also: ひとかたな
noun
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.
彼は一刀のもとに相手を倒した。
He felled his opponent with a single sword stroke.
noun
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).
一刀両断の決断を下した。
He made a decisive, single-stroke decision.
A four-character idiom meaning 'cutting in two with one stroke' or 'decisive action', derived from 一刀.
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.