Tantojutsu Explained

Tantōjutsu (短刀術) is a Japanese term for a variety of traditional Japanese knife fighting systems that used the tantō (短刀), as a knife or dagger.^[1] Historically, many women used a version of the tantō, called the kaiken, for self-defense, but warrior women in pre-modern Japan learned one of the tantōjutsu arts to fight in battle.

Martial arts that practise tantōjutsu

Tantō with blunt wooden or plastic blades are used to practice martial arts. Metal blades can be used in more advanced training and in demonstrations. Styles that use tantō:

Budō (Gendai):

• Aikido
• Shorinji Kempo

Bugei:

• Yanagi-ryū Aiki Bugei (Yoshida-ha Shidare Yanagi-ryū)
• Ogawa-ryu Bugei

Bujutsu (Koryū):

• Kashima Shin-ryū (this ryūha uses term Kaikenjutsu)
• Takamura-ha Shindo Yoshin-ryu
• Tendō-ryū

See also

• Kaiken (dagger)
• Wakizashi

Notes and References

1. Book: Mol, S. . Classical Weaponry of Japan: Special Weapons and Tactics of the Martial Arts . Kodansha International . 2003 . 978-4-7700-2941-6 . 2024-02-25 . 25.