noun
sword for self-defense
A sword carried for personal protection, often in historical or traditional contexts.
旅人は守り刀を腰に差していた。
The traveler wore a sword for self-defense at his waist.
Standard kanji spelling for a sword kept for self-defense.
Variant spelling; less common than 守り刀.
Search-only kanji form; not a standard spelling.
護身用 is a broader term for self-defense items, not limited to swords.
Compound of 守り (mamori, 'protection') and 刀 (katana, 'sword'), with rendaku voicing of かたな to がたな.