“KUSANAGI”
CHOKUTO SWORD
Inspired By:
Sasuke Uchiha’s Sword of Kusanagi in the Anime Naruto
Details & Specs
Length
Overall Length
41.75”
Blade Length
29.5”
Handle & Scabbard
Material
Walnut Painted Black
Blade
Material
5160 Steel
Thickness
0.25
Width
1.25”
Wielding
Point of Balance
6.5” from Guard
Total Weight
2 lb 3.8 oz
Was there a REAL Sword of Kusanagi?
The Sword of Kusanagi is based on a real legendary Japanese Sword named the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi (草薙の剣) or “Grass Cutting Sword.” The sword represents the virtue of valor.
One of the three Imperial Regalia of Japan, the sword is the property of the Emperor of Japan, and is not allowed to be seen by the public. In fact, no pictures or video of the sword even exist! It is supposed to be safeguarded at Atsuta Shrine.
Many years ago, during the Edo period, a Shinto priest named Matsuoka Masanao claimed to see the sword while there were repairs underway in Atsuta Shrine. He said, "a stone box was inside a wooden box of length 150 cm (59 in), with red clay stuffed into the gap between them. Inside the stone box was a hollowed log of a camphor tree, acting as another box, with an interior lined with gold. Above that was placed a sword. Red clay was also stuffed between the stone box and the camphor tree box. The sword was about 82 cm (32 in) long. Its blade resembled a calamus leaf. The middle of the sword had a thickness from the grip about 18 cm (7.1 in) with an appearance like a fish spine. The sword was fashioned in a white metallic color, and well maintained."
After the priests at Atsuta Shrine saw the the sword, legend has it that the grand priest was banished, and all the other priests died of disease. Matsuoka was the only priest alive to tell the tale.
“Sword of Kusanagi”
The Story of the Sword
The Story of the Real Sword of Kusanagi
The Kusanagi no Tsurugi, or "Grass Cutting Sword," is a legendary Japanese sword.
It is said to be one of the three Imperial Regalia of Japan, along with the Yata no Kagami mirror and the Yasakani no Magatama jewel.
According to legend, the god Susanoo found a family that was very sad. The family's eight daughters had all been eaten by a giant snake with eight heads. The snake was coming for the last daughter.
Susanoo offered to help the family by killing the snake, and in exchange he asked for the daughter's hand in marriage. The family agreed.
Susanoo attacked the snake, chopping off each of its heads and tails.
In the fourth tail, he found a great sword inside the body of the serpent. He called it Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi. The sword was given to the goddess Amaterasu as a gift to settle an old grievance.
Generations later, during the reign of the 12th Emperor Keikō, Yamato Takeru was given Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi as a pair of gifts from his aunt, Yamatohime-no-mikoto, to protect him in times of peril.
These gifts came in handy when Yamato Takeru was tricked by a treacherous warlord. The lord set fire to the grass to trap Yamato Takeru. He also killed the warrior's horse so he couldn't escape. But then Yamato Takeru used the Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi to cut back the grass and remove fuel from the fire. He found out that he could control the wind with this sword.
Yamato Takeru used his sword and fire to make a big fire. The lord and his men saw the fire and ran away. Yamato Takeru renamed the sword Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi - "Grass Cutting Sword" to remember what happened.
In the Japanese Tale of the Heike, a collection of epic poetry written down 200 years after the original event in 1185, the Kusanagi no Tsurugi sword is lost at sea after the defeat of the Heike Clan in a naval battle. The Emperor and his entourage commit suicide by drowning in the waters of the strait, taking with them the sacred jewel and the sword. The jewel is later recovered but the sword is lost forever.
Another story says that the sword was stolen by a priest in the 6th century. His ship sank, the sword was washed away, and recovered by a group of Shinto priests from Ise.
The Story of Sasuke Uchiha’s Sword of Kusanagi
Sasuke Uchiha is a legendary shinobi in the Naruto Anime world who is known for his prodigious skills with a sword.
One of his most famous weapons is Sword of Kusanagi, a very coveted weapon. Many people have tried to obtain it over the years. It is said that whoever possesses it will be a force to be reckoned with
This sword is said to be forged from the fang of a dragon, and it is incredibly sharp and powerful. Sasuke is said to be one of the few people who can wield this sword effectively, and he has used it to great effect in battle to protect his friends and allies.
The sword is a symbol of Sasuke's power.
He starts using a sword after training with Orochimaru. He uses it a lot during Part II, and can often cut down multiple opponents quickly. He also uses it defensively to block or keep people away from him. He often channels his lightning chakra into the sword to make it cut better. He becomes skilled enough in using a sword to be able to use it in either hand very easily.
In the Naruto Anime, Sasuke can use a skill called Amaterasu. Notice the relation to the real sword story? This skill allows him to set things on fire with black flames. The flames can burn anything. He can also use Susanoo, a spectral warrior that protects him and helps him out. Do you see that connection too?