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刀背 (とうはい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

刀とう背はい

also: むね

と

う

は

い

Meanings

1

noun

back of a sword

Refers to the blunt back edge of a sword blade, opposite the cutting edge. Used in discussions of swords, martial arts, and historical contexts.

See also: 棟 (むね)

刀かたなの刀とう背はいで相あい手てを打うつ技わざがある。
There is a technique of striking the opponent with the back of the sword.
この刀かたなは刀とう背はいにも細こまかい装そう飾しょくが施ほどこされている。
This sword has fine decorations even on the back of the blade.

Written forms

刀背
- とうはい
  Standard kanji form for the back of a sword. The reading とうはい is the regular on'yomi reading.
- むね
  gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
むね
gikun (meaning-based reading) or jukujikun
Gikun reading for 刀背, using the reading of 棟 (ridge/back). Rare and mostly encountered in specialized or historical contexts.

Kanji

刀

sword, saber, knife

背stature, height, back

Similar words

棟むね
棟 (むね) can also mean the ridge or back of a blade, but it is a more general term for ridge, peak, or spine. 刀背 specifically refers to the back of a sword.
刃は
刃 (は) is the cutting edge of a blade, the opposite of 刀背.

Etymology

Compound of 刀 (sword) and 背 (back). The reading とうはい follows the regular on'yomi. The gikun reading むね is borrowed from 棟, which shares the meaning of 'ridge' or 'back'.