日本にほん刀とう

also: にっぽんとう

に

ほ

ん

と

う

Common word

Meanings

1

noun

Japanese sword; katana

Refers to traditionally made Japanese swords, typically characterized by a curved, single-edged blade. Often associated with samurai culture.

この博はく物ぶつ館かんには、江え戸ど時じ代だいの日本にほん刀とうが展てん示じされ

て

いる

。

Japanese swords from the Edo period are displayed in this museum.

日本にほん刀とうは、その美うつくしさと切きれ味あじで世せ界かい的てきに知しられている。

Japanese swords are known worldwide for their beauty and sharpness.

Usage patterns

日に本ほん刀とうを抜ぬくto draw a Japanese sword
武ぶ士しは素す早ばやく日本にほん刀とうを抜ぬいた。
The samurai quickly drew his Japanese sword.
日に本ほん刀とうを鍛きたえるto forge a Japanese sword
刀かたな鍛冶かじが何なん日にちもかけて日本にほん刀とうを鍛きたえた。
The swordsmith spent days forging the Japanese sword.
日に本ほん刀とうを研とぐto sharpen/polish a Japanese sword
職しょく人にんが丁てい寧ねいに日本にほん刀とうを研といだ。
The craftsman carefully polished the Japanese sword.
日に本ほん刀とうを収しゅう集しゅうするto collect Japanese swords
彼かれは趣しゅ味みで日本にほん刀とうを収しゅう集しゅうしている。
He collects Japanese swords as a hobby.

Kanji

日day, sun, Japan
本book, present, main
刀sword, saber, knife

Related words

刀かたなN3
刀 is the general word for a single-edged sword of any origin, while 日本刀 specifically means a traditionally forged Japanese blade.
太刀たち
太刀 refers to an older style of longer, more curved Japanese sword worn edge-down, whereas 日本刀 is the broad modern term covering all traditionally made Japanese swords.

Don't confuse with

剣けん
剣 usually denotes a straight, double-edged sword (as in Western or Chinese styles), unlike the curved, single-edged 日本刀.

Counted with

振ふりN2
swing; shake; wave; wag · appearance; behaviour; manner · pretence; false show; pretending · walk-in customer; without reservation · dance posture; dance move · lead-in; setup; preamble · unsewn sleeve part; hanging sleeve opening · counter for swords, blades

Written forms

日本刀
- にほんとう
  Standard kanji spelling; the most common reading is にほんとう.
- にっぽんとう
  Alternate reading にっぽんとう is also used, though less common than にほんとう.
にっぽんとう

Etymology

Compound of 日本 (Japan) and 刀 (sword). The term emerged to distinguish native Japanese swords from foreign blades, especially after the introduction of Western swords.