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名刀 (めいとう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

名めい刀とう

め

い

と

う

Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

noun

famous sword; excellent sword

Refers to a sword of exceptional quality or renown, often a masterpiece by a celebrated swordsmith.

この博はく物ぶつ館かんには国こく宝ほうの名めい刀とうが展てん示じされている。
This museum displays a famous sword that is a national treasure.
彼かれは先せん祖ぞ伝でん来らいの名めい刀とうを大たい切せつに保ほ管かんして

Kanji

名name, noted, distinguished
刀sword, saber, knife

Similar words

刀かたな
刀 is the general term for a katana or sword, while 名刀 specifically denotes a sword of great fame or quality.
名めい剣けん
名剣 is a similar term meaning 'famous sword', but 剣 can refer to double-edged swords or swords in a broader sense, whereas 刀 typically refers to single-edged Japanese swords.

Etymology

Compound of 名 (mei, 'famous, excellent') and 刀 (tō, 'sword, katana').

いる

。

He carefully keeps an excellent sword passed down from his ancestors.