刀 means “sword”

かたな · katana

Also: saber, knife

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

かたな, そり

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

トウ

Taught in grade 2 · 2 strokes

The story

Just two strokes: a curved blade resting in its scabbard. The 刀 is Japan's soul made steel. Master swordsmiths like Masamune folded metal thousands of times, creating blades so perfect they became national treasures.

Used in 日本刀 (nihontou, Japanese sword) and 刀剣 (touken, swords)

Words with 刀

• 日本刀 (にほんとう, nihontou): Japanese sword

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Learn 刀 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.