Let's talk today legendary ancient swords . It is true that in Supercurioso we have presented some of them, such as: The Italian Excalibur: the sword of San Galgano Y The sword of Damocles , with its corresponding legend. However, this time we want to take you to the other side of the world, to a country that fascinates many, to discover the story of a legendary weapon that many know as Kusanagi sword.
We travel to the East, to Japan, to take one of the most beautiful and peculiar weapons of Japanese history. Your full name? Kusanagi-no-tsurugi , although it is also known with the poetic name of "The sword of the rain of clouds in cluster" or even as "The sword of the serpent". Want to know more about her? Keep reading!
The sword Kusanagi, the legendary Japanese weapon
If you are a fan of sleeve or the Anime You may have seen it in emblematic series like "Naruto", "Inuyasha" or "One Piece" , among many. It is, without a doubt, a unique and special piece within the history of Japan , where at moments his stele is mixed with the legendary, but even so, there are several sources that assure that this mythical sword really existed.
Let's delve a bit into its history to delight in that world where the legend brings us truly fascinating scenes. Can you come with us?
Kusanagi-no-tsurugi, a sword from the Bronze Age
In the first place we have to clarify an important aspect. When talking about japanese swords , the first thing that comes to mind is the classic Katana. In this case it is not like that, our Kusanagi is very old: it goes back to the Bronze Age and it is a completely straight and double-edged weapon.
Its hilt is not very striking and weighs a little more than the classic katanas. According to the description of a priest of the Edo period , Kusanagi measures about 84 centimeters, It is white and has the shape of a "dog tooth". However, it has something very special ...
Where is the Kusanagi sword? Is she cursed?
The Kusanagi sword it represents courage and audacity and is one of the imperial treasures of Japan, but you will not find it exhibited. Today, it is thought that it remains hidden and protected in the sanctuary of Atsuta.
The reason why it may be hidden is because, in the year 688, it was decided to leave it here because they thought it was the cause of the disease of the Emperor Tenmu. Perhaps the regent had lost courage and his own weapon had punished him. It is not clear. Be that as it may, it is said that this weapon had the power to offer strength to whoever possessed it, but it also had that "dark" reverse, because of which Kusanagi carried a curse or punishment for those who dared to take it without deserving it.
But is there clear evidence that this sword is still in the Atsuta sanctuary where, supposedly, they hid it? You will be surprised to know that only a few years ago Japanese television NHK, He made a documentary to talk about his story and get real images of the sword. They did it? Absolutely. They affirmed that it was, that it was real, but that they found it in a very bad state and they did not want to take away that mystical shine that it has for the people, that aura with which the fantastic Kusanagi sword is usually known.
The power of Kusanagi: control the wind and more
There are many, many legends forging the old edge of this weapon of the Bronze Age, is, so to speak, the Japanese Excalibur , but with the difference that Kusanagi is not so much a sword to wield on battlefields, but rather for ceremonial rites.
The Kusanagi sword is able to control the wind, to offer value and create incredible wonders.
- Kusanagi and the 8-headed snake
In the province of Izumo, an 8-headed snake, whose name was Yamata-no-Orochi, had terrified a rich family, to the point that it had devoured 7 of the 8 daughters of the marriage.
They were desperate and the father asked for help from one of their gods, called Susanoo, who was moved by the situation and attacked the creature. Unfortunately, she had to withdraw: she was too powerful.
Susanoo needed an incentive to defeat the snake, which had proved extremely dangerous, and asked the family if in exchange for defeating the monster he could marry the eighth daughter. They agreed and the god thought of a plan to end the reptile once and for all.
Finally, he prepared eight bowls with sake and left them in the middle of a road through which Yamata-no-Orochi used to pass. The serpent drank and when she was asleep, lost in the drunken torpor, Susanoo cut her 8 heads. When he cut off his tail, a sword appeared: Kusanagi.
Susanoo was left with this weapon, which he kept as a treasure, until he offered it to his sister Amaterasu to make peace and for the goddess to allow her to return from exile.
Thus, it makes sense that Kusanagi also receives the name of the "sword of the serpent".
- Kusanagi and Yamato Takeru
Another legend says that, after the above, the goddess Amaterasu handed over the sword Kusanagi to a great warrior named Yamato Takeru, who was the son of Emperor Keiko.
The story goes that Yamato was hunting when he was surprised by a rival, who took advantage of the fact that the young man was in the middle of a field of dry grass to burn it and, thus, burn him alive. Yamato used his sword to cut the burning plants and send the fire in the direction of his enemy. You can imagine the fate of this.
Thus, after such a feat, Kusanagi became famous and his name began to resonate in all corners of ancient Japan, as a weapon capable of controlling the breeze, fire and grass of the fields.
"Naruto" and the sword Kusanagi
Of course, a Japanese legendary weapon like this one should have its space in the Japanese anime series that review the folklore of this country, mixing it with fabulous plots and characters that have captivated a large audience. This is the case of the animation series "Naruto".
In this case, recover the element of the snake to present us with a Kusanagi sword that is hidden inside a snake, which in turn is hidden inside the stomach of the owner of the weapon - in the series Orochimaru . A somewhat macabre scene, why deny it? But surely many spectators remember and perhaps thereafter the name of this sword was burned into his mind. See how everything described above happens in "Naruto":
In this anime the powers of Kusanagi are:
- It can cut any material
- It can be lengthened to allow a remote attack
- It can levitate, according to the desire of its owner
- It can change shape to that of a snake
Simply fantastic, a mythical sword that still leaves its wake in num eros manga series and anime, that every amateur, without a doubt, identify.
Are you one of them? Have you encountered the Kusanagi sword in any videogame, in any television series?
Do not hesitate to leave us your comments and to know also: 7 books about samurai that you MUST read.
Image: Santiago F.G. , Antoine Coffinet , Bwana McCall