Vintage panel with daisyo, two samurai swords. "Daisho" are two swords, a wakizashi (small) and a katana (long), which samurai carried in pairs. (Translated as "long and short" or "big and small swords.") Japan, the twentieth century. The swords are located in the lower part, the upper part is decorated with commemorative inscriptions and decorative Asian-themed medallions. There are medallions with the image of black oriental dragons on the edges. The swords were both in use, the wakizashi was a personal weapon, used when there was no need to use a katana. It was worn in a scabbard, so that the length of the blade was not visible. Wakizashi was always with the samurai. Small swords were often called swords of the last honor, it was used for ritual hara-kiri when there was no special dagger. Swords are usually shown with the blade facing up, imitating the way they are worn.