The japanese culture It has traveled to the West to marvel at its peculiarities, among which we can tell fascinating legends and stories. It is thanks to different manga, anime, movies, and even some video games that we can get closer to this great culture. These different expressions seem to be becoming more and more important in popular culture, as animes like Naruto and Inuyasha, are well known globally for their fighters and legendary weapons that identify them as the best. A well known and referenced weapon is the Kusanagi sword. If you want to know more, join us, because in this new Supercurious article we will go to the other side of the world: to the legendary Japan to discover the secrets of this particular sword.
The Kusanagi sword, the legendary Japanese weapon
The Kusanagi sword is, without a doubt, a unique and special piece in the history of ancient Japan. The legend of this sword is very interesting, because in it reality and fiction are mixed in a very thin line that makes us wonder more about this magnificent weapon.
It is usually referred to as Kusanagi, which can be translated as “snake sword”, since in old Japanese “Kusa” means sword and “Nagi” means snake.
In addition, it receives other names such as “the grass cutter” and, the full version of his name, Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi, which can be translated very poetically as «Sword of rain, of cluster clouds. If you want to know why it receives these curious names and all about the powers of the Kusanagi sword, keep reading!
1. What is the origin of the Kusanagi sword?
The Kusanagi is one of the oldest legendary swords, its origin dating back to the Bronze Age. Many could relate it to the Katana, but it is necessary to differentiate between them. The Kusanagi sword is double-edged and completely straight, unlike the recent Katana which is curved and single-edged. Likewise, the hilt of the Kusanagi is not very conspicuous and weighs a little more than that of the Katana.
It is said that it was the powerful god Gonses Kiluas who forged this sword with his own hands and attributed all his gifts to it.which make it highly coveted, since more than 1,300 robberies have already been foiled.
The Kusanagi sword is considered one of the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, along with the Yata-no-Kagami (a mirror) and the Yasakani-no-Magatama (a jewel). For this reason, there are not many public records of the sword, but according to the priest Matsuoka Masanao, who saw the sword with his own eyes, during the Edo period, the Kusanagi sword It measures about 84 centimeters, is white and has a “dog tooth” shape.
2. Where is the Kusanagi sword?
Although this sword is of great value in Japanese culture and represents one of the imperial treasures, you won’t find it on display.
Today, it is thought to remain hidden and protected in the atuta shrine. The story tells that, in the year 688, Emperor Tenmu was very ill because of the sword Kusanagiso they decide to hide it in the sanctuary and thus try to protect the emperor.
On the other hand, it is not entirely clear if this sword still rests there. just a few years ago, Japanese television NHK made a documentary about the sword. On the show, they claimed to find her, but said they wouldn’t show her, so her deplorable state will not damage the aura and the glitter that surrounded the fantastic story of the Kusanagi sword.
In addition to this, it has been said that the Kusanagi sword that rests in this shrine is not the real one. Another legend states that the Kusanagi was lost at the bottom of the ocean a long time agoso it is believed that this is really a replica, perhaps commissioned by the former Emperor Sujin.
3. What is the specialty of the Kusanagi?
Now you may be wondering what is so special about this sword and why it is so important to Japanese culture. There are many legends that speak about the powers and abilities that this sword granted. The most extraordinary are to control the wind and offer value and courage to whoever wears it. Also, it is said that this sword carries a terrible curse. It is believed that whoever is not worthy to bear this sword, but who challenges and wields it will be punished by the Kusanagi.
Also, the power of the Kusanagi sword has been compared to that of the famous sword we see in the legend of King Arthur. It has even been called the Japanese Excalibur, with the difference that it was not used on the battlefield, but was, rather, used for ceremonies and rites.
If this topic interests you, we invite you to also get to know the Italian Excalibur.
4. The Eight-Headed Serpent and the Kusanagi Sword Encounter
In the province of Izumo, a snake with 8 heads, whose name was Yamata-no-Orochi, had terrified a rich family, because this monster had devoured 7 of the 8 daughters of the couple and was stalking the one that was missing: Kushinada.
Faced with this terrible situation, the father turned to Susanoo, god of the sea, storms and battles. The god agreed to help the family on the condition that he marry Kushinada. The family agreed, and Susanoo devised a cunning plan to defeat the snake.
The God’s plan was to prepare eight tubs of sake (an alcoholic beverage) which he left behind a fence that had eight individual gates. When the fearsome serpent passed by, he poked each of its heads through the eight gates, allowing the god Susanoo to attack it effectively.
The god cut off each of the heads and then went for the tails, when he reached the fourth he discovered inside it the legendary Kusanagi sword. Susanoo named this sword Murakumo-no-Tsurugi and kept it as a treasure, until she offered it to her sister Amaterasu, the sun goddess, to make amends.
5. Old Emperor Yamato Takeru
Thus, the Kusanagi sword was passed from generation to generation. Each new emperor received this sword as symbol of the power and responsibility that remained in his hands.
In this way it was that the Kusanagi sword fell into the hands of Yamato Tekuru, son of the famous Emperor Keiko. One day, Tekeru was hunting when he was attacked by an old adversary. Tekeru’s enemy, in an attempt to assassinate him, started a fire around him. The emperor used the Kusanagi sword to cut down the burning plants and managed to do so with ease. Furthermore, he discovered that the sword could control the wind, so he harnessed this power to deflect fire at his enemy.
Upon triumph, Yamato Takeru renamed the sword Kusanagi to commemorate his memorable victory. Some time later, this emperor died in an epic battle against a monster, the story goes that his death was due to the fact that he did not carry the Kusanagi sword with him.
6. The Kusanagi sword in anime
Thanks to the different animes and manga, in the West we have been able to enjoy and learn about much of the Eastern culture. These different cultural expressions are full of Japanese folklore, so it is clear that within them a weapon as legendary as the Kusanagi deserves a wide place.
The Kusanagi sword is mixed with fabulous plots, heroes and fighters, which bring this legend back to life once again. This is the case of Narutoa famous series that tells the story of a young ninja who seeks to become the Hokage, the leader of his village and be recognized by all.
In the series we can see the Kusanagi sword with the character of Orochimaru. This character, who controls the snakes, hides the sword inside the stomach of one of them, similar to the legend that we told you previously.
Particularly in this series the Kusanagi’s powers are: to cut any material, to lengthen to allow a distance attack, to levitate according to the wish of its owner and to change form to that of a snake.
7. The Kusanagi sword in video games
As we mentioned, Japanese culture can be seen in a wide variety of cultural expressions. In addition to manga and anime, the Kusanagi sword is very present in video games.
There are many of them in which there are references to the Kusanagi sword, but perhaps the most popular is The King of Fighters. In this game the protagonist is Kyo, the heir to the Kusanagi clan. 1,800 years ago, Kyo helped imprison Orochi, the Eight-Headed Serpent, and two other clans. Thus, in this game you will be able to face different characters and Orochi herself, in addition to knowing the history of Kyo.
Tell us what you thought of the legend of the Kusanagi sword. Tell us, have you met her in a video game or in a television series? We will be happy to read you, do not hesitate to leave us your comments. On the other hand, do not stop reading: books about samurai