Kaiken

Quick Facts

OriginJapan

Weapon typeDagger

How it worksCutting, Concealed

Period of useEarly modern, Present day

Original purposeCivilian self-defence and duelling, Ritual and symbol

Fighting distanceClose range

Carried byWarrior class

Ceremonial useCeremonial dress

About the weapon

Kaiken (懐剣) is a short Japanese blade carried by the samurai class. Japanese sources describe it as a special mounting of the tanto dagger; it is also called futokoro-gatana or mamori-gatana, 'protective sword'. It was smaller than the wakizashi and served for self-defence where a long sword was impractical, that is in cramped interior spaces, or where carrying large swords was forbidden, for example in a palace. The blade is 20 to 25 cm long and usually single-edged. Kaiken typically has no tsuba guard and is carried in a plain aikuchi mounting; the scabbard is usually just lacquered, without ornament. Kaiken were worn by men and women. Among men it enjoyed regard comparable to the uchigatana sword, and many daimyo families kept kaiken as family heirlooms. Women carried it in a fold of the kimono or in a sleeve pouch, and in the Edo period also in a brocade case, for self-defence and for ceremonial purposes including ritual suicide. A samurai bride was expected to bring one to her husband's house. In the Edo period, people without the right to carry a sword, especially criminals, also hid plain kaiken in unadorned scabbards to get around the weapons ban. Since 1900, the kaiken has been part of the bride's attire at a Shinto wedding. Sumo referees at higher competition levels wear a ceremonial version of it without a real blade.

Parts of the weapon

• Blade
• Scabbard

Related weapons

• Variant of: Tantō