Agency Dictionary

katana

nounPronunciation: /kəˈtɑː.nə/

In Portuguese: katana

Culture & Identity

What does “katana” mean?

A Japanese single-edged sword with a curved blade, traditionally carried by samurai. In the article, the subject of the classified report carries an encased katana sword.

Etymology

From Japanese katana, a single-edged curved sword traditionally associated with the samurai class of feudal Japan.

Usage examples

a Hannya mask and an encased Katana sword
Archetype.1 - Hannya

Concept

HannyaThe Hannya is a mask from Japanese Noh theatre that represents a female demon or vengeful spirit, typically depicting a woman consumed by jealousy, rage or sorrow to the…

Source editions

Where this entry comes from in the Agency editorial.

Archetype.1 - HannyaJanuary 1, 2025Read the edition

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Also from these editions: terms

shogunatenoun: A feudal military dictatorship in Japan, headed by a shogun, in which loyalty and honour were central to its operation. The system was exclusive to Japan and did not exist in other Asian nations.
samurainoun: A member of the warrior class of feudal Japan, bound by codes of loyalty and honour, who served under the shogunate system. In the article, the samurai class is one of the two groups with access to Noh theatre.
Byproductnoun: A secondary, often unexpected result or incidental creation derived from an ongoing process or effort.
Storytellingnoun: The art, craft, or practice of conveying narratives, experiences, and insights to engage an audience.
Symbolnoun: A mark, sign, character, or visual emblem used as a conventional representation of an object, function, concept, or abstract idea.
patriarchaladjective: Of or relating to a social system in which men hold primary authority, especially over women and children. In the article, the patriarchal system of the Shogunate is the force that pushed women to the psychological limits symbolized by the Hannya mask.
vengeful spiritnoun: A spirit driven by a desire for revenge, often depicted as a supernatural force that returns from the afterlife to right a wrong or punish the living. In Japanese Noh theatre, the Hannya mask portrays such a spirit: a woman consumed by sorrow and rage to the point of transforming into a demon.
feudaladjective: Of or relating to a political system in which lords grant land to vassals in exchange for military service and loyalty. In the article, feudal describes the Japan of the Shogunate period, where rigid class hierarchies, economic exploitation and political suppression defined everyday life.
Mahayananoun: One of the two major traditions of Buddhism, characterized by the ideal of the bodhisattva who seeks enlightenment for all beings. In the article, Mahayana Buddhism is the tradition to which the Heart Sutra belongs.