also: しょうとう
noun
small knife; pocket knife
Only with reading こがたな
Refers to a small, general-purpose knife, such as a pocket knife or a small utility blade. The reading is こがたな.
彼は小刀で鉛筆を削った。
He sharpened the pencil with a small knife.
noun
short sword; small sword
A short sword, often a wakizashi or similar sidearm. Can be read as こがたな or しょうとう, with しょうとう being more formal or historical.
侍は腰に小刀を差していた。
The samurai wore a short sword at his waist.