Tanto

The Tanto: Japan’s Smallest Traditional Sword

The Tanto is the smallest of the traditional Japanese swords, featuring a blade typically around 12 inches long with a gentle curve, less pronounced than that of a Katana or Wakizashi. Lightweight and discreet, the Tanto was often tucked into the obi (belt) of a samurai’s kimono, providing an easily accessible yet concealed weapon.

Some samurai would even wear the Tanto within the folds of their kimono, making it nearly invisible to an enemy—an ideal choice for close-quarters defence or swift, subtle attacks when necessary. The Tanto also held a significant place in the ritual of seppuku, the samurai honour suicide. In this act, a samurai would make a precise horizontal cut just above the navel, seeking redemption for a dishonourable action or as an alternative to obeying a morally conflicting command.