long sword with bird-head pommel carvings
Historical term for a type of tachi (long sword) whose pommel is decorated with carved birds' heads. Used in contexts of Japanese arms and armor.
I saw an exhibition of a long sword with birds' heads carved on the pommel at the museum.
Compound of 鳥頭 (bird head) and 太刀 (long sword), referring to the decorative bird-head motif on the pommel.