The main differences between a tanto and a wakizashi lie in their size, blade shape, and historical usage within the context of Japanese swords.

Tanto:

• The tanto is a Japanese dagger or short sword with a blade length typically measuring less than one shaku (approximately 30 cm or 11.8 inches).
• Tantos have a relatively straight blade profile and a pointed tip.
• Traditionally, tantos were used as a self-defense weapon, often carried by samurai and non-samurai alike for personal protection in close-quarters combat.
• Tantos were also employed as tools for everyday tasks, such as cutting, slicing, and utility purposes.
• Due to its compact size, the tanto was particularly effective in confined spaces, where larger swords would be less practical.

Wakizashi:

• The wakizashi is a traditional Japanese sword with a blade length typically measuring between one shaku and two shaku (approximately 30 cm to 60 cm or 11.8 inches to 23.6 inches).
• Wakizashis have a slightly curved blade profile, similar to that of a katana but shorter in length.
• Historically, the wakizashi served as the companion sword to the katana and was worn together as part of the samurai's daisho.
• The wakizashi had various uses, including as a backup weapon, as a symbol of the samurai's social status, and as a blade for indoor combat or in situations where the longer katana was impractical.

In summary, the key differences between a tanto and a wakizashi are their size, blade shape, and historical usage. Tantos are shorter, straight-bladed daggers used for personal defense and utility purposes, while wakizashis are slightly longer, curved swords traditionally paired with the katana and carried by samurai as a symbol of their status and for close-quarters combat.