Assassin's Creed Shadows finally took the series to feudal Japan, and it brought some of the most beautiful blades in the franchise with it. If you've been swinging Naoe's tantō and Yasuke's blades around Japan and wondered what the difference between a katana, a wakizashi and a tantō actually is, this one's for you.
Here's our guide to the Japanese blades of Assassin's Creed Shadows: what they are, how they were used, and how we turned two of them into officially licensed replicas.
Assassin's Creed Shadows in a nutshell
Set in late-16th-century Japan during the turbulent Sengoku period, Assassin's Creed Shadows follows two very different heroes:
- Naoe, a shinobi from Iga Province: quick, quiet and deadly from the shadows.
- Yasuke, based on the real historical figure: an African samurai who served the warlord Oda Nobunaga, and who brings raw power to every fight.
Two styles, two sets of weapons, and some very special blades.
Katana, wakizashi and tantō: what's the difference?
Japanese swords are traditionally grouped by blade length, measured in shaku (one shaku is about 30cm):
- Tantō: blades under one shaku, so under about 30cm. A dagger or short knife, used for close work and carried as a sidearm.
- Wakizashi: blades between one and two shaku, roughly 30–60cm. The samurai's short sword.
- Katana: blades over two shaku, more than about 60cm. The samurai's main sword, worn edge-up through the sash.
Samurai often wore a katana and a wakizashi together as a matched pair called the daishō, meaning "big and small". The pairing became a symbol of samurai status. The tantō, meanwhile, was carried by samurai and others alike, and was also wielded with remarkable skill by the onna-musha, the warrior women of feudal Japan.
Anatomy of a Japanese blade
A few terms that come up again and again, and that you'll spot on our replicas:
- Tsuba: the guard between blade and handle, often beautifully decorated.
- Tsuka: the handle, traditionally wrapped over rayskin (samegawa) for grip.
- Menuki: small ornaments set under the handle wrap, both decorative and helping the grip.
- Saya: the scabbard.
Naoe's Tantō
Naoe's tantō is the shinobi's blade: small, fast and precise. Our Naoe's Tantō is the only officially licensed replica of it. We designed it from in-game artwork, including concept art and 3D models we had exclusive access to before the game's release. We then applied our knowledge of historical weaponry, so it's a well-made piece in its own right as well as an accurate one. It has a beautifully wrapped faux rayskin handle and ornate menuki.
Yasuke's Wakizashi
For the samurai, a wakizashi was the constant companion to the katana, worn at the side even indoors. Our Yasuke's Wakizashi is made from the same exclusive in-game artwork. It features an intricately wrapped faux rayskin handle and saya, custom menuki, and a tsuba inspired by the game, fit for the African samurai who stood beside Nobunaga.
Where it all began: the Sword of Altaïr
Our first ever Assassin's Creed replica went right back to the start. The Sword of Altaïr recreates the arming sword from the original 2007 Assassin's Creed at 1:1 scale. We built it from more than 200 references and hundreds of hours of gameplay, reverse-engineering it from low-res polygons and pixels.
See all three together in our Assassin's Creed sword replicas.
More for the Brotherhood
- Our officially licensed Assassin's Creed collection, including hip flasks for Black Flag, Odyssey and Shadows.
- The Assassin's Creed Hip Flask Gift Set: a ready-to-give present for any fellow assassin.
Assassin's Creed Shadows sword FAQs
What's the difference between a wakizashi and a tantō?
Length and role. A tantō has a blade under about 30cm and is essentially a dagger; a wakizashi runs roughly 30–60cm and is a short sword, traditionally paired with the katana.
What is a daishō?
The matched pair of katana and wakizashi worn together by samurai. The name means "big and small".
Was Yasuke a real person?
Yes. Yasuke was a real African man who served Oda Nobunaga in the 16th century and is often described as Japan's first foreign-born samurai.
Are Raven Forge's Assassin's Creed swords officially licensed?
Yes. They're officially licensed Assassin's Creed replicas, designed by Raven Forge as part of our Legends Collection. You must be 18 or over to buy them.
