The Japanese tanto is a short knife-like sword, usually single-edged but sometimes double-edged. The tanto was carried by the samurai warrior class, although women were also known to carry the blade for self-defense. Tantos were more popular during certain periods in Japanese history than in other periods. The height of the tanto's popularity and use was during the Heian period. The tanto was replaced on the battlefield by the longer wakizashi, or short sword. As a result, the tanto can be worn in the same place and way as the wakizashi.
Instructions
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1
Wrap an obi around the waist three times. Knot the obi.
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2
Place the tanto with scabbard inside all three layers of the obi. The tanto can be worn in place of the mid-sized sword, the wakazashi. Inside the three layers is where the wakazashi is often worn.
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3
Point the tanto so the blade's edge is upward and the handle points inward. The tip of the blade should point back, down and away.
