Daisho

Daisho means a pair of large and small and it relates to the long swords and short swords carried by the Japanese Samurai warrior class. The long sword was the katana fighting sword and the short sword was the wakizashi sword which was used as a secondary sword in fighting or as a ceremonial sword used in ceremonial suicide. When entering one's house the long sword was always left in the vestibule and the short sword was laid down on a mat at the owner's right side. This was meant to show respect for the owner.