ninjato

See also: ninjatō

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Japanese 忍者刀 (ninjatō), in turn a compound of 忍者 (ninja) + 刀 (tō, “sword, knife”).

Noun

ninjato (plural ninjato or ninjatos)

  1. A straight-bladed short sword, commonly appearing in works of fiction as a weapon of the shinobi in feudal Japan.
    • 1988, Joseph Rosenberger, Hell Wind in Burma, →ISBN, page 78:
      His fingers relaxed around the hilt of the ninja-to, and the sword dropped to the ground. So did he, a moment later.
    • 2003, Eric Chaline, “Ninja Swords”, in Ninjutsu: Essential Tips, Drills, and Combat Techniques (Martial and Fighting Arts), Broomall, Pa.: Mason Crest Publishers, →ISBN, “Weaponry and Tools” section, page 45:
      The ninjato had several other uses, as well as several other designs to accommodate these uses. For example, the scabbards of some ninjato were made longer than the blades. This design allowed for a secret compartment at the end of the scabbard that could store poisons or powders.

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