Tantō

File:Tanto sword, by Sadamune, Kamakura period, 1300s AD - Tokyo National Museum - Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan - DSC08808.jpg. Kamakura period. National Treasure. Tokyo National Museum.]]

The {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} is a single or double edged dagger with a length between {{convert|6|and|12|in|cm|order=flip|0|abbr=on}} (1 Japanese {{transliteration|ja|shaku}}). The {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} was designed primarily as a stabbing weapon, but the edge can be used for slashing as well.

{{transliteration|ja|Tantō}} are generally forged in the {{nihongo||平造|hira-zukuri}} style (without a ridgeline),[http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/styles.html Styles in the Shape of Blades] meaning that their sides have no ridge line and are nearly flat, unlike the {{nihongo||鎬造|shinogi-zukuri}} structure of a katana. Some {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} have particularly thick cross-sections for armor-piercing duty, and are called {{transliteration|ja|yoroi toshi}}.

{{transliteration|ja|Tantō}} were mostly carried by samurai; commoners did not generally wear them. Women sometimes carried a small {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} called a {{transliteration|ja|kaiken}}[http://www.ksky.ne.jp/~sumie99/kaiken.html Kaiken] in their {{transliteration|ja|obi}}, primarily for self-defense. {{transliteration|ja|Tantō}} were sometimes worn as the {{nihongo||小刀|shōtō}} in place of a {{transliteration|ja|wakizashi}} in a {{transliteration|ja|daishō}},[https://books.google.com/books?id=vFS2iT8QjqEC&dq=daisho+tanto&pg=PA68 The Japanese Sword, Kanzan Satō, Kodansha International, 1983 P.68][https://books.google.com/books?id=BGxQeTMnPzQC&dq=samurai+daisho&pg=PA106 Shotokan's Secret: The Hidden Truth Behind Karate's Fighting Origins, Bruce D. Clayton, Black Belt Communications, 2004 P106] especially on the battlefield. Before the advent of the {{transliteration|ja|wakizashi/tantō}} combination, it was common for a samurai to carry a {{transliteration|ja|tachi}} and a {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} as opposed to a katana and a {{transliteration|ja|wakizashi}}.

It has been noted that the {{transliteration|ja|tachi}} would be paired with a {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} and later the katana would be paired with another shorter katana. With the advent of the katana, the {{transliteration|ja|wakizashi}} was eventually chosen by samurai as the short sword of choice over the {{transliteration|ja|tantō}}. Kanzan Satō, in his book The Japanese Sword, notes that there did not seem to be any particular need for the {{transliteration|ja|wakizashi}}, and suggests that the {{transliteration|ja|wakizashi}} may have become more popular than the {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} due to the {{transliteration|ja|wakizashi}} being more suited for indoor fighting. He mentions the custom of leaving the katana at the door of a castle or palace when entering while continuing to wear the {{transliteration|ja|wakizashi}} inside.[https://books.google.com/books?id=vFS2iT8QjqEC&dq=daisho&pg=PA68 The Japanese Sword, Kanzan Satō, Kodansha International, 1983 P.68]

The production of swords in Japan is divided into specific time periods:

• Jōkotō (ancient swords, until around 900 AD)
• Kotō (old swords from around 900–1596)
• Shintō (new swords 1596–1780)
• Shinshintō (new new swords 1781–1876)
• Gendaitō (modern swords 1876–1945){{cite book |author=Clive Sinclaire |title=Samurai: The Weapons and Spirit of the Japanese Warrior |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IQ3FAZG94ZsC&pg=PA40 |date=1 November 2004 |publisher=Lyons Press |isbn=978-1-59228-720-8 |pages=40–58 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• Shinsakutō (newly made swords 1953–present){{cite book|author=トム岸田 |title=靖国刀 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z6oB6eFRjZkC&pg=PA42|date=24 September 2004 |publisher=Kodansha International |isbn=978-4-7700-2754-2 |page=42}}

File:Blade and mounting for a tantō Soshu Yukimitsu. 国宝の短刀 相州行光 (上) その拵の瑞雲文蒔絵合口 (下).jpg. National Treasure (top). Mounting for a {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} made by Soshu Yukimitsu. Edo period (bottom), Tokyo National Museum]]

File:Tantō Hyuga Masamune with koshirae, 短刀 日向正宗.jpg with koshirae (mounting) and kumihimo cord, National Treasure, Mitsui Memorial Museum]]

The {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} was invented partway through the Heian period. With the beginning of the Kamakura period, {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} were forged to be more aesthetically pleasing, and {{transliteration|ja|hira}} and {{transliteration|ja|uchi-sori tantō}} became the most popular styles. Near the middle of the Kamakura period, more {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} artisans were seen, increasing the abundance of the weapon, and the {{transliteration|ja|kanmuri-otoshi}} style became prevalent in the cities of Kyoto and Yamato. Because of the style introduced by the {{transliteration|ja|tachi}} in the late Kamakura period, {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} began to be forged longer and wider. The introduction of the Hachiman faith became visible in the carvings in the hilts around this time. The {{transliteration|ja|hamon}} (line of temper) is similar to that of the {{transliteration|ja|tachi}}, except for the absence of {{transliteration|ja|choji-midare}}, which is {{transliteration|ja|nioi}} and {{transliteration|ja|utsuri}}. {{transliteration|ja|Gunomi-midare}} and {{transliteration|ja|suguha}} are found to have taken its place.

During the era of the Northern and Southern Courts, the {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} were forged to be up to {{convert|40|cm}} in length, as opposed to the normal one {{transliteration|ja|shaku}} (about {{cvt|30|cm}}) length. The blades became thinner between the {{transliteration|ja|ura}} and the {{transliteration|ja|omote}}, and wider between the {{transliteration|ja|ha}} and {{transliteration|ja|mune}}. At this point in time, two styles of {{transliteration|ja|hamon}} were prevalent: the older style, which was subtle and artistic, and the newer, more popular style. With the beginning of the Muromachi period, constant fighting caused the mass production of blades, meaning that with higher demand, lower-quality blades were manufactured. Blades that were custom-forged still were of exceptional quality, but the average blade suffered greatly. As the end of the period neared, the average blade narrowed and the curvature shallowed.{{cite book|title=The Japanese Sword; Volume 12 of Japanese arts library |first=Kanzan |last=Satō |editor= Joe Earle |pages=62–64|publisher= Kodansha International|year= 1983 |isbn =978-0-87011-562-2}}

Katana originate from {{nihongo||刺刀|sasuga}}, a kind of {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} used by lower-ranking samurai who fought on foot in the Kamakura period. Their main weapon was a long {{transliteration|ja|naginata}}, with the {{transliteration|ja|sasuga}} as a spare weapon. In the Nanboku-chō period, which corresponds to the early Muromachi period, long weapons such as {{transliteration|ja|ōdachi}} were popular, and along with this, the {{transliteration|ja|sasuga}} lengthened, taking its form as the katana.歴史人 September 2020. p40. {{ASIN|B08DGRWN98}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20201117093425/https://www.touken-world.jp/word/word/page/4/ List of terms related to Japanese swords "Sasuga".] Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum Touken World.

File:Tanto Hōraisan Kotetsu.jpg is one of the {{transliteration|ja|Nihon santō}}.]]

Approximately 250 years of peace accompanied the unification of Japan, in which there was little need for blades. In this period, both the katana and {{transliteration|ja|wakizashi}} were invented, taking the place of the {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} and {{transliteration|ja|tachi}} as the most-used pair of weapons, and the number of {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} forged was severely decreased.Satō (1983) p. 68 Since this period, {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} have often been carved with splendid decorations. Of the {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} and {{transliteration|ja|wakizashi}} forged during this period, three masterpieces are called the {{nihongo3|Three Blades in Japan||Nihon santō}}.[https://web.archive.org/web/20201110031603/https://bijutsutecho.com/exhibitions/6771 崇高なる造形－日本刀 名刀と名作から識る武士の美学－.] Bijutsu techō

File:Tanto Hasebe Kunishige.jpg (top); {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} mounting, late Edo period (bottom).]]

There were still a few {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} being forged during the late Edo period, and the ones that were forged reflected the work of the Kamakura, Nambokucho, or Muromachi eras. Suishinshi Masahide was a main contributor towards the forging of {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} during this age. There were now only {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} predating the Edo period being used in combat; {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} forged during the late Edo period were not combative weapons.

File:Tantō koshirae from the Bakumatsu or Meiji era (19th century).jpg in the style of a short wakizashi from the Bakumatsu or Meiji era (19th century), Mitsui Memorial Museum]]

Many {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} were forged before World War II, due to the restoration of the Emperor to power. Members of the Imperial Court began wearing the set of {{transliteration|ja|tachi}} and {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} once more, and the number of {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} in existence increased dramatically. After World War II, a restriction on sword forging caused {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} manufacture to fall drastically.{{cite book|title=Samurai: The Weapons and Spirit of the Japanese Warrior|first=Clive|last=Sinclaire|page=[https://archive.org/details/samuraiweaponssp0000sinc/page/59 59]|publisher=Globe Pequot|year=2004|isbn=978-1-59228-720-8|url=https://archive.org/details/samuraiweaponssp0000sinc/page/59}}

{{transliteration|ja|Tantō}} remained in use among twentieth century yakuza (gangsters) since they could be carried as a concealed weapon more easily than a katana. A {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} is also traditionally used in the yubitsume ritual (cutting off part of a finger as an act of submission or atonement).

American and European interest in Japanese martial arts since the war created a demand for the {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} outside Japan from the 1960s through the present time.

{{Clear}}

File:Tanto blade styles.svg

• {{nihongo||平|Hira}}: A very common {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} form with no {{transliteration|ja|shinogi}}, the edge bevels reaching all the way from the edge ({{transliteration|ja|ha}}) to the back ({{transliteration|ja|mune}}) with no separate flats in between, creating an almost triangular cross-section (the back is ridged, as on most other blade forms, so the cross-section is actually an extremely asymmetrical diamond shape; on {{transliteration|ja|shinogi zukuri}} blades it is hexagonal). It is extremely common due to the simplicity of its design.
• {{nihongo||鎬|Shinogi}}: This is the most common type of blade geometry for long swords, but {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} made in this form are very rare, usually created from cut-down blades when a longer sword has been broken. {{transliteration|ja|Shinogi}} means the central ridge that runs along the length of the blade between the edge bevels and the body of the blade.
• {{transliteration|ja|Osoraku}}: {{transliteration|ja|Osoraku zukuri}} feature an extremely long {{transliteration|ja|o-kissaki}} type point, over half the blade's length.
• {{nihongo||菖蒲|Shōbu}}: A common blade type that is very similar to the {{transliteration|ja|shinogi zukuri}}, except that it lacks a {{transliteration|ja|yokote}}, the distinct angle between the long cutting edge and the point section, and instead the edge curves smoothly and uninterrupted into the point.
• {{nihongo||鵜首|Unokubi}}: An uncommon {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} style akin to the {{transliteration|ja|kanmuri-otoshi}}, with a back that grows abruptly thinner around the middle of the blade; however, the {{transliteration|ja|unokubi zukuri}} regains its thickness just before the point. There is normally a short, wide groove extending to the midway point on the blade.
• {{transliteration|ja|Kanmuri-otoshi}}: These {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} were shaped in the {{transliteration|ja|hira}} or {{transliteration|ja|shōbu}} style, but from about halfway to the tip the back edge was sharpened though this second edge was not particularly sharp. They had a groove running halfway up the blade and were similar to the {{transliteration|ja|unokubi}}-style {{transliteration|ja|tantō}}.
• {{nihongo||切先両刃|Kissaki-moroha}}: A rare blade type with a double-edged point. Unlike the later {{transliteration|ja|kanmuri-otoshi}} the tip had a distinct shape unlike any other {{transliteration|ja|tantō}}: the back edge would curve slightly downwards so that the point was lower than the back of the blade whereas other {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} had the point in line with the back of the blade. Often they had a wide groove in the base half. The most well known historical blade of this type is the {{transliteration|ja|tachi}} Kogarasu Maru, "Little Crow", one of the National Treasures of Japan.
• {{nihongo||両刃|Moroha}}: A rare, double-edged {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} type that has a diamond-shaped cross-section. The blade tapers to a point and contains a {{transliteration|ja|shinogi}} that runs to the point.
• {{nihongo||鎧通し|Yoroi tōshi|extra=or {{transliteration|ja|yoroi dōshi}}}}: {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} that have particularly thick cross-sections for armor-piercing duty.
• {{nihongo||片切刃|Katakiriha}}: An asymmetric {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} form, sharpened only on one side to create a chisel-shaped cross-section.
• {{nihongo||首切り|Kubikiri}}: A very rare type; the sharpened blade is on the inside curve rather than the outside. It has no sharpened point, making it difficult to use in battle and enshrouding the weapon in mystery. {{transliteration|ja|Kubikiri}} means {{gloss|head cutter}}. According to one myth, they were carried by attendants of samurai for cutting off the heads of fallen enemies. There are other speculations existing about the {{transliteration|ja|kubikiri}}'s possible uses. Perhaps they were used by doctors or carried by high-ranking officials as a badge is worn today. They could also have been used for cutting charcoal or incense, or used as an artistic tool for pruning bonsai trees.{{Cite web |url=http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/unji.htm |title=Unusual tantō |access-date=5 December 2006 |archive-date=23 March 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020323021558/http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/unji.htm |url-status=dead }}
• {{nihongo||包丁形|Hōchōgata}}: A {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} form that is commonly described as a short, wide, {{transliteration|ja|hira}}. The {{transliteration|ja|hōchōgata}} ({{gloss|kitchen knife-shaped}}) was one of the blade type that the legendary swordsmith Masamune favored.

File:Antique Japanese tanto, British museum.jpg and Kogai, British Museum]]

• {{nihongo||合口|Aikuchi}}: The {{transliteration|ja|aikuchi}} is a {{transliteration|ja|tantō koshirae}} where the {{transliteration|ja|fuchi}} is flush with the mouth of the sheath. There is no handguard. {{transliteration|ja|Aikuchi}} normally have plain wooden hilts, and many forms of {{transliteration|ja|aikuchi}} have {{transliteration|ja|kashira}} that are made from animal horns.
• {{transliteration|ja|Hamidashi}}: The {{transliteration|ja|hamidashi}} is a {{transliteration|ja|tantō koshirae}} that features a small handguard.

A popular style of blade, known simply as a Tanto in the US and Europe, is similar in style to the Tantō except that the tip is squared at a shearing angle instead of curved.

The shearing angle may facilitate the stabbing effectiveness of the blade, and make the process of sharpening simpler.

File:American_Tanto.jpg

This style of blade is commercially popular, and was used by CIA field agents in the wake of 9/11.{{Cite web |title=Operation JAWBREAKER Knife - CIA |url=https://www.cia.gov/legacy/museum/artifact/operation-jawbreaker-knife/ |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=www.cia.gov}}{{Cite journal |last=Moeller |first=Jason |date=2007-05-01 |title=Soldiers Without Uniforms: CIA Paramilitary Operations in Afghanistan |url=https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/1424/ |journal=MSU Graduate Theses}}

The Bundeswehr is among the few militaries (if not the only) that issues a "tantō"-style military knife in significant numbers. It is designated as the KM2000.

Image:Kwaiken tanto.JPG

• {{transliteration|ja|Kaiken tantō}}: The {{transliteration|ja|kuaiken}} (also {{transliteration|ja|kwaiken}} or {{transliteration|ja|futokoro-gatana}}) is a generally short {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} that is commonly carried in {{transliteration|ja|aikuchi}} or {{transliteration|ja|shirasaya}} mounts. It was useful for self-defense indoors where the long katana and intermediate {{transliteration|ja|wakizashi}} were inconvenient. Women carried them in the obi for self-defense and rarely for {{transliteration|ja|jigai}} (ritual suicide). A woman received a {{transliteration|ja|kaiken}} as part of her wedding gifts.
• Fan {{transliteration|ja|tantō}}: The fan {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} is a common {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} with a blade entirely concealed within a fan-shaped scabbard. The blade was usually low quality, as this {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} was not designed to be a display piece, but rather a concealed weapon for self-defense.
• {{transliteration|ja|Yari tantō}}: Japanese spearheads were often altered so that it became possible to mount them as {{transliteration|ja|tantō}}. Unlike most blades, {{transliteration|ja|yari tantō}} had triangular cross-sections.
• {{transliteration|ja|Ken tantō}}: This is also not truly a {{transliteration|ja|tantō}}, though it is often used and thought of as one. {{transliteration|ja|Ken}} were straight, double-edged blades often used for Buddhist rituals, and could be made from spearheads that were broken or cut shorter. They were often given as offerings from sword smiths when they visited a temple. The hilt of the {{transliteration|ja|ken tantō}} may be found made with a vajra (double thunderbolt related to Buddhism).{{Citation needed|date=December 2010}}
• Modern {{transliteration|ja|tantō}}: Modern tactical knives have been made by knife makers Bob Lum, Phill Hartsfield, Ernest Emerson, Allen Elishewitz, Bob Terzuola, Strider Knives, Harold J. "Kit" Carson, Benchmade, Camillus Cutlery Company, Spyderco, Severtech, Ka-Bar, SOG Knives, Columbia River Knife & Tool, and Cold Steel.{{cite book | last = Pacella | first = Gerard | title = 100 Legendary Knives | publisher = Krause Publications| year = 2002| pages = 124–126| isbn = 0-87349-417-2}} These "American {{transliteration|ja|tantō}}" designs which are often folding knives, feature a thick spine on the blade that goes from the tang to the tip for increased tip strength.{{cite web|url=http://faq.customtacticals.com/geometry/shape_amtanto.php|title=American Tanto - Blade Geometry Knife FAQ|publisher=faq.customtacticals.com|access-date=2014-05-27}} The handle shape may be altered slightly to provide better ergonomics.{{cite journal | last = Steele| first = David| title = Japanese Daggers| journal = Black Belt| volume = 19| issue = 2| pages =55–60 | publisher = Black Belt, Inc.| year = 1981 }}

{{transliteration|ja|Tantō}} with blunt wooden or blunt plastic blades are used to practice martial arts. Versions with a blunt metal blade are used in more advanced training and in demonstrations. Martial arts that employ the {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} include:

{{div col}}

• Aikido
• Aikijutsu
• Jujutsu
• Wadō-ryū (both {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} and katana)
• Koryu bujutsu
• Ninjutsu
• Shorinji Kempo
• Modern Arnis (taking place of dagger)

{{div col end}}

• {{transliteration|ja|Tantō}} can be seen in many jidaigeki and chanbara films, especially those depicting seppuku, such as Harakiri (1962).
• {{transliteration|ja|Tantō}} also appear in many yakuza films, where they are used in fights and stabbings among yakuza, and in the yubitsume (finger-cutting) ritual. Examples include Kinji Fukasaku's many yakuza films of the 1970s, and the Hollywood film The Yakuza (1974).
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles features {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} knives used by April O'Neil, Leonardo, and Splinter in the 2012 version, and also by the Shredder in the 1990 version and Karai in the 2003 version.
• {{transliteration|ja|Tantō}} appear in many video games set in Japan, such as the 2020 samurai themed game Ghost of Tsushima, in which the protagonist uses a {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} for stealth kills.
• The 2012 video game Hitman: Absolution enables players to pick up and use a weapon called the 'Agency Tanto Knife' on levels where Agent 47 fights a rogue sect of his employers, the International Contract Agency
• In the light novel series, Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?, the Greek deity Hephaestus crafted the Hestia Knife, divine knife designed after a Tanto which became Bell Cranel's signature weapon.
• A tanto is a possible weapon of Fujibayashi Naoe in Assassin's Creed Shadows.

{{Gallery

|align=center

|width=200

|height=155

|Image:Tanto - Yoshimitsu.jpg|{{transliteration|ja|Tantō Atsushi Tōshirō}}, by Awataguchi Yoshimitsu. 13th century, Kamakura period. National Treasure. Tokyo National Museum

|File:Tantō Minamoto Kiyomaro.jpg|A {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} forged by Minamoto Kiyomaro (left), {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} mounting (right). Late Edo period.

|File:Hilt of tantō.jpg|Hilt ({{transliteration|ja|tsuka}}) and handguard ({{transliteration|ja|tsuba}}) of {{transliteration|ja|tantō}}. Late Edo period.

|File:Mounting for a tantō.jpg|{{transliteration|ja|Tantō}} mounting. Edo or Meiji period. The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

|Image:Yari tanto.JPG|Edo period {{transliteration|ja|yari}} (spear) {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} in {{transliteration|ja|koshirae}}. A spearhead converted to use as a {{transliteration|ja|tantō}}.

|Image:Yari tanto 1.JPG|Edo period {{transliteration|ja|yari tantō}}. A {{transliteration|ja|yari}} (spear) converted to use as a {{transliteration|ja|tantō}}.

|Image:Fan tanto.JPG|A {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} disguised as a fan

|Image:Ken tanto.JPG|{{transliteration|ja|Ken tantō}}, a double-edged straight sword in wooden mounts {{transliteration|ja|shirasaya}}|Image:Aikuchi tanto.JPG|Edo period {{transliteration|ja|tantō}} with an {{transliteration|ja|aikuchi}} mounting}}

• List of daggers
• Fighting knife
• Japanese sword

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category multi|Tanto|Nihonto}}

• [https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/index.php Nihonto forum]
• [http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/glossary.htm Japanese Sword Index and Visual Glossary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011107020406/http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/glossary.htm |date=7 November 2001 }}

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