What is a tanto?
The tanto is a Japanese short blade with a length typically between 15 and 30cm. Single or double-edged, with a construction that prioritises a strong point for thrusting over the curved cutting edge of the longer katana and wakizashi. The most common tanto blade style is hira-zukuri - nearly flat sides without a ridgeline, giving the blade a clean, uncluttered geometry.
Some tanto have particularly thick cross-sections to increase penetration ability against armour - these are called yoroi-toshi, or armour piercers. The yoroi-toshi represents the tanto at its most purely functional: a blade designed to find the gaps in an opponent's protection and exploit them.
The tanto is shorter than either the katana or the wakizashi and sits at the crossover between sword and dagger. For collectors interested in the full Japanese blade hierarchy, read our Japanese swords UK guide.
Hand-forged tanto - the collection
TSS stocks three hand-forged tanto, each with a distinct character. These are not display replicas made from stainless steel - they are forged pieces made using processes drawn from the traditional Japanese blade-making tradition.
Karoshi Hand Forged Tanto - 1095HCS Made from 1095 high carbon folded steel - each blade forged in fire and beaten until the impurities are removed from the steel. Heat tempered in the traditional manner and quenched in oil and water. The wooden handle is wrapped in genuine stingray skin (samekawa) before traditional cotton handle wrapping (tsukamaki). The result is a tanto that carries the full vocabulary of traditional Japanese blade craft in a compact form.
Tanchozuru Full Tang Tanto - 1065HCS The White Blossom tanto. Full tang 1065 steel, 46cm overall with a 28cm blade. Includes sheath. The full tang construction - where the steel runs the full length of the handle rather than stopping at the guard - gives this piece a different balance and feel from a traditional Japanese tang.
Itsukushima Hand Forged Tanto - 1095HCS The same 1095 folded steel construction and stingray skin handle wrap as the Karoshi - forged in fire, oil and water quenched, traditionally finished. This listing includes a live sharpened blade. Age verification is required before dispatch and this piece is intended for collectors only - not for use.
The Ghost of Tsushima handforged tanto
Ghost of Tsushima Handforged Tanto Jin Sakai's tanto from Ghost of Tsushima is one of the more interesting weapon designs in recent gaming. In the game it begins as a utility tool - used to cut the ropes of Mongol hostages in the opening missions - before becoming the assassination weapon central to the Warrior's Code storyline. Jin's relationship with the tanto mirrors his broader arc in the game: the transition from honourable samurai to pragmatic Ghost, willing to use the assassin's blade where the katana once was the only option.
Our handforged tanto is a screen-inspired piece that captures the design and proportions of Jin's blade. Includes tanto and sheath. For the full Ghost of Tsushima display, pair it with the Jin Sakai katana - the complete samurai loadout from the game. Read our dedicated Ghost of Tsushima tanto guide for the full story behind the blade.
Cosplay tanto
Recon Tanto - Cosplay/Training Knife A rubber training version at £14.99 for convention and LARP use. Realistic tanto profile, safe for events. Always check your specific event's weapon policy before attending. For more event-safe options browse our cosplay weapons collection.
The tanto in the daisho
The three-piece daisho - katana, wakizashi and tanto together - is the complete representation of the samurai's sword heritage. The tanto sits at the base of the hierarchy but it is not the least significant. In the Kamakura period it was the primary companion blade, and the finest tantos of that era are considered among the greatest pieces of Japanese metalwork ever produced.
For collectors building the complete set, our katana sets bring all three together as a matched collection. Browse the full Japanese replicas range for display stands and complementary pieces.
About The Sword Stall
UK-based, UK-stocked. Everything in this collection is in our warehouse in Bacup, Lancashire. No dropshipping, no customs, no import delays. Free delivery on orders over £200. All ornamental display pieces in this collection are blunt and intended for display only. The Itsukushima tanto contains a live, sharpened blade and is for collector display only - not for use. New customers provide age verification once before their first order is dispatched.
