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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 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.
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 for '']'' (ritual suicide) by slashing the veins in the left side of the neck.<ref>''The complete encyclopedia of arms & weapons: the most comprehensive reference work ever published on arms and armor'', Claude Blair, Publisher Bonanza Books, 1986, ISBN 0517487764, 9780517487761 P.306</ref> 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 for jigai (ritual suicide) by slashing the veins in the left side of the neck. 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.
The complete encyclopedia of arms & weapons: the most comprehensive reference work ever published on arms and armor, Claude Blair, Publisher Bonanza Books, 1986, ISBN 0517487764, 9780517487761 P.306
Nishio Minoru, Iwabuchi Etsutarō, Mizutani Shizuo, ed. (1985). Iwanami Kokugo Jiten (in Japanese) (3 ed.). Tokyo: Iwanami Shoten. p. 155. ISBN4-00-080003-5. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |origmonth=, |month=, |chapterurl=, |origdate=, and |coauthors= (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link)
