warabitetō; fern-pommel sword
A type of iron sword from the Nara period with a distinctive curved pommel resembling a young fern frond. Primarily a historical and archaeological term.
Warabitetō swords are sometimes excavated from Nara-period sites.
I saw a real warabitetō at the museum.
The name 蕨手刀 (warabitetō) literally means 'fern-hand sword', referring to the pommel shape that resembles a young bracken fern frond (warabi). The exact historical derivation is uncertain.