The Tantō knife is a single-edged fighting knife that was used by the samurai and carried as part of the standard equipment together with the tachi, i.e. the long sword in sabre form. Its manufacture is very similar to that of a katana or wakizashi. The dagger was traditionally worn tied under a kind of kimono belt, the obi. Different forms of the Tantō dagger can be identified by the stabbing blade. If the stabbing blade (tsuba) is missing, the knife can be defined as an aikuchi. For practice purposes, there are also practice Tantōs, which are traditionally made of red oak.

In construction, Tantōs also have a hand-forged blade with a tang (nakago) fixed by bamboo pins (mekugi). The handle (tsuka) is also made of ray skin and wrapped in silk. A scabbard (saya) made of painted wood including a cord (sageo) is also part of the Tantō.

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