also: かたは
noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
single-edged; single bevel
Describes a blade with only one sharpened side, such as a traditional Japanese sword or a single-bevel kitchen knife. Often contrasted with 諸刃 (もろは, double-edged).
See also: 諸刃 (もろは)
日本刀は片刃の刀です。
A Japanese sword is a single-edged blade.
片刃の包丁は右利き用と左利き用があります。
Single-bevel kitchen knives come in right-handed and left-handed versions.
諸刃 means double-edged, while 片刃 means single-edged. 諸刃 is often used metaphorically (e.g., 諸刃の剣, a double-edged sword).
Compound of 片 (かた, one side) and 刃 (は, blade). The reading かたば is a standard rendaku form.