The Reality of Swords in Sengoku Battles—Differences in Deployment Between Long Swords, Katanas, and Short Swords Across Scenarios and Combat Truth

The Warring States period (1467–1615) was the most violent era of warfare in Japanese history. During this period, Japanese swords were not works of art or ceremonial objects, but purely practical weapons in life-and-death combat. However, among modern sword enthusiasts, a fundamental question—"how were tachi, uchigatana, and wakizashi used differently on the battlefield?"—is surprisingly rarely discussed. This article elucidates the actual use of swords in Warring States battles based on primary sources, military treatises, and archaeological insights.

The Reality of Warring States Battles—Swords Were Not the Main Weapon

First, let us confirm an important fact as our premise. The primary weapons in Warring States battles were the spear and bow, with firearms joining from the Tenbun era (1543) onward. Swords became the central weapon on the battlefield only in specific situations with particular conditions.

An analysis of battle records, including the Shinchō-kōki, reveals that most battle wounds were from spear, arrow, or firearm wounds, with sword wounds representing a smaller proportion. Military treatises from the Edo period similarly contain passages stating that "in field warfare, the spear was primary and the sword was secondary."

Then, in what situations were swords used? Broadly speaking, there were four main contexts.

• Finishing blows in close grappling
• Close-quarters combat within castles or buildings
• Pursuit strikes during enemy retreat
• Head-taking

Tachi—The Authority and Ceremony of Mounted Warriors

The tachi was a sword worn at the waist with the blade edge facing downward, and while it was the primary weapon during the Heian to Kamakura periods, its use changed during the Warring States period.

In the Warring States period, the primary combat use of the tachi was in mounted cavalry charges and pursuit. When mounted warriors attacked enemies from horseback, the longer tachi hanging from the waist (with a blade length exceeding 70–80 cm) was effective. The hiki-giri technique—slashing while drawing the sword using the momentum of the horse—was a mounted-only technique that utilized the tachi's length and sori.

However, by the late Warring States period, the spear phalanx formations of ashigaru masses became dominant over individual mounted combat, and the tachi's role became even more limited. While many Warring States daimyo cherished the tachi as a symbol of ceremonial dress and rank, they increasingly used the uchigatana in actual combat.

Among tachi, the nodachi and ōdachi were specialized weapons. These giant swords, with blade lengths reaching 90–120 cm, allegedly served purposes such as intimidating enemies on the battlefield, severing enemy horse legs, and smashing castle gates. However, in practice, simply carrying and moving across the battlefield required considerable strength, and few warriors could wield them effectively.

Uchigatana—The Standard Equipment of Warring States Soldiers

The uchigatana was a sword worn at the waist with the blade edge facing upward, and it spread rapidly from the middle Muromachi period onward. It was the most versatile sword in actual Warring States combat.

There were several reasons why the uchigatana was suited to actual combat. First was the "speed of the draw." By wearing the blade-up at the belt, the wielder could grip the hilt with the right hand while pushing the scabbard with the left, allowing for a single swift motion to draw and slash—the nukitsuke technique. With the tachi worn at the waist, such swift drawing was difficult.

Second was "ease of handling." The uchigatana's standard blade length was around 2 shaku 3 sun (approximately 70 cm), making it shorter and lighter than the tachi. In close-quarters combat within narrow castle interiors or forests, it was more manageable than a longer tachi.

As equipment for Warring States ashigaru, the uchigatana became widespread, but quality varied greatly. Mass-produced swords called kazuchi-mono were inferior in steel quality and edge-hardening compared to custom-made masterpieces, and some would become dull after cutting through just a few opponents. Custom-ordered swords from renowned smiths were expensive, available only to high-ranking warriors.

In grappling situations, fighters often drew the uchigatana to stab their opponent or switched to a tanto. "Slashing" against an armored opponent was less effective, while "thrusting" into gaps in the armor was more effective.

Wakizashi—The Trump Card of Close-Quarters Combat and the Finishing Blow

The wakizashi was a sword with a blade length of one shaku (approximately 30 cm) to less than 2 shaku, serving as the secondary blade paired with the uchigatana in the daishō combination. While it held ceremonial significance as a symbol of samurai status in the Edo period, during the Warring States period it was purely a practical close-quarters combat weapon.

The primary combat application of the wakizashi was in close grappling. Grappling was hand-to-hand combat between armored warriors, where longer blades like the uchigatana became a hindrance. In these situations, fighters would draw the wakizashi (or tanto) and employ techniques of thrusting into gaps in the armor, such as around the neck, under the arms, or in the openings of the face guard.

The wakizashi was also used in "head-taking" work. In the Warring States period, bringing back the head of a defeated enemy as proof was evidence of martial achievement and an important practice. Records show that smaller wakizashi and tanto were used for this cutting work.

The wakizashi was also important as a self-defense weapon if a mounted warrior fell from their horse. It was positioned as a last resort weapon in situations where spears or naginata could not be used.

Practical Use by Situation

Conclusion—The Sword as the "Last Weapon" and "Samurai Pride"

The fact that in Warring States battles, swords were "not primary weapons but secondary and last-resort options" may seem surprising to modern sword enthusiasts. Yet, paradoxically, this is precisely why the quality of one's sword was directly linked to a samurai's pride.

When the spear broke, when arrows ran out, when grappling began—the single blade at one's waist was what could be relied upon at the very end. Whether that "last weapon" was trustworthy literally made the difference between life and death. One reason custom-ordered swords from master smiths were so highly valued was precisely this high reliability in actual combat.

The tachi was for prestige and mounted combat, the uchigatana for versatile close combat, the wakizashi for grappling and finishing blows—by understanding each sword's role, one's appreciation of blade form, dimensions, and steel properties deepens significantly.