The clue to the number one going downward for this NYT crossword puzzle is blade sheathed in a saya. Released on April 30, 2025, we’re looking for something that is placed inside a saya. What is a saya, you may ask? It is a type of scabbard or sheath where a sword is placed. Technically, we’re looking for a type of sword.
The famous Japanese sword is the answer
The answer we’re looking for is a KATANA. If you’re familiar with Japanese culture of have seen a plethora of Japanese movies or other media, then you would know what it is. A katana is a single-edged sword that usually has a curve to it. The bladed or sharp edge can make for a fantastic cutting session.
Don’t be confused, because there are other Japanese swords aside from the katana. There’s the kodachi which is a very short katana. It’s almost as long as a dagger but still has that single edge and curve. The long ones are called a nodachi or odachi. These things are twice the size of a regular katana.
