What is the difference between a wakizashi and a tanto?

Both are short Japanese blades, but they differ in size and purpose. A wakizashi has a curved blade of 30–60 cm — essentially a scaled-down katana. A tanto has a blade under 30 cm and was designed primarily as a close-range stabbing weapon and utility tool. For collectors building a daisho set, the wakizashi is the traditional companion to a katana. The tanto stands on its own as a distinct blade type.