Why do certain captain-level Shinigami wield small zanpakuto?


In Bleach, it is stated that the size of Shinigami's zanpakuto (sword) is
based on their spiritual ability.

However, many strong Shinigami have smaller swords. Sui-Feng, for example, has
a zanpakuto that resembles a wakizashi, which is a relatively small sword. Why
does this happen?




Because a shinigami's sword isn't based on their spiritual ability _alone_.

It also depends on the amount of control they have over their power. Ichigo's
sword was larger, but it was also brittle, out of focus if you may.

> Ichigo's father [stated](https://i.stack.imgur.com/eIAEe.jpg) that a huge
> zanpakuto means nothing, and that if they had no control, all captains would
> have skyscraper sized zanpakuto.




Because a shinigami's sword isn't based on their spiritual ability _alone_.

It also depends on the amount of control they have over their power. Ichigo's
sword was larger, but it was also brittle, out of focus if you may.

> Ichigo's father [stated](https://i.stack.imgur.com/eIAEe.jpg) that a huge
> zanpakuto means nothing, and that if they had no control, all captains would
> have skyscraper sized zanpakuto.

