Tantō

A tantō (短刀, lit. 'short blade') is a Japanese sword or dagger with a blade shorter than 30 centimeters in length.Yumoto, J. M. (2013). Samurai Sword: A Handbook. Rutland, VT: Tuttle Publishing.Ichikawa Sadaharu [市川定春]. (2023). "Daggers" [匕首]. In Dictionary of the Weapon [武器事典] (3rd ed.), translated by Lin Tsit-i [林哲逸] and Kao Yin-liang [高胤喨]. Taipei, Taiwan: Cite Publishing Ltd., pp. 79–111.Kapp, Leon; Kapp, Hiroko; and Yoshihara Yoshindo. (2012). "Rekishi: A Brief History of the Japanese Sword". In The Art of the Japanese Sword: The Craft of Swordmaking and its Appreciation. Tokyo, Japan: Tuttle Publishing, pp. 69–104. It was utilized as an auxiliary weapon by the samurai alongside their katana, as well as by women and tradespeople for personal defense during the Sengoku period.Deal, W. E. (2006). Handbook to Life in Medieval and Early Modern Japan. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Ninja such as the Assassins Fujibayashi Naoe and Mochizuki Chiyome also used it prolifically in their operations.
==Description==
The term tantō literally translates to 'short blade', and the weapon is essentially a Japanese-style dagger. Since the enactment of the in 1958 by the Japanese government, the tantō has been legally defined as any sword with a blade shorter than 30 centimeters, but historically many short swords exceeding this length were still classified as tantō. More precisely, the most typical tantō has a blade ranging from 24 to 25 cm in length, and these are specifically called jōsun-no-tantō (定寸の短刀, lit. 'standard-length short blades').
Although tantō are sometimes described with a style of moderate curvature called uchizori (内反り, lit. 'inward-curving'), where the rear surface tapers toward the tip, they have always been forged with a straight back, or muzori (無反り, lit. 'no curvature'). Because the line between the flat side of the blade and the rear surface is weaker near the point, years of polishing and use will wear down at this spot faster, eventually giving the appearance of an uchizori blade.
==History==
The history of the tantō goes as far back as the 3rd century BCE. Among its antecedents are ancient tōsu (刀子) and the sasuga (刺剣). Positive appraisal of the sasuga as a side-arm for spearmen in the chaos of battle led to the widespread adoption of the shorter tantō. It subsequently became a regular auxiliary weapon for warriors throughout the Sengoku period. Iga shinobi were trained to utilize it to pierce through weak points in enemy armor,Turnbull, Stephen. (2019). "Ninja Weapons and How to Use Them". In Ninja: The (Unofficial) Secret Manual. London, UK: Thames & Hudson Ltd, pp. 112–131. and the Iga Assassin Fujibayashi Naoe wielded both a tantō and a Pivot Blade in the design of a tantō. Mochizuki Chiyome likewise favored the weapon during her tenure as an Assassin.Assassin's Creed Roleplaying Game – Animus Training Program Quickstart: The Nanban Trade Its popularity did not ebb even in the peaceful Edo period because nobles and women alike found it useful as a concealable self-defense weapon.
==Behind the scenes==
The tantō will be a usable weapon in the 2024 video game Assassin's Creed: Shadows.
==Appearances==
*Assassin's Creed: Fragments – The Blade of Aizu 
*Assassin's Creed: Shadows
*Assassin's Creed Roleplaying Game
==References==
Category:Weapons
Category:Short blades
Category:16th century weapons