Short swords/Long daggers were called gardening tools in Fuedal Japan. Leaders couldn't trust their guests, so they made all sorts of rules to prevent dying.

There was a "no weapons allowed on your person" rule due to the constant assassination attempts. Additionally, the "house clothes" everyone was required to wear, the kind with the big belt and narrow skirt, was designed to keep guests from running. Paranoia, but justified paranoia. Eventually, these anti-murder measures were turned into a kind of cultural etiquette for nobility.

Calling a short sword or long knife a gardening tool was the guest's answer to the weapon restrictions. "What? This? You are mistaken, sir. This is my gardening knife for pruning. It most certainly is not a short sword! The etching of "Death to the weeds of society" on the blade is just how i declare my intent to garden, sir. I think we can all agree weeds are bad, yes? Great. Now leave me alone, weed."