also: しょうとう
small knife; pocket knife
Only with reading こがたな
Refers to a small, general-purpose knife, such as a pocket knife or a small utility blade. The reading is こがたな.
彼は小刀で鉛筆を削った。
He sharpened the pencil with a small knife.
short sword; small sword
A short sword, often a wakizashi or similar sidearm. Can be read as こがたな or しょうとう, with しょうとう being more formal or historical.
侍は腰に小刀を差していた。
The samurai wore a short sword at his waist.
He whittled a tree branch with a small knife to make a flute.
The samurai went out with a short sword at his waist.
Sensing danger, he drew his short sword.