Samurai warriors typically carried a wakizashi as their secondary sword, rather than a tanto. The wakizashi is a traditional Japanese sword with a curved blade, similar in design to the katana but shorter in length, typically ranging from 30 to 60 centimeters (12-24 inches).

The wakizashi served as a companion sword to the katana and was worn alongside it by samurai. It was an important symbol of a samurai's social status and was part of a matched set of swords called the daisho, which translates to "big-little." The daisho consisted of the katana and the wakizashi.

The wakizashi had multiple purposes and uses for the samurai. It served as a backup weapon if the primary katana was lost, damaged, or unsheathed. It was also employed in close-quarters combat or indoor settings, where the longer katana might be unwieldy. The wakizashi was particularly useful for swift and precise strikes, and its shorter length made it more manageable in confined spaces.

Additionally, the wakizashi had ceremonial and symbolic significance. It was considered a personal weapon and represented a samurai's honor and social standing. The quality and craftsmanship of the wakizashi were often on par with that of the katana, reflecting the samurai's status.

While tanto, a shorter dagger or knife, was also used by samurai, it was not as prevalent as the wakizashi in their standard armament. Tanto were often carried by individuals in non-samurai roles, such as merchants or commoners, as tools and self-defense weapons.

In summary, samurai typically carried a wakizashi as their secondary sword, complementing their primary katana. The wakizashi played a crucial role as a backup weapon, a weapon for close-quarters combat, and a symbol of the samurai's social status.