ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Tantō

A tantō is a special kind of knife that comes from Japan. It's kind of like a regular kitchen knife, but it's much shorter and pointier. The blade is usually between 15 and 30 centimeters long, which is about the same length as a ruler. The blade is really sharp, so you have to be very careful when using it.

People in Japan have been using tantōs for a long time, mostly as a weapon in battles. Samurai warriors used to carry one as a backup weapon in case their main weapon wasn't available. Sometimes they even used it to perform a special kind of ritual suicide called seppuku.

Nowadays, people still use tantōs in Japan, but mostly as a tool for cutting things like vegetables, meat, and fish. They're also sometimes used in martial arts like Kendo and Aikido. If you ever visit Japan, you might see one on display in a museum or shop, but make sure you don't touch it unless you're allowed to, because it's very sharp and dangerous!
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