Tantojutsu
By Brett Denison, Mizukan Dojo
The tanto is the knife used by the Bushi. The length of the blade ranged from 5” to about 18”. The tanto was frequently carried in place of the wakizashi and was often used against longer weapons. There is an extensive repertoire of techniques in the tantojutsu system that cover a wide range of applications. Wooden or aluminum knives are used in training and live blades are used in form practice and tameshigiri. The tanto waza directly impact many of the empty hand techniques used in jujutsu and aikijujutsu--if fact tantojutsu is frequently an included or required weapon in many jujutsu and aikijujutsu ryuha.
These techniques and strategy have very practical modern function both for knife on knife applications as well as knife against bludgeoning weapons and empty hand against knife. Unlike knife fencing systems, in tantojutsu controlling the opponent is stressed. Any contact includes gathering and controlling the opponent’s mental and physical center. As in kenjutsu, tantojutsu, and aikijujutsu are two sides of the same coin. The tanto, whether used to cut or trap, controls the opponent.
Originally
created in the 14th century to be worn with a Bushi’s armor, the tanto’s
main purpose was to cut the wearer out of their armor if they were to fall in
water. A similar dagger without the guard is sometimes called an Aikuchi.
While
Tantojutsu (art of the dagger) is not widely practiced today, the weapon is
sometimes used in kata demonstrations and tameshigiri.
The knife was standard equipment for ‘light armored’ training (kogusoku) as well as in ‘fully armored’ (yoroi kumi uchi) training. Tanto were forged in the same manner and to the same standard as the Nippon-to, see the figure below for an example of this craftsmanship (this O-tanto is from the author's collection).
The following are a few representative Tantojutsu Waza
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(Please, visit the website of Denison sensei on http://mizukan.home.attbi.com/ )