| Tanto: Japanese Knives and Knife Fighting |  | Author: Russell Maynard
Publisher: Unique Publications (Subs. of CFW Enterprises, Inc
Category: Book
Buy Used: $15.70
Used (15) Collectible (1) from $15.70
Rating:  1 reviews
Sales Rank: 1695310
Media: Paperback
Pages: 206
Number Of Items: 1
ISBN: 0865680787
Dewey Decimal Number: 355.547
EAN: 9780865680784
Publication Date: June 1986
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Cover has light wear, Ships Next Day!
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| Customer Reviews:
All about tantos. . . July 2, 2006
Tyr Shadowblade (TM) (Virginia Beach, VA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This book is divided into 3 distinct parts: Part 1 addresses the history of the tanto (various types, sword & tanto construction, metalurgy, tradition, etc.), and was -- by far -- the best part of the book. Part 2 shows photos of dozens of tantos that were available for sale during the 80s -- both custom and commercial, with a brief commentary on many. Part 3 discusses how to fight with a tanto.
The knifefighting section was divided in 2 sections. The first purports to be traditional tantojutsu. There are about a dozen "scenarios" (long sword vs tanto, short sword vs tanto, and tanto vs tanto), but in every single one, both opponents face each other whist kneeling on a tatami mat! Furthermore, the techniques were rather advanced, thus impractical for most. The second showed "modern" techniques from a variety of systems (Kali, Hwrang-do, ninjitsu, etc.). While a few examples had merit, most appeared to be fight choreography intended for Hollywood action-adventure films. A lot of reliance on complex moves and joint locks. Two different instructors even showed their secret techniques for forcing the bad guy to stab himself with his own knife! It seemed like the various instructors where more concerned with trying to "outperform" one another by showing off their alleged mastery of the fighting (performing?) arts, rather than attempting to convey anything of value to a reader who truly wanted to learn. It would surely impress the ignorant, though.
The first part of this book was outstanding. Even the second part was better that I'd expected. But as for the "instructional" value of this book, I'd strongly advise you to look elsewhere.
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