刃を返す

English translation: counterattack

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

Japanese term or phrase:	刃を返す
English translation:	counterattack
Entered by:	humbird

05:09 Mar 22, 2005

Japanese to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - Poetry & Literature

Japanese term or phrase: 刃を返す

What is meant by 刃を返す？

Thank you,
Tsubaki

tsubaki

counterattack, counteroffensive

Explanation:
他の方の答え、特にsnowbeeさんのが面白いですが、刃を返すとは刀で襲われて、それに対して応答することのはずです。これは闇討ちのときでも、また正々堂々とした果し合いでも同じでしょう。
ですから英語ではこういうことになるでしょう。アメリカ英語では刀（フェンシング）なんてものはなく、すぐ鉄砲になりますから　counter fire とでもなるでしょうが、相手が切り込んで来た（フェンシングでは突いてきた）というとき、それに対して「刃を返す」ということをいいたいときはこういう言い方になります。

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Note added at 9 hrs 54 mins (2005-03-22 15:03:18 GMT)
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追加 counterattack by sword といったほうがいいかしらん？あまり常套的な表¥現ではないですがね。

Selected response from:

humbird

Grading comment

Thank you. I think the second answer you gave me (added as a note) is the correct one. By the way, if you have time, it would be great if you could comment on the note I added to the original question in response to your note (translation for the other sentence I posted)
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

counterattack, counteroffensive

humbird

flick

Hiromi Kobayashi

To sheathe [one's] sword

DBH (X)

3 -1

See Web reference

snowbees

to cross swords (with)

Anita Kobayashi

Discussion entries: 6

Answers

3 hrs confidence:

刃を返す to cross swords (with)

Explanation:
刃を交える【やいばをまじえる】 to cross swords (with)

Anita Kobayashi
Japan
Local time: 08:25
Native speaker of:

German

Grading comment

Thank you, but my question was about 刃を返る, not　刃を交わす

The asker has declined this answer
Comment: Thank you, but my question was about 刃を返る, not　刃を交わす

3 hrs confidence:

刃を返す To sheathe [one's] sword

Explanation:
To "sheathe" (put away) one's sword/blade?

A google search for "Sheathe your swords" shows this phrase used in much literature - from Beowulf to the Three Musketeers

DBH (X)
Native speaker of:

English

Grading comment

I thought of this, too, but it is clear from the context that she does not sheathe the sword.

The asker has declined this answer
Comment: I thought of this, too, but it is clear from the context that she does not sheathe the sword.

5 hrs confidence:

peer agreement (net): -1

（刀の）刃を返す See Web reference

Explanation:
See web reference which the asker might have looked for.

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Note added at 5 hrs 21 mins (2005-03-22 10:30:16 GMT)
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峰打ち=strike sb with the back of one¥'s sword. （研究社和英辞典）

Reference: http://www.tbs.co.jp/mito/univ_MITO/ningen/suke.html

snowbees
Local time: 08:25
Native speaker of:

Japanese

Grading comment

Again, my question was about 刃を返す, not 峰打ち. It is clear from the context that she is not in the process of a battle with anyone

The asker has declined this answer
Comment: Again, my question was about 刃を返す, not 峰打ち. It is clear from the context that she is not in the process of a battle with anyone

9 hrs confidence:

刃を返す

counterattack, counteroffensive

humbird
Native speaker of:

Japanese,

English
PRO pts in category: 20

Grading comment

2 days 9 hrs confidence:

刃を返す flick

Explanation:
Flick to turn the katana blade

In the reference page mentioned below,you can find a helpful sentence;

"With a flick of the wrist, Syan brought the katana's blade down and under, beginning the battle."

Reference: http://www.dynamicsims.com/outer-rim/archive/1eos4.htm

Hiromi Kobayashi
Japan
Local time: 08:25
Native speaker of:

Japanese

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刃を返す

English translation: counterattack

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