Information about Tanto

[stephan_hiller]

Hello all,

 

I have a friend who acquired an interesting and nice tanto some time ago. It is not in the standard shinogi-zukuri or hira-zukuri form but in moroha-zukuri. Can anybody tell me if the form had some functional purposes or was it just a matter of taste? Was there a preference for one shape or another in the Edo period or other periods? I assume the tanto is from the Edo period but if you think otherwise, please let me know.

 

Stephan

[Stephen]

from doc Stiens site

 

Shinto: Momoyama through early Edo

 

The unification of Japan brought 250 years of relative peace. This together with the change is style of wearing tachi and tanto to the wearing of katana and uchikatana (wakizashi) meant there was little call for the forging of tanto. The few that were made during the Momoyama period were copies of Nambokucho and Kamakura era works. In the Edo period, hamon become more flamboyant with billowing notare and bead-like gunome. Shapes tend to be long and slender with slight sori.

 

Shin-shinto: Late Edo

 

Still few tanto made - but more than in Shinto. Many copies of classic Kamakura, Nambokucho and Koto blades led by the influence of Suishinshi Masahide.

 

i think im going with shinshin to...really a very nice tanto ...i may be wrong so dont hold it to me. I real kepper none the less. I would think papers are in order if he can.

[Jean]

Hi Stephan,

 

The purpose of this form of tanto was :

 

To cut throat on the battle field as it has 2 cutting edges, it is easier to use back and forth.

 

And generally, they are very thik and were use as Yoroi doshi, piercing armour. Very much in use during the 16th century, look at this one :

 

http://www.aoi-art.com/sword/tanto/07071.html

[stephan_hiller]

Stephan, Jean,

 

many thanks for your quick reply.

 

Regards,

 

Stephan

[nagamaki - Franco]

Hi Stephan,

 

The purpose of this form of tanto was :

 

To cut throat on the battle field as it has 2 cutting edges, it is easier to use back and forth.

 

please explain, ty?

[Jean]

Hi Franco,

 

Yo have two way handling a knife :

 

1 - blade thrusting upward with the edge up : Used by streetfighter. Usual way when your opponent is not weraring an armour. You can slah back and forth in an easier fashion if it has a double edge.

 

2 - Blade thrusting downward : When using on an armour, very handy. It enables you yo enlarge the wound using it as a can opener (not the electric ones :lol: :lol: :lol: ) or even in a more practical way, using it in the same way, to free the blade from the armour if is stuck in it.