The tantō is a traditional Japanese dagger characterized by its short blade, typically ranging 1 shaku in length.

Sugata (姿, Blade Shape)

• The tantō comes in various shapes, though it is typically straight or slightly curved.
• The blade length is usually 15–30 cm.
• Common sugata types include:
  • Hira-zukuri (平造り, flat construction) – The most common shape, without a shinogi (ridgeline), allowing for a sharp and durable edge.
  • Shinogi-zukuri (鎬造り, ridged blade profile) – Less common, but some tantō resemble small katana blades.
  • Unokubi-zukuri (鵜首造り, cormorant neck profile) – A distinctive shape with a ridgeline near the tip for reinforcement.