich blade types in the Japanese sword tradition. Derived from the tachi - the long curved sword that preceded the katana as the primary blade of the mounted samurai - the kodachi represents a shorter version of this older form, combining the tachi's curved blade geometry with a more compact and versatile scale. The name itself reflects this lineage: "ko" meaning small, and "tachi" referring directly to the older sword style. For collectors with a deeper interest in Japanese blade history, the kodachi offers a connection to the pre-Edo period of Japanese martial culture that the more commonly collected katana and wakizashi do not as directly represent.

Construction quality in this collection is grounded in the fundamentals that experienced Japanese sword collectors prioritize. Every Japanese kodachi features full-tang construction with the steel core running continuously from blade tip through the complete handle, secured by a mekugi retention pin. Steel options include 1045 carbon steel for reliable entry-level pieces, T10 carbon steel for premium quality with a visible hamon temper line capability, and Damascus steel for collectors who want fold-forged layered surface patterning. Tsuba guard designs, ito handle wrappings, and saya scabbard finishes vary by piece, offering a range of aesthetic options within the collection. Scabbard colors include blue, brown, bronze, and natural wood tones, giving collectors flexibility to build a display that fits their environment. Browse our kodachi sword and tachi sword collections for related blade style options.

The Japanese kodachi's compact scale makes it a particularly versatile display piece in home and office environments. It fits comfortably on a tabletop sword stand as a desk or shelf centerpiece, requiring no dedicated wall space. For wall mounting, a smaller horizontal bracket works perfectly - the shorter overall length of the kodachi means it does not need the wide-span brackets required by full-length katana or odachi pieces. For collectors building a multi-piece Japanese sword display, a kodachi pairs naturally with a full-length katana sword or a tachi sword to illustrate the historical relationship between these blade lengths and the evolution of Japanese sword design across different periods.