The , also known as or , is the most common name for the sword

Sword

A sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...

 that the ninja

Ninja

A or was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations...

 are portrayed to have carried by ninja in television and movies. Historically, there is no physical evidence for the existance of this weapon. In reality, the katana

Katana

A Japanese sword, or , is one of the traditional bladed weapons of Japan. There are several types of Japanese swords, according to size, field of application and method of manufacture.-Description:...

was probably the ninja's weapon of choice. The ninjato is typically depicted as being a short sword, often portrayed as having a straight blade with a square guard. The ninjato is thought to have been invented by Stephen K. Hayes

Stephen K. Hayes

Stephen K. Hayes is an American Bujinkan ninjutsu master, Buddhist priest and writer.-Life and martial arts:Stephen K. Hayes was born in Wilmington, Delaware and raised in Dayton, Ohio. He graduated from Fairmont West High School, Kettering, Ohio in 1967. He began formal training in the martial...

Usage

Due to the fact that the 'ninjato' did not historically exist, debates over the best usage of the sword is largely theoretical. In fictional depictions, the ninjatō's shorter length would presumably allow for a faster draw and greater maneuverability in close quarters..