noun
sword strap; sword knot
A cord used to secure a sword scabbard tightly to the obi (belt). Also referred to as a sword knot or strap. This is a specialized term related to traditional Japanese swords.
See also: 鞘
刀の下げ緒が緩んでいたので、結び直した。
The sword strap was loose, so I retied it.
この下げ緒は組紐でできている。
This sword knot is made of braided cord.
鞘 is the scabbard itself, while 下げ緒 is the cord used to attach the scabbard to the obi.
Compound of 下げ (sage, 'hanging down') + 緒 (o, 'cord'). The kanji 下げ緒 literally means 'hanging cord'.