A tachi is a type of Japanese sword whose blade length is generally 2 shaku (about 60 cm) or longer, worn suspended from the waist edge-down using a sword cord. The average blade length is around 80 cm. It is distinguished from the uchigatana, which is worn thrust through the belt with the edge facing upward. The term tachi is said to derive from the verb “to cut” or “to sever.” In general, tachi refers to Japanese swords from the Heian period onward that have a ridged (shinogi-zukuri) cross-section and a curved blade.