Tanto, an unknown territory

Many Japanese martial arts have some techniques with tanto included in their syllabus. Learning these techniques is mostly done through a kata-based method. Two methods are being considered:

• Defending against an attack or a threat with a tanto
• Stabbing, cutting, or striking with a tanto.

Most of those techniques lack realism and are mostly choreographed performances. See the example below. There is a threat with a knife, but then it seems the attacker freezes, and the defender has all the time to perform the technique.

A frequent attack involves hitting the opponent’s head or neck overhead with the tanto.

(From Hiden Magazine)

There are many more examples that can be displayed, but the majority of them are not realistic and telegraph the attack by making large movements.

Switching position of the tanto

It is not common for training methods to include switching the position of the tanto or knife. Some traces are present in Western knife-fighting methods.

A Western based method of changing the position of the knife.

Tanto randori, Tolpar knife-fighting…..

Some groups have developed a competitive training method using a tanto or knife to create a more realistic training method.

Kenji Tomiki’s Tanto Randori

Not really knife-fighting, but some elements have a realistic value. The attacker is limited in the use of knife (soft tanto), but the attacker can use different kinds of timing, distance…
The defender need good footwork and can practise his skills to perform effective throws or locks.
As with most of the competitive methods, this is far from a real fight with knives involved. Only a limited techniques can be used to score points.

Tolpar knife-fighting

Knife fighting that is competitive and based in Western countries. The creation of a safe environment for competitors is ensured by rules-based competitive methods that include limitations.

Self-defense training or combat sports.

Efficiency is the goal of many methods created to boost the ego of a practitioner. The confidence of someone who can handle aggressive actions will be enhanced by those methods. Unfortunately, society rules will limit the use of dangerous or lethal techniques. Those techniques are practiced through the use of a ‘kata’-based method, which lacks realism and efficiency. The illusion of a fighting machine can be created by a competing format. The reality of fighting in a safe environment is far from reality.