刀(かたな)

かたな
noun
sword, katana
culturetool
1. sword, katana
A Japanese single-edged sword.
刀(かたな)を抜(ぬ)く。
To draw a sword.
侍(さむらい)は刀(かたな)を持(も)っていた。
The samurai carried a sword.
博物館(はくぶつかん)で古(ふる)い刀(かたな)を見(み)た。
I saw an old sword at the museum.
この刀(かたな)は何百年(なんびゃくねん)も前(まえ)に作(つく)られたものだ。
This sword was made hundreds of years ago.
日本(にほん)の刀(かたな)は美(うつく)しさと切(き)れ味(あじ)の良(よ)さで世界的(せかいてき)に有名(ゆうめい)だ。
Japanese swords are world-famous for their beauty and sharpness.

Refers to a Japanese single-edged sword with a curved blade. An iconic symbol of the 侍(さむらい) and Japanese culture. Often called "katana" in English.

Types

  • 日本刀(にほんとう): Japanese sword (general term)
  • 太刀(たち): long sword (older style, worn edge-down)
  • 打刀(うちがたな): standard katana (worn edge-up)
  • 脇差(わきざし): short sword (worn alongside the katana)
  • 短刀(たんとう): dagger

Common expressions

Compounds

  • 刀鍛冶(かたなかじ): swordsmith
  • 名刀(めいとう): famous/legendary sword
  • 刀剣(とうけん): swords and blades (collective term)

Related Words

Compare: 剣(けん) (sword (double-edged, general))
Related: 侍(さむらい) (samurai, warrior)
Related: 剣士(けんし) (swordsman, fencer, sword fighter)
Compare: 刃(やいば) (blade)
Compare: 矛(ほこ) (spear)
core
Added 2026.1.9 21:57 · Revised 2026.10.9 21:56
02000/02194_katana