Translation guide
In Japanese, a wooden sword is most commonly a bokutō or bokken, used in martial arts training. The specific term depends on context, material, and shape.
A wooden sword used in Japanese martial arts like kendo, aikido, or kenjutsu.
The standard term for a wooden sword used in martial arts training. Often shaped like a katana.
Beginners practice swings with a wooden sword.
Often used interchangeably with 木刀, but can imply a slightly different shape or tradition. Common in aikido.
In aikido, we sometimes practice using a wooden sword.
A wooden sword with a particular shape or purpose, such as a suburitō for strength training.
A heavy wooden sword used for suburi (repetitive swinging) to build strength and technique.
A suburitō is heavier than a regular wooden sword.
A bamboo practice sword used in kendo. Not strictly wooden, but often grouped with wooden swords in English. Note: this is made of bamboo slats.
竹刀 is made of bamboo, not solid wood. Use only for kendo context.
A wooden sword used as a toy, prop, or decorative item, not for serious martial arts.
Both mean wooden sword. 木刀 (bokutō) is more common and often implies a katana-shaped wooden sword. 木剣 (bokken) is used in some martial arts like aikido and may refer to a slightly different shape. In many contexts they are interchangeable.
English 'wooden sword' sometimes includes bamboo swords (竹刀, shinai) used in kendo. In Japanese, 竹刀 is specifically bamboo, not wood. Use 木刀 for solid wood swords.
剣道の試合では竹刀を使います。
In kendo matches, we use a bamboo sword.
A wooden sword was used as a prop in that movie.