The Birth of Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi: Japan’s Legendary Sword
Japan is a country where the line between history and mythology is often beautifully blurred. Nowhere is this more evident than in the story of the Imperial Regalia, the three sacred treasures that symbolize the legitimacy of the Emperor. Among the mirror and the jewel lies the most thrilling artifact of all: the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi (Grass-Cutting Sword). But before it became a symbol of the throne, it was born from a violent encounter between a storm god and a terrifying monster. This is the story of how Japan’s Excalibur came to be.
Origins of the Sacred Blade
The Kusanagi sword is not merely a weapon; it is a spiritual entity deeply embedded in the Shinto faith. While physically believed to be a bronze or iron sword from the Yayoi or Kofun periods, its true origins are recorded in Japan’s oldest historical chronicles: the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters, 712 AD) and the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan, 720 AD).
Originally named Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi (Sword of the Gathering Clouds of Heaven), it represents the virtue of valor. Unlike Western legends where swords are forged by blacksmiths, this blade was discovered inside the body of a beast, marking its birth as a supernatural event rather than a manufacturing process.
The Legend: Susanoo and the Dragon
The birth of the sword takes place during the Age of the Gods. Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the impetuous Shinto god of storms and the sea, had been banished from the High Celestial Plain (Takamagahara) for his unruly behavior toward his sister, the sun goddess Amaterasu.
Susanoo descended to the province of Izumo in western Japan. While wandering by the Hi River, he encountered an elderly couple weeping over their daughter, Kushinada-hime. Upon inquiring about their grief, the couple explained that for seven years, a terrifying monster named Yamata-no-Orochi had come to devour one of their daughters. Now, it was time for the eighth and final daughter to be sacrificed.
The Battle with Yamata-no-Orochi
Yamata-no-Orochi was no ordinary beast. It was a gigantic serpent with eight heads and eight tails, its body covered in moss and cypress trees, stretching across eight valleys and eight peaks. Susanoo, seeking redemption and entranced by the maiden’s beauty, struck a deal: he would slay the serpent if he could take Kushinada-hime as his wife.
Susanoo devised a cunning trap. He instructed the couple to brew eight vats of strong sake (rice wine) and build a fence with eight gates. When the monster arrived, each of its eight heads dipped into a vat to drink the alcohol. The beast soon fell into a drunken stupor.
Seizing the moment, Susanoo drew his own sword and hacked the serpent to pieces. As he cut into the fourth tail, his blade chipped. Suspicious, he sliced the flesh open carefully and discovered a brilliant, sharp greatsword hidden within the monster’s tail. This was the birth of the Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi.
Realizing this was a divine object, Susanoo did not keep it. Instead, he offered it to his sister, Amaterasu, as a reconciliation gift, allowing it to eventually be passed down to the Imperial line.
Modern Culture & Pop Culture Impact
Centuries later, the sword was renamed Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi after the legendary hero Yamato Takeru used it to cut burning grass to escape an ambush. Today, the legend of the sword permeates modern Japanese culture.
- Anime and Manga: Fans of Naruto will recognize the Kusanagi sword used by Orochimaru (who is heavily inspired by the serpent myth). In One Piece, Admiral Kizaru uses an attack named after the sword. It is a staple weapon in the Persona and Final Fantasy video game series.
- Imperial Rites: The sword remains a crucial part of the Japanese enthronement ceremony. During the ascension of Emperor Naruhito in 2019, the sword (boxed and wrapped in silk) was present, symbolizing the transfer of divine authority.
Traveler’s Tips: Visiting the Legend
For travelers fascinated by this myth, the sword is said to reside at Atsuta Shrine (Atsuta Jingu) in Nagoya. However, there is a catch: the sword is never shown to the public. It remains hidden deep within the sanctuary, unseen even by the priests.
Visiting Atsuta Shrine:
- Location: Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. It is easily accessible via the Meitetsu line to Jingu-mae Station.
- Atmosphere: Despite being in a bustling city, the shrine grounds are a serene forest sanctuary. Walk the gravel paths and feel the weight of history.
- What to Eat: Don’t miss Kishimen (flat udon noodles), a local specialty served at the shrine’s restaurant.
- Etiquette: Bow at the torii gates, cleanse your hands at the water pavilion, and offer a prayer at the main hall. While you cannot see the Kusanagi, you are standing in the presence of one of Japan’s oldest mysteries.
Alternatively, you can visit the Yaegaki Shrine in Shimane Prefecture (formerly Izumo), which is dedicated to Susanoo and Kushinada-hime, the couple at the center of the legend.
Sources & Further Reading
- The Kojiki: Translated by Basil Hall Chamberlain or Donald L. Philippi. The oldest chronicle of myths.
- The Nihon Shoki: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to A.D. 697.
- Atsuta Jingu Official Website: For visitor information and shrine history.