日本刀(にほんとう)

にほんとう
noun
Japanese sword
culturemilitary
1. Japanese sword; katana
A sword made by traditional Japanese methods, with a curved, single-edged blade. Today it is valued as a work of art; owning one requires registration.
美(うつく)しい日本刀(にほんとう)。
A beautiful Japanese sword.
博物館(はくぶつかん)で日本刀(にほんとう)の展示(てんじ)を見(み)た。
I saw an exhibition of Japanese swords at the museum.
日本刀(にほんとう)は何度(なんど)も鉄(てつ)を打(う)ち直(なお)して作(つく)られるので、強(つよ)くてよく切(き)れる。
Japanese swords are made by folding and hammering the steel many times, so they are strong and sharp.

日本(にほん) + 刀(とう) (sword).

Related words

  • 刀(かたな): sword — the native word, used for the same weapon in historical contexts
  • 刀鍛冶(かたなかじ): swordsmith
  • 居合(いあい): the art of drawing and cutting with a sword
  • 剣道(けんどう): kendo, fencing with bamboo swords

Related Words

Related: 剣道(けんどう) (kendo, fencing with bamboo swords)
general
Added 2026.10.2 4:37 · Revised 2026.10.2 4:41
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