GhostDancer
Jan 5th, '11, 02:10 PM
Kodachi OCV+1 1d6+1K Notes: +2 Block
A kodachi (小太刀 or こだち?), literally translating into "small or short tachi (sword)", is a Japanese sword that is too short to be considered a long sword but too long to be a dagger. Since this sword was only about 70 cm (28 inches) in length, it did not exceed the blade length limits of non-samurai during the Edo period and could be worn by merchants.
A kodachi's length is similar to that of the wakizashi, and though the blades differ greatly in construction, the kodachi and the wakizashi are similar enough in size and technique that the terms are sometimes (mis)used interchangeably. While the kodachi was a set length, the wakizashi was forged to complement the height of its wielder or the length of the katanait was paired with, and thus varied. The kodachi also features greater curvature than a wakizashi, and typically has a longer handle.
The kodachi has also been said (Rurouni Kenshin vol. 4, by Nobuhiro Watsuki) to be a medium length sword, shorter than a katana but longer than a wakazashi, with easy manueverability making for higher defensive capacity. It is known as the 'shield-sword', the o- (long) wakazashi, or naga- (long) wakazashi.
The prefix "ko-" means "short," and can be attached to any of the names of specific types of swords to indicate something shorter than "normal." As the prefix "ō-" can mean "great" or "long," it follows that the opposite end of this length spectrum of the tachi is the ōdachi.
If you are paying points for the kodachi, consider a 'semi-personal' focus- stats as above for everyone except you- +3 CV for you, same price.
A kodachi (小太刀 or こだち?), literally translating into "small or short tachi (sword)", is a Japanese sword that is too short to be considered a long sword but too long to be a dagger. Since this sword was only about 70 cm (28 inches) in length, it did not exceed the blade length limits of non-samurai during the Edo period and could be worn by merchants.
A kodachi's length is similar to that of the wakizashi, and though the blades differ greatly in construction, the kodachi and the wakizashi are similar enough in size and technique that the terms are sometimes (mis)used interchangeably. While the kodachi was a set length, the wakizashi was forged to complement the height of its wielder or the length of the katanait was paired with, and thus varied. The kodachi also features greater curvature than a wakizashi, and typically has a longer handle.
The kodachi has also been said (Rurouni Kenshin vol. 4, by Nobuhiro Watsuki) to be a medium length sword, shorter than a katana but longer than a wakazashi, with easy manueverability making for higher defensive capacity. It is known as the 'shield-sword', the o- (long) wakazashi, or naga- (long) wakazashi.
The prefix "ko-" means "short," and can be attached to any of the names of specific types of swords to indicate something shorter than "normal." As the prefix "ō-" can mean "great" or "long," it follows that the opposite end of this length spectrum of the tachi is the ōdachi.
If you are paying points for the kodachi, consider a 'semi-personal' focus- stats as above for everyone except you- +3 CV for you, same price.