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剣 by itself can be read either way. What's the difference?

Clarification: In particular, when 剣 refers to a 諸刃 sword, which reading are
natives more likely to use?
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2013-07-10T00:43:41.830
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2019-11-27T04:30:33.057
2015-06-30T14:20:45.063
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question
kanji readings
Which reading is more common for 剣: tsurugi or ken
A little research leads me to believe that つるぎ refers exclusively to double-
bladed swords (諸刃{もろは}の剣{つるぎ}) while けん can refer to any sword, including
single- or double-bladed, as well as a bunch of other metaphorical meanings
and referring to sword arts and whatnot.

See the answer here:

<http://detail.chiebukuro.yahoo.co.jp/qa/question_detail/q1035588605>

As for which is more common, it's けん.
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2013-07-10T01:48:04.257
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2013-07-25T12:45:37.217
2013-07-25T12:45:37.217
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answer
tsurugi = native (ancient) Japanese word

ken = (ancient) Chinese pronunciation that came with Kanji

These two types of pronunciation are called 訓読み（和語） and 音読み（漢語）

We usually read 剣 as ken. tsurugi is not common.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-07-24T16:05:10.387
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2013-07-24T16:51:35.670
2013-07-24T16:51:35.670
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answer