I have seen a show about feudal Japan (yes ben-banned, it's Ruroni Kenshin) and someone used whats called a kodachi, or midsized sword, which was longer than a wakishazi and shorter than a Katana, which was used mainly as a defensive means, it was also called the Sheild Sword. In a book I read once a character used a Nodachi. Based on thte Kodachi, I would say that a Nodachi was longer than a katana and shorter than a dai-katana. Does anyone have more extensive knowledge about this? Just something I thought would be a cool topic

"No-dachi: Huge japanese sword, sometimes as long as 1,8 meter, exclusively used for fighting, seldom decorated. Usually carried in a sheath hanged on soldier's back."

- Encyclopedia of weapons and armour

Yea, I found out what I need to know now, thnx for all the help. Kodachis are swords thare shorter than a katana and longer than a wakizashi, and is used mainly for defense and speed. The Nodachi is a blade that is carried or worn across the back and used to kill horses and penetrate armor. It was longer than a katana, but shorter than a Dai-katana.