Wikipedia

Tantō

Atantō(Đoản đao,'short blade')[1]is a traditionally made Japanese knife[2](nihontō)[3][4]that were worn by thesamuraiclass of feudal Japan. Thetantōdates to theHeian period,when it was mainly used as a weapon but evolved in design over the years to become more ornate.Tantōwere used in traditional martial arts (tantojutsu) and in theseppukusuicide ritual. The term has seen a resurgence in the West since the 1980s as referring to a point style of moderntactical knives,designed for piercing or stabbing, though the style is not present on any traditional tantō.

Tantō
Tantōwith signature (mei) ofShintōgo Kunimitsu.Completeaikuchi-stylekoshirae(mountings) and bare blade.Kamakura Period,14th century.Important Cultural Property.
TypeJapanese sword
Production history
ProducedHeian period(794–1185) to present
Specifications
Blade lengthapprox. 15–30 cm (5.9–11.8 in)
BladetypeDouble or single edged, straight bladed

A Tanto knife may refer to an American style of blade based of the Japanesetantō,usually with a squared rather than curved ved tip.

Description

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Tantō Terasawa Sadamune,bySadamune.Kamakura period.National Treasure.Tokyo National Museum.

Thetantōis a single or double edgeddaggerwith a length between 15 and 30 cm (6 and 12 in) (1 Japaneseshaku). Thetantōwas designed primarily as astabbingweapon,but the edge can be used forslashingas well. Tantōare generallyforgedin thehira-zukuri(Bình tạo)style (without a ridgeline),[1][5]meaning that their sides have no ridge line and are nearly flat, unlike theshinogi-zukuri(Hạo tạo)structure of akatana.Sometantōhave particularly thick cross-sections for armor-piercing duty, and are calledyoroi toshi.

Tantōwere mostly carried bysamurai;commoners did not generally wear them. Women sometimes carried a smalltantōcalled akaiken[6]in theirobi,primarily forself-defense.Tantōwere sometimes worn as theshōtō(Tiểu đao)in place of awakizashiin adaishō,[7][8]especially on the battlefield. Before the advent of thewakizashi/tantōcombination, it was common for a samurai to carry atachiand atantōas opposed to a katana and awakizashi.[7]

It has been noted that thetachiwould be paired with atantōand later the katana would be paired with another shorter katana. With the advent of the katana, thewakizashiwas eventually chosen by samurai as the short sword of choice over thetantō.Kanzan Satō, in his bookThe Japanese Sword,notes that there did not seem to be any particular need for thewakizashi,and suggests that thewakizashimay have become more popular than thetantōdue to thewakizashibeing 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 thewakizashiinside.[9]

History oftantōin Japan

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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)[10]
  • Shinsakutō (newly made swords 1953–present)[11]

Heian to Muromachi periods

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Tantōmade by Soshu Yukimitsu.Kamakura period.National Treasure(top). Mounting for atantōmade by Soshu Yukimitsu.Edo period(bottom).
Tantōby Hyūga Masamune, 24.8 cm (9.8 in), unsigned, formerly in the possession ofIshida Mitsunari,who gave it to his brother-in-law; thetantōwas stolen during the Battle of Sekigahara by Mizuno Katsushige, governor of Hyūga Province in the Kamakura period.

Thetantōwas invented partway through theHeian period.With the beginning of theKamakura period,tantōwere forged to be more aesthetically pleasing, andhiraanduchi-sori tantōbecame the most popular styles. Near the middle of the Kamakura period, moretantōartisans were seen, increasing the abundance of the weapon, and thekanmuri-otoshistyle became prevalent in the cities ofKyotoand Yamato. Because of the style introduced by thetachiin the late Kamakura period,tantōbegan to be forged longer and wider. The introduction of the Hachiman faith became visible in the carvings in the hilts around this time. Thehamon(line of temper) is similar to that of thetachi,except for the absence ofchoji-midare,which isnioiandutsuri.Gunomi-midareandsuguhaare found to have taken its place.

During the era of theNorthern and Southern Courts,thetantōwere forged to be up to 40 centimetres (16 in) in length, as opposed to the normal oneshaku(about 30 cm (12 in)) length. The blades became thinner between theuraand theomote,and wider between thehaandmune.At this point in time, two styles ofhamonwere prevalent: the older style, which was subtle and artistic, and the newer, more popular style. With the beginning of theMuromachi 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.[12]

Katana originate fromsasuga(Lưỡi lê),a kind oftantōused by lower-ranking samurai who fought on foot in the Kamakura period. Their main weapon was a longnaginata,with thesasugaas a spare weapon. In theNanboku-chō period,which corresponds to the early Muromachi period, long weapons such asōdachiwere popular, and along with this, thesasugalengthened, taking its form as the katana.[13][14]

Momoyama to the early Edo period

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Thetantō"Hōraisan Kotetsu" forged byNagasone Kotetsuis one of theNihon santō.

Approximately 250 years of peace accompanied theunification of Japan,in which there was little need for blades. In this period, both the katana andwakizashiwere invented, taking the place of thetantōandtachias the most-used pair of weapons, and the number oftantōforged was severely decreased.[15]Since this period,tantōhave often been carved with splendid decorations. Of thetantōandwakizashiforged during this period, three masterpieces are called theNihon santō(Three Blades in Japan).[16]

Late Edo period

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In the Edo period, decorative mountings were attached to oldtantō.Atantōforged by Hasebe Kunishige.Nanboku-chō period(top);tantōmounting, late Edo period (bottom).

There were still a fewtantōbeing 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 oftantōduring this age.[15]There were now onlytantōpredating the Edo period being used in combat;tantōforged during the late Edo period were not combative weapons.

Meiji to present

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Manytantōwere forged beforeWorld War II,due to the restoration of the Emperor to power. Members of the Imperial Court began wearing the set oftachiandtantōonce more, and the number oftantōin existence increased dramatically. After World War II, a restriction on sword forging causedtantōmanufacture to fall drastically.[17]

Tantōremained in use among twentieth centuryyakuza(gangsters) since they could be carried as a concealed weapon more easily than a katana. Atantōis also traditionally used in theyubitsumeritual (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 thetantōoutside Japan from the 1960s through the present time.[18]

Types oftantō

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Blade types

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The general blade shape is approximately 25 cm (9.8 in) long, 17 mm (0.67 in) wide (near the tang), 8 mm (0.31 in) thick (near the tang) and approximately straight. Actual historical examples would vary in length, width, thickness and curvature. (Thehiraandkirihasides of thekatakirihablade have been swapped to allow the tip to point consistently to the left while still showing the chisel-like side.)
  • Hira(Bình):A very commontantōform with noshinogi,the edge bevels reaching all the way from the edge (ha) to the back (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; onshinogi zukuriblades it is hexagonal). It is extremely common due to the simplicity of its design.
  • Shinogi(Hạo):This is the most common type of blade geometry for long swords, buttantōmade in this form are very rare, usually created from cut-down blades when a longer sword has been broken.Shinogimeans the central ridge that runs along the length of the blade between the edge bevels and the body of the blade.
  • Osoraku:Osoraku zukurifeature an extremely longo-kissakitype point, over half the blade's length.
  • Shōbu(Xương bồ):A common blade type that is very similar to theshinogi zukuri,except that it lacks ayokote,the distinct angle between the long cutting edge and the point section, and instead the edge curves smoothly and uninterrupted into the point.
  • Unokubi(Đề đầu):An uncommontantōstyle akin to thekanmuri-otoshi,with a back that grows abruptly thinner around the middle of the blade; however, theunokubi zukuriregains its thickness just before the point. There is normally a short, wide groove extending to the midway point on the blade.
  • Kanmuri-otoshi:Thesetantōwere shaped in thehiraorshōbustyle, 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 theunokubi-styletantō.
  • Kissaki-moroha(Thiết trước lạng nhận):A rare blade type with a double-edged point. Unlike the laterkanmuri-otoshithe tip had a distinct shape unlike any othertantō:the back edge would curve slightly downwards so that the point was lower than the back of the blade whereas othertantōhad 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 thetachiKogarasu Maru,"Little Crow", one of theNational Treasures of Japan.
  • Moroha(Lạng nhận):A rare, double-edgedtantōtype that has a diamond-shaped cross-section. The blade tapers to a point and contains ashinogithat runs to the point.
  • Yoroi tōshi(Khải thông し,oryoroi dōshi):tantōthat have particularly thick cross-sections for armor-piercing duty.
  • Katakiriha(Phiến thiết nhận):An asymmetrictantōform, sharpened only on one side to create a chisel-shaped cross-section.
  • Kubikiri(Đầu thiết り):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.Kubikirimeans'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 thekubikiri'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 pruningbonsaitrees.[19]
  • Hōchōgata(Bao đinh hình):Atantōform that is commonly described as a short, wide,hira.Thehōchōgata('kitchen knife-shaped') was one of the blade type that the legendary swordsmith Masamune favored.

Mountings (koshirae)

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Antique Japanesetantōshown dis-assembled, withKozukaandKogai,British Museum
  • Aikuchi(Lành miệng):Theaikuchiis atantō koshiraewhere thefuchiis flush with the mouth of the sheath. There is no handguard.Aikuchinormally have plain wooden hilts, and many forms ofaikuchihavekashirathat are made from animal horns.
  • Hamidashi:Thehamidashiis atantō koshiraethat features a small handguard.

Western Tanto

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

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

An American style Tanto knife

This style of blade is commercially popular, and was used by CIA field agents in the wake of 9/11.[20][21]

TheBundeswehris among the few millitaries (if not the only) that issues a "tantō" -style military knive in significant numbers. It is designated as theKM2000.

Othertantō

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Kaiken tantō
  • Kaiken tantō:Thekuaiken(alsokwaikenorfutokoro-gatana) is a generally shorttantōthat is commonly carried inaikuchiorshirasayamounts. It was useful for self-defense indoors where the long katana and intermediatewakizashiwere inconvenient. Women carried them in the obi for self-defense and rarely forjigai(ritual suicide). A woman received akaikenas part of her wedding gifts.
  • Fantantō:The fantantōis a commontantōwith a blade entirely concealed within a fan-shaped scabbard. The blade was usually low quality, as thistantōwas not designed to be a display piece, but rather aconcealed weaponfor self-defense.
  • Yari tantō:Japanese spearheads were often altered so that it became possible to mount them astantō.Unlike most blades,yari tantōhad triangular cross-sections.
  • Ken tantō:This is also not truly atantō,though it is often used and thought of as one.Kenwere 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 theken tantōmay be found made with avajra(double thunderbolt related to Buddhism).[citation needed]
  • Moderntantō:Moderntactical kniveshave 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,andCold Steel.[22]These "Americantantō"designs which are oftenfolding knives,feature a thick spine on the blade that goes from the tang to the tip for increased tip strength.[23]The handle shape may be altered slightly to provide better ergonomics.[18]

Use in martial arts

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Tantōwith 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 artsthat employ thetantōinclude:

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  • Tantō Atsushi Tōshirō,by Awataguchi Yoshimitsu. 13th century,Kamakura period.National Treasure.Tokyo National Museum
  • Atantōforged by Minamoto Kiyomaro (left),tantōmounting (right). Late Edo period.
  • Hilt (tsuka) and handguard (tsuba) oftantō.Late Edo period.
  • Tantōmounting. Edo or Meiji period.The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
  • Edo periodyari(spear)tantōinkoshirae.A spearhead converted to use as atantō.
  • Edo periodyari tantō.Ayari(spear) converted to use as atantō.
  • Atantōdisguised as a fan
  • Ken tantō,a double-edged straight sword in wooden mountsshirasaya
  • Edo periodtantōwith anaikuchimounting

See also

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References

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  1. ^abThe Samurai Sword: A Handbook,John M. Yumoto, Tuttle Publishing, 1989 p.47
  2. ^Handbook to life in medieval and early modern Japan,William E. Deal, Oxford University Press US, 2007 P.161
  3. ^The Development of Controversies: From the Early Modern Period to Online Discussion Forums, Volume 91 of Linguistic Insights. Studies in Language and Communication,Author Manouchehr Moshtagh Khorasani, Publisher Peter Lang, 2008,ISBN3-03911-711-4,978-3-03911-711-6p.150
  4. ^The Complete Idiot's Guide to World Mythology, Complete Idiot's Guides,Authors Evans Lansing Smith, Nathan Robert Brown, Publisher Penguin, 2008,ISBN1-59257-764-4,978-1-59257-764-4P.144
  5. ^Styles in the Shape of Blades
  6. ^Kaiken
  7. ^abThe Japanese Sword,Kanzan Satō, Kodansha International, 1983 P.68
  8. ^Shotokan's Secret: The Hidden Truth Behind Karate's Fighting Origins,Bruce D. Clayton, Black Belt Communications, 2004 P106
  9. ^The Japanese Sword,Kanzan Satō, Kodansha International, 1983 P.68
  10. ^Clive Sinclaire (1 November 2004).Samurai: The Weapons and Spirit of the Japanese Warrior.Lyons Press. pp.40–58.ISBN978-1-59228-720-8.[permanent dead link‍]
  11. ^トム ngạn điền (24 September 2004).Tĩnh Quốc đao.Kodansha International. p. 42.ISBN978-4-7700-2754-2.
  12. ^Satō, Kanzan (1983). Joe Earle (ed.).The Japanese Sword; Volume 12 of Japanese arts library.Kodansha International. pp.62–64.ISBN978-0-87011-562-2.
  13. ^Lịch sử ngườiSeptember 2020. p40.ASINB08DGRWN98
  14. ^List of terms related to Japanese swords "Sasuga".Nagoya Japanese Sword Museum Touken World.
  15. ^abSatō (1983) p. 68
  16. ^Cao thượng なる tạo hình － Nhật Bản đao danh đao と danh tác から thức る võ sĩ の mỹ học －.Bijutsu techō
  17. ^Sinclaire, Clive (2004).Samurai: The Weapons and Spirit of the Japanese Warrior.Globe Pequot. p.59.ISBN978-1-59228-720-8.
  18. ^abSteele, David (1981). "Japanese Daggers".Black Belt.19(2). Black Belt, Inc.:55–60.
  19. ^"Unusual tantō".Archived fromthe originalon 23 March 2002.Retrieved5 December2006.
  20. ^"Operation JAWBREAKER Knife - CIA".cia.gov.Retrieved15 November2024.
  21. ^Moeller, Jason (1 May 2007)."Soldiers Without Uniforms: CIA Paramilitary Operations in Afghanistan".MSU Graduate Theses.
  22. ^Pacella, Gerard (2002).100 Legendary Knives.Krause Publications. pp.124–126.ISBN0-87349-417-2.
  23. ^"American Tanto - Blade Geometry Knife FAQ".faq.customtacticals.Retrieved27 May2014.
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