"Tsurugi" (剣) is a Japanese word used to refer to any type of broadsword, or various Chinese heroes' weapons or Chinese swords (Jian). http://yacht.zamok.net/DV/Potter/Posters/Snape/cultural/Japan/tsurugi.jpg The word is used in the west to refer to a specific type of Japanese straight, double-edged sword no longer in common use.