Thanks Spiral,
I sourced info on the web, the longer is almost definately used as a weapon. Not only as a whip 'weapon' but also in a 'fencing style', thrusting at the eyes.... painful
. The shorter but similar one, could , apparently, also be classed as a Sjambok. As with swords, a long sword would be inaffective in a confined space. Hence the reason for Samurai carrying two swords, a katana in an alley way would not be as effective compared to the shorter wakizashi, or the even shorter tanto .
Has anyone any ideas as to value, I'm thinking of flogging (sorry
) one or two of them.