Tanto Sword   

And you thought the Japanese had no use for shorter swords.  Well that is simply incorrect.  The Tanto is the Japanese version of a dagger.  Usually somewhere between 6-12 inches long the Tanto was typically single edged but sometimes double-edged.  Rather than the sleek narrow blade of the other Japanese swords, the Tanto was sometimes made with a diamond-like cross-section.  This made the blade ideal for armor piercing. It was also not atypical that women would carry these weapons in their belts for self-defense.  The Tanto was also used at times in conjunction with the Tachi, much like the Katana was used in conjunction with the Wakizashi.

The Tanto was not showy and bore little artistic significance throughout most of history.  Nevertheless, the Japanese could not simply make something that was, well, ugly.  Their were famous smiths that poured the abilities into making a blade that was both artistic and effective.  Over history, the popularity of the Tanto blade rose and fell.  Today you can buy these blades in all different shapes and sizes. 

The Tanto blade, is short yet admirable.  In a world where size is everything, one should not simply side step this small yet important piece of Japanese weaponry.  There are versions of the Tanto, that are just as dazzling as their larger cousins.  To have one of these, indicates that you have an eye for detail, and certainly a passion for swords.  In any event, display these are part of a collection of Japanese weaponry.  These also make wonderful smaller decorations for the less ostentatious individual.  Perhaps the Tanto as an office decoration would give your personal space just the right touch.  In any event, you simply won’t be disappointed.