Tanto

The Tanto is the smallest of the traditional Japanese swords, featuring a blade typically around 12 inches long with a subtle curve, less pronounced than that of a Katana or wakizashi. Lightweight and discreet, the Tanto was usually worn tucked into the obi (belt) of a kimono, offering samurai an easily accessible yet concealed weapon.

Some samurai would even wear the Tanto within the folds of their kimono, making it nearly invisible to an enemy and ideal for close-quarters defence or swift, discreet attacks when required. Additionally, the Tanto holds a significant place in the ritual of seppuku, the samurai honour suicide. In this act, a samurai would make a precise horizontal cut just above the navel, seeking redemption for a dishonourable action or to avoid obeying a command they found morally reprehensible.