also: ひとかたな
Only with reading いっとう
Refers to a single sword or blade, often in contexts of swordsmanship or weaponry. The reading いっとう is standard.
He felled his opponent with a single sword stroke.
single stroke
Used for a single cut or decisive action, often in idiomatic expressions like 一刀両断 (cutting in two with one stroke).
He made a decisive, single-stroke decision.
cutting in two with a single stroke · taking decisive action; cutting the Gordian knot
one-knife carving
Standard kanji spelling; high-frequency news and common usage.
Rare kun'yomi reading; may appear in literary or historical contexts.
Compound of 一 (one) and 刀 (sword/blade). The reading いっとう is on'yomi; ひとかたな is a rare kun'yomi reading.