Tanto: History and Modern Use in Aikido Practice

Tanto 短刀, which literally means “short sword”, is a traditional Japanese knife typically single-edged and between 15 and 30 cm in length. The earliest tanto dates back to the Heian period (794-1185), where it was primarily used for outdoor activities like hunting and fishing. Over time, the tanto became more widely used as a weapon by the samurai class. Samurai typically carried two swords – a full-size katana 刀 and a 30-60 cm intermediate-size wakizashi 脇差. However, in some cases, they may also have carried a tanto in place of a wakizashi. The tanto was particularly useful in close-quarters combat in confined spaces and was often employed for quick, decisive strikes against an opponent, or to defend against longer blades. The art of mastering the tanto is called Tantojutsu 短刀術.

During the Muromachi period (1336-1573), Tantojutsu techniques began to be formalized in various martial arts schools. These systems adapted Kenjutsu movements to the use of the tanto, creating a new combat method suitable for different situations. At the same time, defense against tanto was also incorporated into other martial arts such as Jujutsu.

Entering the Edo period (1603-1868), a relatively peaceful era, the tanto acquired more ceremonial and personal uses. The most well-known ceremonial role was in the ritual suicide practice of Seppuku 切腹. A samurai, when ordered or when choosing to preserve honor, would use a specially prepared tanto to make the abdominal cut to end his life.

A katana 刀 and a wakizashi 脇差

Samurai women were often given a kaiken 懐剣, a smaller version of a tanto, kept in the kimono sash. As part of a marriage ritual, a bride might carry a kaiken to her new household, symbolizing readiness to protect her honor and family. Women could also use it in the act of Jigai 自害, the female counterpart to seppuku, usually cutting the throat rather than the abdomen.

Tanto were sometimes dedicated at Shinto shrines as offerings to kami, functioning as sacred objects rather than practical weapons. Tanto with ornate mountings could also serve as gifts in formal ceremonies between high-ranking samurai families.

A typical samurai tanto was made from high-carbon steel with a wooden handle known as the tsuka 柄, wrapped in silk or leather. There were many blade types for a tanto. Some common types include the Hira 平, the Shinogi 鎬, and the Shobu 菖蒲, while less common variations such as the Kissaki-Moroha 切先両刃 featured a double-edged point.

A tanto 短刀

Today, wooden tanto are used in martial arts practice. In Aikido, the tanto is primarily a training tool to simulate a real knife attack. Tanto dori in Aikido involves disarming an attacker, immobilizing them, and redirecting their movements. Defense against a tanto can be daunting and dangerous as it represents a potentially lethal weapon. However, it provides practitioners with a valuable opportunity to develop awareness of an attacker’s intent, sharpen reflexes, and increase confidence and psychological readiness to defend themselves. Physically, tanto dori requires practitioners to move quickly, remain agile, and respond with coordinated body movements. Mentally, it demands focus, calmness, and the ability to overcome fear when facing a weapon. Many Aikido techniques can be used effectively to defend against a tanto attack, including but not limited to kote gaeshi 小手返し and gokyu 五教.

In summary, the use of tanto is an important part of Aikido training. While it is challenging, it is also rewarding, offering a wide range of physical and mental benefits for Aikido practitioners.

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