Kusanagi

Kusanagi-no-tsurugi (Japanese: 草薙の剣) is a legendary Japanese sword as important to Japan's history as Excalibur is to Britain's. It is actually called Ame no Murakumo no Tsurugi (天叢雲剣, lit. "Sword of gathering clouds of heaven") but it is more popularly called Kusanagi (lit. "grasscutter" or more probably "sword of snake"). It may also be called Tsumugari no Tachi (都牟刈の太刀). The actual Kusanagi, if it exists, is likely to be a sword in the style of the bronze age which is typically double-edged, short and straight; very different from the more recent katana backsword style, which features typical curved single-edged blades.

Legends

The history of Kusanagi extends into legend. According to Kojiki, the Japanese god Susanoo encountered a grieving family headed by Ashi na Zuchi in Izumo province. When Susanoo inquired of Ashi na Zuchi, he told him that his family was being ravaged by the fearsome Yamato no Orochi, 8-headed serpent of Koshi, who consumed seven of the family's eight daughters and that the creature was coming for his final daughter, Kushinada. Susanoo proceeded to investigate the creature, and after an abortive encounter he returned with a plan to defeat it. In return, he asked for Kushinada's hand in marriage, which was agreed. Transforming her temporarily into a comb to have her company during battle, he detailed his plan.

He instructed the preparation of 8 vats of sake (rice wine) to be put on individual platforms positioned behind a fence with 8 gates. The monster took the bait and put each of its heads through each gate. With this distraction, Susanoo attacked and slew the beast. He decapitated each head and then proceeded to the tails. In the fourth tail, he discovered a great sword inside the body of the dragon which he called Ame Murakumo-No-Tsurugi (Sword of Billowing Clouds), which he presented to the goddess, Amaterasu to settle an old grievance.

Generations later in the reign of the 12th emperor, Emperor Keikō, the sword was given to the great warrior, Yamato Takeru as part of a pair of gifts given by his aunt, Yamato Hime the Shrine Maiden of Ise Shrine, to protect her nephew in times of peril.

These gifts came in handy when Yamato Takeru was lured onto an open grassland during a hunting expedition by a treacherous warlord. The lord had fiery arrows to ignite the grass and trap Yamato Takeru in the field so that he would burn to death. He also killed the warrior's horse to prevent his escape. Desperately, Yamato Takeru used Ame Murakumo no Tsurugi to cut back the grass and remove fuel from the fire, but in doing so, he discovered that the sword enabled him to control the wind and cause it to move in the direction of his swing. Taking advantage of this magic, Yamato Takeru used his other gift, fire strikers, to enlarge the fire in the direction of the lord and his men, and he used the winds controlled by the sword to sweep the blaze toward them. In triumph, Yamato Takeru renamed the sword Kusanagi (lit. "Grasscutter") to commemorate his narrow escape and victory. Eventually, Yamato Takeru married and fell in battle with a monster, after ignoring his wife's advice to take Kusanagi with him.

While this is the most popular theory of how Kusanagi got its name, researchers agree that it is most likely false. In the ancient Japanese language, kusa meant sword and nagi meant snake. Thus, an alternative theory is that Kusanagi meant sword of the snake.

Present State of Kusanagi

Although the sword is mentioned in the Kojiki, this book is a collection of Japanese myths and is not considered a historical document. The first reliable historical mention of the sword is in the Nihonshoki. Although the Nihonshiki also contains mythological stories that are not considered reliable history, it records some events that were contemporary or nearly contemporary to its writing, and these sections of the book are considered historical. In the Nihonshoki, the Kusanagi was removed from the Imperial palace in 688, and moved to Atsuta Shrine after the sword was blamed for causing Emperor Temmu to fall ill. Along with the jewel and the mirror, it is one of the three imperial regalia of Japan, the sword representing the virtue of valor.

Kusanagi is allegedly kept at Atsuta shrine to this day, although it is not available for public display, and its existence cannot be confirmed. It is recorded that during the Edo period, a Shinto priest claimed to have seen the sword. According to him, the sword was about 84cm long, shaped like calamus, fashioned in a white metallic color, and well maintained. Another record claims that this priest died from the curse and the power of the sword, but this is most likely a story that was spread to emphasize its power.

In recent times, Japan's nationally run broadcasting station, NHK, went to Atsuta Shrine to videotape the sword. However, the priests declined to present it, although they did not deny its existence.

Although some sword may be held by the Atsuta shrine, it is somewhat unlikely to be the legendary Kusanagi. In The Tale of the Heike, a collection of oral stories transcribed in 1371, the sword is lost at sea after the defeat of the Heike clan in the Battle of Dan-no-ura, a naval battle that ended in the defeat of the Heike clan forces and the child Emperor Antoku at the hands of Minamoto no Yoshitsune. In the tale, upon hearing of the Navy's defeat, the Emperor's grandmother led the Emperor and his entourage to commit suicide by drowning in the waters of the strait along with the three imperal regalia, including Kusanagi. Although the Minamoto troops managed to stop a handful of them and recovered two of the three regalia, Kusanagi was said to have been lost forever. Although written about historical events, The Tale of the Heike is a collection of epic poetry passed down orally and written down nearly 200 years after the actual events, so its reliability as a historical document is questionable.

According to some records, the tenth emperor, Emperor Sujin, is reported to have ordered the fashioning of a replica of Kusanagi. However, this information was reportedly only made public after it was known that the sword had been stolen. The imperial household claimed that it was the replica which was stolen, but it is just as likely that the replica was made after the fact to replace the irrecoverable sword. It should be noted that Emperor Sujin is considered a "legendary Emperor" by historians, because of a lack of sufficient evidence to assign him to a historical period.

Another story holds that the sword was reportedly stolen again in the 6th century by a Chinese monk. However, his ship allegedly sank at sea, allowing the sword to wash ashore at Ise, where it was recovered by Shinto priests. Given the somewhat fantastic nature of this story, its historical accuracy is questionable.

Due to the refusal of Shinto priests to show the sword, and the rather sketchy nature of its historical references, the current state of or even the existence at all of the sword as a historical artifact cannot be confirmed.

In popular culture

Much like Excalibur, Kusanagi's high profile has made it popular, appearing in various works of fiction. Its appearance typically signals the nearing of an end of the storyline as it is the most powerful item next to the divine spear, Amenonuhoko, which was used to create the islands of Japan. But unlike Excalibur, it is rare for characters to actually use one in a combat as it is a ceremonial weapon. Instead, its magical properties are stressed. As in its mythic origin, it typically gives its wielder the power to control the wind, and it is one of the most powerful weapons used to support the performance of miracles. It is sometimes misrepresented as a katana, because it is a Japanese weapon.

Comics and Manga

• Kusanagi is the subject of two story arcs in Usagi Yojimbo, which are published in bound editions as Grasscutter and Grasscutter II books. In this series, the legends and history of the sword are extensively illustrated which leads into a story where Usagi inadvertantly gains possession of the long lost sword and must battle the demonic villain Jei for it. In the sequel, Usagi and his allies decide to transport the sword to a temple where it would be hidden in plain sight, supposedly as a replica of itself, despite enemies out to seize the revered weapon. In the stories, the sword is shown to be subtly magical as it cannot be corrupted by Jei's power and it's the only weapon which is able to kill the villain, or at least the host body of the black soul which controls him.
• The sword, jewel, and mirror may also be the inspiration for the orb, mirror, and sword in the earlier saga of Yuyu Hakusho that Yusuke Urameshi needs to return before Enma (King Yama) realizes they are missing.
• Naruto character Orochimaru carries the sword of Kusanagi in his snake's throat. The sword is accurately depicted as an unbreakable, straight-bladed bronze age-style weapon. Sasuke Uchiha wields a second Kusanagi alike to Orochimaru's which is black in appearance and he channels his power into.
• In the manga Blue Seed, there is a character named Kusanagi who has sword-like weapons that extend from his arms. The anime is heavily based on the myth of Susano-o and Kushi Nada Hime.
• In the manga X/1999, one of the antagonists is the gentle Kusanagi Shiyuu. He is linked telepathically to the natural world and can manipulate the element of earth.
• In Kia Asamiya's Space Battleship Nadesico manga, the alternate universe called Yamato is a world in which Japan won the second world war, and the world has evolved into a shamanic religious planet. In their universe, the sun has disappeared with the death of their Head Priestess, and they are trying to invade our universe. In order to be able to take over our universe, they need three artifacts which they sent to our dimension through the storm on Jupiter, one of which was the Kusanagi Sword. Here, it was replicated as a several metre long blade large enough for a mech to wield, which had been excavated from ruins on the moon. It was eventually used to defeat the energy-absorbing dragon Yabatanoorochi before it absorbed the energy from our sun and destroyed our universe.

Anime

• In Blue Seed, the main hero of the story is named Mamoru Kusanagi.
• In the animated feature Ghost in the Shell, one of the main characters, a female cyborg, is named Major Motoko Kusanagi (草薙素子 Kusanagi Motoko).
• In the anime Sailor Moon, the outer Sailor Senshi (Sailor Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto) own similar items called "talismans" that were more than likely derived from the three regalia. They are Deep Aqua Mirror (mirror), Space Sword (sword), and Garnet Orb (jewel).
• In the anime Gundam Seed and Gundam Seed Destiny, there is an Izumo class battleship named Kusanagi.
• In the anime InuYasha, the third movie briefly mentions Kusanagi, the sword for which the Sounga was mistaken, with the history of the Kusanagi recited by the grandfather of one of the main characters.
• In the anime of Naruto, the villain behemoth Orochimaru wields the indestructable Kusanagi of the Heavens that glows a bluish, white color. It is also depicted as a broadsword in the anime (in the manga it is a straight edge katana). The sword is held within a snake that Orochimaru regurgitates. Sasuke Uchiha, Orochimaru's apprentice, also wields a longer Kusanagi sword (although not clarified as indestructable), though this blade is a long katana with no handguard.
• In the anime series Onegai Teacher (Please, Teacher), one of the main characters is named Kei Kusanagi.
• In the anime series Ronin Warriors (Yoroiden-Samurai Troopers), the main characters used the sacred Three Treasures to help them defeat their opponents. The Soul Swords of Fervor represent Kusanagi; The Jewel of Life is the jewel that helps in the final defeat of Talpa; the Armors of Inferno (Black and White Kikoutei) are the (mirror(s)) that reflect the hope and destruction with the gradual usage of the armor gears.
• In the anime series X/1999, Kusanagi Shiyuu is one of the Dragons of Earth (The Seven Angels).
• In the anime Yu-Yu Hakusho, the demons Kurama, Hiei, and Gouki steal three items from spirit world. They were the Mirror of Forlorn Hope, the Sword of Darkness (may need a title check), and the Orb of Souls.

Video games

• Kyo Kusanagi (草薙 京 Kusanagi Kyō) is the main character of SNK Playmore's King of Fighters series from 94 to 97 and is the descendant of the Kusanagi Clan Leader who helped seal away Orochi with the Yasakani and Yata Clans. The descendants of those clans, Iori Yagami (Who holds the Magatama) and Chizuru Kagura (Who holds the Mirror) both appear in The King of Fighters alongside Kyo. In the end of King of Fighters '97, the three of them must team together to re-seal a freed Orochi. Also, Kyo's father, Saisyu Kusanagi, has a super move called Tsumugari, which is part of one of the names for the sword.
• In the game Ogre Battle Kusanagi is a holy weapon, capable of killing undead.
• One of Strider Hiryu's moves in Marvel vs. Capcom is named "Ame no Murakumo", which is part of the full name of the legendary sword.
• In the online video game, Phantasy Star Online, there are three rare items based on the three sacred treasures. The Kusanagi (sword), Yata Mirror (mirror), and the Yasakani Magatama (jewel)
• In the video game Tales of Symphonia, there are three rare items based on the three sacred treasures. The Kusanagi (sword), Yata Mirror (mirror), and the Yasakani Magatama (jewel).
• In the Video Game Saga Frontier there is magical sword called the Kusanagi, which can be won from an undead king, and to unlock the door to him you need three artifacts, namely the jewel Magatama, the sword Murakumo and a shield.
• In the video game Shadow Hearts: Covenant, one part of the final boss Susano-O, is the Kusanagi sword. The other two parts are the Yata Mirror (mirror), and the Yasakani Magatama (jewel).
• In the Video Game Golden Sun: The Lost Age, the village of Izumo is being threatened by a great serpent, who wishes to devour eight maidens from the village. In order for the serpent to be slain, the local hero of the village gets the serpent drunk and the main characters kill it. Once it is defeated, you find a weapon called the Cloud Brand in its tail.
• In the video game Dark Chronicle, one of the main female character's weapons is called Ame no Murakumo.
• In the video game The Legend of Dragoon the divine moon objects are the moon gem, the moon mirror, and the moon dagger. This could represent the imperial treasures, especially because Kusanagi could be called a knife due to its short length.
• In the video game Inindo, Kusanagi can be found in a cave.
• In the video game Final Fantasy XI 'Amenomurakumo' is the Relic Samurai weapon. It is incredibly hard to obtain, thus obtaining it is considered the final achievement of most Samurai.
• In the video game Dark Cloud 2, the 'Ama no Murakumo' is an obtainable sword for Monica.
• In the Final Fantasy series, a weapon named 'Heaven's Cloud' makes an appearance. The description in Final Fantasy Tactics says it was "pulled from the tail of a powerful dragon."
• In the video game Ōkami, Amaterasu holds the sword Kusanagi by the hilt on her mouth.
• In the video game Kartia, one of the most powerful swords in the game is called the Kusanagi Blade. To create it, the player must combine the texts "Sword", "Authority", "Cut", and "Grass".

Other

In Dungeons & Dragons the sword is treated as a lawful good weapon that will only work in the hands of a member of the Japanese Imperial family. Kusanagi represents honesty, responsiveness, and quick thinking. It is treated by the game as an artifact sword of dancing. If it falls into the hands of anyone but an Japanese Imperial family member, it becomes a cursed, bloodlusting berserker weapon that will turn on its user.