tanto
Tanto 短刀) is a Japanese knife that began to appear widely during the Heian period (794-1185). A short dagger with a single-edged blade, the length of the blade is usually between 15 and 30 cm. The tanto was used for self-defense by common folk, but also as a secondary weapon for samurai. It was often carried along with the katana and wakizashi in what is known as a daiicho set. The tanto was designed for stabbing and piercing armor, but also for other purposes such as cutting, slicing and slicing. It was also often used in seppuku, a ritual suicide performed by samurai and others in Japan.
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This knife was originally designed for stabbing and close combat. Historically, the tanto was often carried by samurai as part of their personal armor and in a set called a daishō (along with a katana or wakizashi). The tanto blade tends to be sturdy and solid, sometimes with a distinctive curve or characteristic hamon (line of hardening) that enhances the aesthetics and durability of the knife.
The tanto was used not only as a combat weapon, but also as a tool for ritual suicide (seppuku), similar to the wakizashi. Due to its compact size and versatility, the tanto found use not only among samurai, but also as a practical and elegant tool for everyday use. Today's tanto knives are popular in modern design due to their strength, often made from high carbon or damascene steels, and are popular for their sharp and durable blades.
Today, Tanto is a popular collector's item, but it is also still used in martial arts training, such as iaido or kenjutsu.
