Blade for a Tantō (Dagger)

Title

Blade for a Tantō (Dagger)

Description



A Tanto is a handheld dagger used most commonly by women and peasants, in fact the only weapon a woman was allowed to posses during this period. However, the most well-crafted of them went to the samurai as secondary weapons to thier swords.
 
This work evolved from the heavily curved blade to the straight tempering pattern, the speciality of the artist Kunimitsu. The progression shows how knowledge was passed down from master to student, then expanded upon by craftsmen.

Source

Tokyo National Museum

Date

Kamakura period, 14th century.

Format

Steel; L. 10 3/8 in. (26.2 cm)

Files

Blade for a Tantō (Dagger).jpg
Date Added
May 9, 2011
Collection
Samurai Weaponry
Citation
“Blade for a Tantō (Dagger),” Artists, Patrons, and Japanese Art, accessed March 19, 2024, https://artistandpatrons.omeka.net/items/show/20.