Tantō
| Tantō | |
|---|---|
Tantō with signature (mei) of Shintōgo Kunimitsu. Complete aikuchi-style koshirae (mountings) and bare blade. Kamakura Period, 14th century. Important Cultural Property. | |
| Type | Japanese sword |
| Production history | |
| Produced | Heian period (794–1185) to present |
| Specifications | |
| Blade length | approx. 15–30 cm (5.9–11.8 in) |
| Blade type | Double or single edged, straight bladed |
A tantō (短刀, 'short blade') is a traditionally made Japanese knife (nihontō) that was worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan. The tantō dates to the Heian period, when it was mainly used as a weapon but evolved in design over the years to become more ornate. Tantō were used in traditional martial arts (tantojutsu) and in the seppuku suicide ritual. The term has seen a resurgence in the West since the 1980s as referring to a point style of modern tactical knives, designed for piercing or stabbing, though the style is not present on any traditional tantō.
A Tanto knife may refer to an American style of blade based of the Japanese tantō, usually with a squared rather than curved tip.