I'm not exactly certain what points you are making but I will attempt to address them.
Firstly I was well aware of Japanese cutlery well before Cold Steel was incorporated in 1980/81. So I doubt if I have been influenced by Lynn Thompson's marketing of the Tanto-styled knife.
Secondly, Tantos (literally "Short Sword") were used to remove the head of an enemy leader on the battlefield only until 1600. After the Tokugawa shogunate was established with no wars, only Katanas were used in beheading of criminals or as Kaishaku to assist in a Seppuku.
The Tanto, in particular the shortest version usually called a Kaiken, was carried by commoners because only the Samurai class were permitted to carry the Dai-Sho (big-small) set of Katana and Wakizashi. At least legally. Ronin of course still carried despite not being employed. As a result the Tanto was pretty well distributed and was the most common "stabbing weapon" among commoners. At the time, the only kitchen knife was usually a Nakiri which is not suited as a weapon.
Thirdly, The most common knife that can be found in a Japanese home today would indeed be a Santoku, a hybrid design of a Gyuto and Nakiri. However, that isn't what the OP was asking. As for a Kiridashi, the only people who have them in Japan today are craftsmen who use them for their profession or hobbies. You will not find one in a typical household. A Higonokami is more likely to be found.
Finally, The Wakizashi is hardly significant nationally when compared to the full sized Katana. There is no one in the entire world who would not recognize the Nihon-To, commonly called a "Samurai Sword" and has been seen in countless movies and TV shows. But of course a Katana is a sword. The Wakizashi played a secondary role for the most part, and with a length of about 2 ft I am not sure if everyone would consider it a "knife".
The OP did not ask what type of knife is most commonly found in a given country. He asked for knives of significance nationally and culturally, and that leaves the Tanto, regardless of fitting or size, which is recognized as Japanese in origin, has had an enormous influence on knives globally, and therefore fits the bill.
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