The TANTO, Sidearm of the Samurai [What You NEED To Know]
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ก.ค. 2024
- The Tanto: a dangerous weapon, stunning piece of art, and cultural icon! While smaller than its brethren the Katana and the Wakazashi, the Tanto stands as an equal among the traditional Japanese swords. Tanto are among the oldest of the Japanese swords and have survived the tests of time and war. Featuring many sizes and shapes the Tanto has evolved and adapted since the 11th century through numerous civil wars, invasions, and cultural upheaval. Today on the Knife Life we dig into the history and design of the trusted sidearm of the samurai warrior!
For those looking to learn more, take a look at The Connoisseur's Book of Japanese Swords
amzn.to/3RGA4Kr
Also check out Ka-Bar's modern tantos at the links below!
Their Traditional Tanto:
www.kabar.com/products/1266
Their American Tanto:
www.kabar.com/p/1245
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I'm highly critical of educational material like this, and though I hate to say it, most of what's out there is fraught with misinformation. Yours, though, is quite a good presentation. That a few instances of funny pronounciation are the main things that stuck out, is a miracle. Bravo, my friend. You hit a bunch of points that seem to be unknown or misunderstood, by... maybe a majority of people in the blade community. Thanks for your careful research and presentation. 👍👍
I greatly appreciate the feedback! I do my best to find reputable sources and subject matter experts to give my audience the most accurate information I can. I also appreciate it when my audience keeps me honest: the channel is here to help me learn every bit as it is to help others learn as well. Thank-you for the feedback and I hope to see you around the channel again!
@@TheKnifeLifeChannel You can count on it; I'm impressed. Aside from budō, I also have a huge affinity for greenwood spoon carving, so blades of various types are never far from my mind. I'm surprised and dismayed that I've not found your channel sooner, really.
@PaMuShin Honestly, it sounds like a questionable technique, to me. And one I don't believe I've heard of. I'm having a hard time thinking of a circumstance under which it would be best to use a tanto in this manner. Better to focus on highly pragmatic techniques. Case in point- The technique of using a tanto in one hand and a tessen (or jute, or any largish piece of metal... a heavy duty tanto-gata shuriken would also work) in the other. This allows for blocks that are strong and reliable enough to block a sword stroke. This technique would be for use in a place where the daito would be prohibited (or simply not present), or for when the primary weapon and long sword were lost. 👍👍
@PaMuShin If this was something having to do with esoteric Buddhism, it may well be more of a ritual practice, than a martial technique. Also, all traditional tanto are made to be easily disassembled, so you shouldn't let that detail color too much of your thinking. But, at any rate, I wish you success in your delvings!
@PaMuShin I hate to tell you this, friend, but... you seem to have some ideas that aren't... necessarily as historically accurate as one might like. I'd suggest that you be very, very careful with what you use as a source, in the future. 👍👍
I was hoping that you would mention the special armor-piercing class of tanto called "Yoroi-dōshi". They can have blades every bit as spikey and stabby as any European rondel or ballock dagger. Otherwise, this was a real treat! Thank you!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! I originally was writing up a part on the Yoroi-doshi, but cut it to due to time. I may do a short piece on it by itself in future though! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
Very good work James as always!🔪🤙
What about SAK (Swiss Army Knife)? I think it would be really nice to see you talking about it. By the way, great content! Keep it up!
Felix Immler is a wealth of knowledge about SAK
The Swiss Army Knife is one I've been contemplating for a bit. Thanks for your support and I hope to see you around the channel again!
love ur vids man, thank u!
My pleasure!
I've never watched your channel before, very informative and well researched. There is not a lot of information documentary material on Tanto which is a shame. I own several authentic Tanto from Kamakura to Edo period. I appreciate your video and congratulate you on a very good effort. Many thanks
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! I do my best to get my audience the most accurate information that I can find. I hope to see you around the channel again!
very informative. Please bring a video on the armor-piercer, of which CS also made a modern referral in shape of the "Frenzy"..a favorite oversized specimen I love to carry.
I'll take a look at it! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
I count myself as lucky. I own the Cold Steel Recon Tanto, which I bought way back in the 80's, when it was made from Carbon V steel. The next Tanto I received as a gift is the Hanwei - Tactical Tanto, which is more in line with an actual Tanto, but with a 5160 High Carbon spring steel blade. Yet it still has that copper, although I think the one on mine is brass, sleeve. Now I cannot take mine apart, but it is the traditional point. I've never really carried it, since it is more or less a self defense knife. At least the one I have, with an 11 inch cutting edge.
Very cool! Thanks for sharing and I hope to see you around the channel again!
Please do the Higonokami Knife. I got mine from Americana Pipedream the other day and wanna learn more
I believe it originally a carpenter knife or carving and pruning knife
I also heard just a copy from general purpose knife from European traders in Japan because I think it originally showed up in the 1800 and folding knives at that time in Europe were very commom
I'll take a look at it! Thank-you for your support!
I was sure you would touch on the ninja to. Either way excellent work.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
Very similar to the Eastern European & Persian blade systems I practice. Which usually consists of a saber, short sword, a dagger & usually some form of small utility knife worn/used as a set.
It is very similar. Keep an eye out on the channel, Persia had a very important impact on the development of edged weapons so I will be touching on some of their blades in the future. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
I'm considering a Daimyo FF Katana 29" Gold Eagle from dynasty Forge.
Any advice?
I've not had any personal experience with them. Based upon some quick research it seems like the blades themselves are ok, but the mountings leave something to be desired. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
Regarding curved blades, the differential heat treatment frequently used in Japanese blades will curve a blade forged straight.
Japanese blades are usually forged straight, then a combination of the differential heat treat from the applied clay, and the method of quenching introduce the curve into the blade. There is a video of a gentleman doing it in a clear tank with slow motion video and it is wicked cool! Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel!
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A pleasure seeing you around the channel again Brandon!
Hmmm... the Tanto, according to Shinto tradition, should never be used for "utility" purpose. No cutting vegetables, rope or the like. This blade was to hold a spiritual purpose for use when harikari was deemed necessary for a Samurai.
Now, that's based on old Shinto and one can have a variety of concerns towards this belief system and harikari itself.
Apologies if harikari is the wrong spelling or the incorrect term in this case.
So the original Tanto from the Heian period didn't have the same level of reverence as their descendants and were definitely used for utility.. Later on the Tanto became a preferred blade for sepukku (the ritualistic version of harakiri with a second for beheading). But that wasn't the primary reason for the existence of the Tanto. There may have been Tanto made specifically for the purpose that would receive special treatment, but the majority of samurai didn't commit sepukku, nor were most Tanto procured with that end in mind. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
Tantos are perfect for being rammed through another samurai's helmet.
I blew an Xmas on a Cold Steel Master Tanto when I was 15 and that knife has been a WORKHORSE!
Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!
Cover the Blackhawk Tatang from MW2 please
I do actually have access to a Tatang. I'll keep it in mind. Thanks for commenting and I hope to see you around the channel again!