ninjato

plural ninjatos · alternative ninjatō · alternative ninja-to

1. A straight-bladed short sword, commonly appearing in works of fiction as a weapon of the shinobi in feudal Japan.

   His fingers relaxed around the hilt of the ninja-to, and the sword dropped to the ground. So did he, a moment later.

   1988, Joseph Rosenberger, Hell Wind in Burma, →ISBN, page 78

   1 more example

   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.

   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

   Synonyms: ninja sword, ninjaken, shinobigatana