A type of Japanese sword. The ootachi (also known as "nodachi") is essentially a very long katana, often longer than the wielder's height. The best-known examples are probably Sephiroth's Masamune (ff7) in Final Fantasy VII and the various long sword-class weapons featured in the Monster Hunter (series) series. The ootachi was a rare weapon. In real life, it was used by men on foot to fight against mounted cavalry, however polearms were much easier to produce and in most cases were more effective in that role.