katana (sword worn edge up by samurai)
Refers specifically to the long sword worn thrust through the sash with the cutting edge facing upward, as opposed to the older tachi style worn edge down.
See also: 刀
The samurai wore a katana at his hip.
A katana is characterized by being worn thrust through the sash with the cutting edge facing up.
Standard kanji form for the katana sword.
Variant spelling with okurigana; less common but still used.
打刀 literally means 'striking sword'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term distinguishes this style of wearing and using the sword from earlier tachi.