Often considered the definitive Japanese sword, tachi with their gently curving blades appeared in the eleventh century during the late Heian period (794–1185). In the sixteenth century, during the Sengoku period (1467–1615), large-scale infantry engagements became the main method of combat and uchigatana became widespread since they were lighter and easier to draw than tachi swords. Wakizashi is a similar type but with a shorter blade than uchigatana.