刀かたな

noun

sword; katana

Only with reading かたな

Primarily refers to a single-edged Japanese sword. In everyday use, かたな is the standard reading.

• 侍さむらいは腰こしに刀かたなを差さしていた。

  The samurai wore a sword at his waist.

noun

scalpel

Only with reading とう

Medical term; used in compounds like 手術刀 (しゅじゅつとう).

• 外げ科か医いはメス（手しゅ術じゅつ刀とう）を使つかって患かん部ぶを切せっ開かいした。

  The surgeon used a scalpel to incise the affected area.

noun

chisel; burin; graver

Only with reading とう

Used in compounds like 彫刻刀 (ちょうこくとう) for engraving tools.

See also: 彫刻刀 (ちょうこくとう)

• 版はん画が家かは彫ちょう刻こく刀とうで木もく版はんを彫ほる。

  The printmaker carves the woodblock with a chisel.

noun

knife money

Only with reading とう

Historical term for ancient Chinese knife-shaped commodity money; appears in the compound 刀銭 (とうせん).

See also: 刀銭

• 刀とう銭せんは中ちゅう国ごく古こ代だいの青せい銅どう貨か幣へいの一いっ種しゅである。

  Knife money is a type of bronze currency from ancient China.