刀剣(とうけん)

とうけん
noun
swords; swords and blades
1. swords; swords and blades
A general term for bladed weapons, especially Japanese swords and other edged weapons. Used broadly to refer to swords as a category, in historical, cultural, and collector contexts.
刀剣(とうけん)を鑑賞(かんしょう)する。
To appreciate swords.
博物館(はくぶつかん)で日本(にほん)刀剣(とうけん)の展示(てんじ)を見(み)た。
I saw a Japanese sword exhibition at the museum.
この刀剣(とうけん)は室町(むろまち)時代(じだい)に作(つく)られたもので、国宝(こくほう)に指定(してい)されている。
This sword was made in the Muromachi period and has been designated a national treasure.

A formal collective term for swords and bladed weapons. 刀(かたな) refers to a single sword, while 刀剣(とうけん) is the broader category encompassing all types of swords and blades. Commonly encountered in museum labels, historical texts, and discussions of Japanese sword culture.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 日本(にほん)刀剣(とうけん): Japanese swords
  • 刀剣(とうけん)類(るい): swords and similar weapons
  • 刀剣(とうけん)コレクション: sword collection
  • 刀剣(とうけん)博物館(はくぶつかん): sword museum
  • 刀剣(とうけん)鑑定(かんてい): sword appraisal

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 刀(かたな): sword — refers to a single sword, especially a Japanese katana
  • 剣(けん)/剣(つるぎ): sword — a double-edged straight sword, or sword in a more literary/poetic sense
  • 太刀(たち): long sword — a specific type of Japanese sword worn edge-down

CULTURAL NOTE:
Japanese swords are classified as art objects under Japanese law. The popularity of the game and anime franchise 刀剣(とうけん)乱舞(らんぶ) (Touken Ranbu) has brought renewed interest in sword appreciation, especially among younger audiences.

general
Added 2026.4.9 1:22 · Revised 2026.4.10 17:28
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