短刀 Tanto

The term "tanto" (short sword) refers to Japanese swords with a blade length of 1 shaku (about 30 cm) or less.

The term "short sword" is a relatively recent addition to the terminology. In ancient times, it was called "koshi-gatana" ("waist sword") because samurai used to wear it at their waists with the blade facing upward, or "katana" ("sword") because of its short blade length in contrast to the long blade length of the tachi or other swords.

Because of its size, a short sword is sometimes mistaken for a "wakizashi" (a sword between 1 shaku [approx. 30 cm] and 2 shaku [approx. 60 cm]), but it can be distinguished from a wakizashi if the koshirae has a tsuba (tsuba) and from a short sword if the koshirae has an aikigoshirae (a spoon with a handle) without a tsuba.