Daitō (long sword)
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The word daitō (大刀?) refers to Japanese long swords. Rather than a specific weapon, this is actually a category of blades under which both the katana and tachi fall. This term is often used interchangeably with either of the other sword names, and may also be used to describe unspecific fake and practice Japanese-style swords.
To qualify as a daitō the sword must have a blade longer than 2 shaku (approximately 24 inches or 60 centimeters) in a straight line. While there is a well defined lower-limit to the length of a daitō, the upper limit is not well enforced; as such swords that are "longer than normal daitō" are called ōdachi. The word "daitō" is often used when explaining the related terms shōtō (short sword) and daishō (the set of both large and small sword). Miyamoto Musashi refers to the long sword in the book of five rings. He is referring to the katana and the odachi.
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