A tanto is a traditionally made Japanese knife that was worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan. It dates to the Heian period, when it was mainly used as a weapon, and its design evolved over the years to become more ornate. Tanto were used in traditional martial arts and in the seppuku suicide ritual. The term has seen a resurgence in the West since the 1980s, referring to a point style of modern tactical knives designed for piercing or stabbing, though this style is not present on any traditional tanto.
Facts
Weapon Class Introduced Year Classification
Service Status Weapon Class
Weapon Class (category)Sword / Polearm / Bladed 1 Connections
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Originated In
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Source Wikipedia: TantōLeadQuote, Lead
A tantō (短刀, 'short blade') is a traditionally made Japanese knife (nihontō) that was worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Tantō
Infobox, type
Japanese sword
- Weapon class (sword-polearm-blade) is a pre-industrial/melee weapon type by its own nature per the entity's own sourced description text; not carried in current active military service.
View the Source2. Wikipedia: Tantō
Lead section
A tantō (短刀, 'short blade') is a traditionally made Japanese knife (nihontō) that was worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan.
Infobox: production_date
Heian period (794-1185) to present
Operated By: Samurai, Article text
Tantō were mostly carried by samurai; commoners did not generally wear them.
In Group: Medieval Swords and Sabres, Infobox: type
Japanese sword
View the SourceWikidata: Tantō
Wikidata Q654077, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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