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A {{Nihongo|'''''kaiken'''''|懐剣||extra=prior to modern orthographic reform ''kwaiken''; also ''futokoro-gatana''}} is a ] formerly carried by men and women of the ] class in ]. It was useful for self-defense indoors where the long '']'' and intermediate '']'' were inconvenient. Women carried them in the'']'' for self-defense and rarely for '']'' (suicide). A woman received a ''kaiken'' as part of her wedding gifts. Many of these daggers had black-lacquered handles and matching scabbards. They could be carried in a pouch of brocade with a drawstring for easy access.
A {{Nihongo|'''''kaiken'''''|懐剣||extra=prior to modern orthographic reform ''kwaiken''; also ''futokoro-gatana''}} is a ] formerly carried by men and women of the ] class in ]. It was useful for self-defense indoors where the long '']'' and intermediate '']'' were inconvenient. Women carried them in their ] or in the sleeve of their ] <ref></ref>for self-defense and rarely for '']'' (suicide). A woman received a ''kaiken'' as part of her wedding gifts. Many of these daggers had black-lacquered handles and matching scabbards. They could be carried in a pouch of brocade with a drawstring for easy access.
In modern times, kaiken have become part of the traditional Japanese marriage, being one of the items carried by a bride for good luck.
In modern times, kaiken have become part of the traditional Japanese marriage, being one of the items carried by a bride for good luck.
A kaiken (懐剣, prior to modern orthographic reform kwaiken; also futokoro-gatana) is a dagger formerly carried by men and women of the samurai class in Japan. It was useful for self-defense indoors where the long katana and intermediate wakizashi were inconvenient. Women carried them in their obi (sash) or in the sleeve of their kimono for self-defense and rarely for jigai (suicide). A woman received a kaiken as part of her wedding gifts. Many of these daggers had black-lacquered handles and matching scabbards. They could be carried in a pouch of brocade with a drawstring for easy access.
In modern times, kaiken have become part of the traditional Japanese marriage, being one of the items carried by a bride for good luck.