noun
sword-bearer; attendant who carries a lord's sword
Historical role: a subordinate who carries and guards their master's sword, often seen in samurai contexts.
時代劇では、殿様の後ろに太刀持ちが控えている。
In period dramas, a sword-bearer stands behind the lord.
noun
sumo attendant carrying a sword; rikishi who follows the yokozuna during the ring-entering ceremony
Sumo-specific term: a wrestler who carries a sword and accompanies the yokozuna during the dohyō-iri (ring-entering ceremony).
横綱の土俵入りでは、太刀持ちと露払いが先導する。
During the yokozuna's ring-entering ceremony, the sword-bearer and the herald lead the way.
Another attendant in the yokozuna's ring-entering ceremony; the 露払い clears the way, while the 太刀持ち carries the sword.
Compound of 太刀 (tachi, 'long sword') and 持ち (mochi, 'carrier'), from 持つ (motsu, 'to hold'). The sumo usage derives from the historical role of a sword-bearer.