katonk66 Posted March 7 Report Share Posted March 7 I finally received my tanto from Japan. Lovely nihontou, but I just have a question: Why is it so small, especially the width? (L-in inches, width in c.m.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John C Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 I don't think the length is an issue. Not very wide but could have been made for a lady??? John C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugyotsuji Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 Because the smith made it that way, and because you bought it that way. But then why or for what purpose did he make such a small Tanto? Hmmm... they came in all sizes. (How does your u-no-kubi blade length work out in centimeters?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katonk66 Posted March 8 Author Report Share Posted March 8 13 minutes ago, Bugyotsuji said: Because the smith made it that way, and because you bought it that way. But then why or for what purpose did he make such a small Tanto? Hmmm... they came in all sizes. Sorry, i'm a novice at tanto collecting. That's why I asked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugyotsuji Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 It's a good question to stir the old brain cells, Henry. I had to ask myself, would a lady fancy such a shape? But no answer came. I'd be interested to hear other people's thoughts. I have a tanto which lacks a kurikata sageo cord bridge. A collector friend said "Oh, this makes it for a lady." Another collector friend said, "No, not necessarily." I am still learning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugyotsuji Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 For example, we can find ladies in kimono wearing tanto decoratively at the kimono foldover. Such a tanto could be used for self-defense, or more likely, as Stephen suggests, for suicide to prevent desecration and protect virtue. (But is this one designed for a woman? And in the case of defensive attack or suicide, I can imagine a lady using anything to hand, e.g. that of a retainer, or even her husband's blade.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John C Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 I was just throwing out the idea of it being for a lady but as you note, that's probably wrong. What about something simple like the smith didn't have enough steel to make a thicker blade? Could be any number of reasons. John C. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugyotsuji Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 LOL! ..................................... where is Stephen by the way? I can feel his eyes on this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baka Gaijin Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 Was it originally in this Koshirae or in a fan perhaps? The eyes have it............... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugyotsuji Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 34 minutes ago, Baka Gaijin said: Was it originally in this Koshirae or in a fan perhaps? The eyes have it............... Yes, it could be a perfect shape for skulduggery. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franco D Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 7 hours ago, katonk66 said: Why is it so small, especially the width? (L-in inches, width in c.m.) Many blades are copies of earlier styles. Study the history. Time to build that nihonto library. https://studyingjapa...tag/kannmuri-otoshi/ Regards, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baka Gaijin Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 "Yes, it could be a perfect shape for skulduggery." I've come across the term "Hiden Buki" in respect of weapons concealed in everyday objects. There are a number of Koryū who have this within their tradition, notably Hōten-ryū (法典流) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hōten-ryū 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoTanuki yokai Posted March 8 Report Share Posted March 8 This thing has nearly the same dimensions and I tried to replicate the kamakura Tanto shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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