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刀
sword · knife · saber
N1On: とうKun: かたな
Memory Aid
The kanji 刀 is a direct drawing of a sword or knife with a handle and a curved blade, particularly recognizable as a Japanese katana.
'Katana' — This is the exact Japanese word for a Japanese sword, which is also commonly used in English.
'Tō' — Imagine the TOE of your boot kicking a SWORD to knock it away in a duel.
Vocabulary
日本刀にほんとうJapanese sword
刀剣とうけんswords and blades
包丁ほうちょうkitchen knife
抜刀ばっとうdrawing a sword
帯刀たいとうwearing a sword
Example Sentences
日本の刀は美しい美術品です。
Japanese swords are beautiful works of art.
この包丁はよく切れます。
This kitchen knife cuts well.
彼は刀剣博物館に行きました。
He went to a sword museum.
武士は腰に刀を帯刀していた。
Samurai wore swords at their waist.