nata; Japanese hatchet; broad-bladed knife
A sturdy, broad-bladed cutting tool used in woodcraft, hunting, and outdoor work. Often has a rectangular blade.
I used a nata to split firewood at the camp.
The hunter advanced along the mountain path, clearing branches with a nata.
large hatchet; broad-bladed knife
sturdy broad-bladed knife (for woodcraft/hunting)
blaze marks on trees; trail marks cut into trees
billhook
Standard kanji form for this tool.
Katakana spelling is also used, particularly in technical or outdoor contexts.
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially when the kanji is not well-known.
The origin of the word なた is uncertain. The kanji 鉈 is a kokuji (Japanese-made character) combining 金 (metal) and 它, and is used specifically for this tool.