The term refers to a pair of short and long swords. People have carried pairs of swords since ancient times, but it’s usually understood to mean a daisho pair of identically decorated sets. This mainly applies to the period of long peace between the 17th and 19th centuries.
Swords were almost no longer used as weapons. They became a symbol of the samurai social class. The BUSHIDO code was created, which required samurai to carry two swords and elevated them to the status of the SOUL OF THE SAMURAI.
Beautifully decorated pairs of utility swords were created, characterized by shiny lacquer and large amounts of precious metals—gold, silver, and shakudo. However, the quality of the weapons declined, especially in the 19th century.