Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi - The Grass-Cutting Sword

Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi (Japanese: "Grass-Cutting Sword") is one of the three Imperial Regalia of Japan, sacred objects that represent the legitimate authority of the Emperor and embody the divine nature of the Japanese imperial line. Along with the Yata no Kagami (mirror) and Yasakani no Magatama (jewel), Kusanagi forms the foundation of Japanese imperial legitimacy, connecting the Emperor to the sun goddess Amaterasu and to the age of the gods.

The sword's original name, Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi ("Sword of the Gathering Clouds of Heaven"), refers to the circumstances of its discovery inside the body of the eight-headed serpent Yamata-no-Orochi, whose presence was said to draw clouds. The more famous name Kusanagi ("Grass-Cutter") comes from the legendary hero Yamato Takeru, who used the sword to cut burning grass and escape an ambush, turning the flames back against his enemies.

Unlike the other Imperial Regalia, which have remained relatively secure, Kusanagi has experienced a turbulent history involving theft, loss, and recovery. The sword currently enshrined at Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya is considered the authentic Kusanagi, though a replica is used in imperial ceremonies. As with all sacred objects in Shinto tradition, the actual sword is never publicly displayed, adding to its mystical aura.

The sword's physical form has been the subject of much speculation and some historical investigation. Medieval accounts describe the sword being briefly glimpsed during moments of temple damage or theft, with witnesses reporting a blade of unusual shape or material. However, these accounts are inconsistent and potentially influenced by the expectations of observers who knew the myths surrounding the weapon.

In 1185, during the naval Battle of Dan-no-ura that concluded the Genpei War, Kusanagi was reportedly lost when the child Emperor Antoku drowned along with his grandmother and many court treasures. Whether the sword was recovered (as some accounts claim) or whether the current relic is a replacement has been debated for centuries. The Shinto priests at Atsuta maintain that the original sword was never truly lost but merely went through trials that proved its divine nature.

What remains consistent across all accounts is the sword's numinous quality, the sense that it is more than merely an object but a vessel of divine power. The sword does not derive its significance from exceptional craftsmanship or precious materials but from its mythological history and its role in legitimizing the imperial succession. In Shinto understanding, such sacred objects (shintai) serve as vessels through which kami (divine spirits) can interact with the physical world.

The origin of Kusanagi is recounted in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, the oldest chronicles of Japanese history and mythology. The sword's discovery occurs during one of the most dramatic episodes in Japanese mythology: the storm god Susanoo's battle with the eight-headed, eight-tailed serpent Yamata-no-Orochi.

Susanoo's Exile

The story begins with Susanoo-no-Mikoto, the storm god, one of the three noble children born from Izanagi when he purified himself after visiting the underworld. Susanoo's siblings were Amaterasu, the sun goddess, and Tsukuyomi, the moon god. While his siblings took their places in heaven, Susanoo's violent and chaotic nature caused trouble.

After committing various offenses against Amaterasu, including destroying her rice paddies, defiling her sacred halls, and frightening her weaving maidens so badly that one died, Susanoo was expelled from the heavenly realm. He descended to the province of Izumo in what is now Shimane Prefecture. There, his fortunes and the sword's story would intertwine.

The Eight-Headed Serpent

Wandering in Izumo, Susanoo encountered an elderly couple, Ashinazuchi and Tenazuchi, weeping beside a beautiful young woman. They explained that they had originally had eight daughters, but each year the terrible serpent Yamata-no-Orochi had come and devoured one. Now only Kushinadahime, the youngest, remained, and the serpent would soon come for her.

Yamata-no-Orochi was a monster of terrible power. Its body stretched across eight valleys and eight hills. Its eight heads and eight tails were covered with moss and trees growing from its scales. Its eyes glowed red like winter cherries. Wherever it traveled, storm clouds gathered, and its body dripped with blood and corruption.

Susanoo, struck by Kushinadahime's beauty, offered to slay the serpent in exchange for her hand in marriage. The parents agreed. Susanoo transformed the maiden into a comb, which he placed in his hair for safekeeping. Then he set his trap.

The Battle and Discovery

Susanoo commanded the elderly couple to brew sake, refined eight times, and to build a fence with eight gates, each with a platform holding a vat of the potent liquor. When Yamata-no-Orochi arrived, it thrust each of its eight heads through the gates and drank deeply from the vats. The serpent became drunk and fell asleep.

Susanoo attacked, using his divine sword to hack the serpent apart piece by piece. The river ran red with the monster's blood. When Susanoo reached one of the tails, his sword struck something hard and notched. Cutting open the tail, he discovered a magnificent sword hidden within the serpent's body.

Recognizing the sword's unusual nature, Susanoo named it Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi (Sword of the Gathering Clouds of Heaven), referring to the clouds that always hovered over the serpent. He presented the sword to his sister Amaterasu as a peace offering, reconciling their long enmity. The sword would remain in heaven until given to Amaterasu's descendant who would rule the earthly realm.

Descent to Earth

When Amaterasu sent her grandson Ninigi-no-Mikoto to rule the earthly realm of Japan, she gave him three treasures: the Yata no Kagami (mirror), the Yasakani no Magatama (jewel), and Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi (sword). These became the Imperial Regalia, symbols of the divine mandate to rule Japan that would pass to each subsequent emperor.

The mirror represented Amaterasu herself and the virtue of wisdom. The jewel represented benevolence. The sword represented valor and martial authority. Together, the three treasures embodied the complete nature of sovereignty, combining spiritual insight, compassion, and the courage to act. No emperor could legitimately rule without possessing all three.

Ninigi descended to earth at Takachiho in Kyushu. His great-grandson would become Emperor Jimmu, the legendary first Emperor of Japan, and from him the sword passed through generations until it reached the hands of the hero Yamato Takeru, who would give it its famous name.

Yamato Takeru and the Grass Fire

Prince Yamato Takeru, son of Emperor Keiko, was a legendary warrior whose exploits helped unify Japan under imperial rule. Before embarking on a campaign to subdue the eastern barbarians, he visited his aunt Yamato-hime-no-mikoto, the high priestess of Ise Grand Shrine, who gave him the sacred sword.

During his campaign, Yamato Takeru's enemies in Suruga Province lured him into a grass-covered plain and set the field ablaze while simultaneously attacking with superior numbers. Surrounded by fire with no escape, death seemed certain.

In desperation, Yamato Takeru drew the sacred sword. As he did, he discovered that it could control the wind. He used the sword to cut the burning grass around him while redirecting the wind to turn the flames against his attackers. The ambushers were consumed by their own fire, and Yamato Takeru emerged victorious. From that day, the sword was called Kusanagi, "Grass-Cutter."

Kusanagi possesses supernatural powers befitting its divine origin and its status as one of the three objects connecting Japan's emperors to the kami. Unlike some legendary weapons whose powers are primarily martial, Kusanagi's abilities encompass elements of nature, spiritual authority, and symbolic governance.

Symbolic Functions

Beyond its supernatural abilities, Kusanagi serves important symbolic functions:

• Martial Virtue: Among the three regalia, the sword represents the military aspect of rule, the emperor's role as commander and protector
• Valor: The sword symbolizes courage and the willingness to defend the nation and its people from threats
• Divine Descent: As a gift from heaven passed down through generations, the sword proves the emperor's descent from Amaterasu
• Unity: The sword's journey through Japan with Yamato Takeru represents the unification of the nation under imperial rule

Limitations and Conditions

Kusanagi's power appears conditional on proper relationship with the imperial line and the kami. When the sword was lost at Dan-no-ura, it was in the possession of a child emperor fleeing defeat, not in active use by a legitimate ruler on the throne. Some interpretations suggest the sword chose to return to the sea (returning toward its serpent origins) rather than fall into rebel hands.

The sword's powers also seem to require wielding by the worthy. Yamato Takeru could use its wind power because of his heroic nature and imperial blood. Whether others could access these powers remains unclear from the mythology.

Susanoo-no-Mikoto

Susanoo, the storm god, is Kusanagi's first known possessor. His character combines violence with heroism: expelled from heaven for his destructive behavior, he redeems himself by slaying Yamata-no-Orochi and presenting the sword to Amaterasu. Susanoo represents the raw, chaotic forces of nature that must be channeled toward protective rather than destructive ends.

His discovery of the sword within the serpent's body suggests a theme of treasure hidden within monsters, of good emerging from evil, of divine purpose working through unlikely circumstances. The sword was always destined for the imperial line, but it required Susanoo's violence to free it from its serpentine prison.

Amaterasu-Omikami

The sun goddess Amaterasu is the chief kami of Shinto and the divine ancestor of the Japanese imperial family. She received Kusanagi from her brother Susanoo and later gave it to her grandson Ninigi when he descended to rule the earth. The sword's passage through Amaterasu connects it to the highest divine authority.

Amaterasu's acceptance of the sword from Susanoo represented reconciliation between the estranged siblings. The sword thus carries associations with peace and reconciliation as well as martial valor. It is a gift that heals family division and establishes proper order.

Yamato Takeru

Yamato Takeru (meaning "Brave of Yamato") is the most famous human wielder of Kusanagi. His story combines tragedy with heroism. Sent on dangerous campaigns by a father who may have feared his abilities, Yamato Takeru conquered the enemies of the imperial court across Japan but never received proper recognition.

His relationship with Kusanagi reveals the sword's character. When he left the sword with his wife Miyazu-hime before venturing to defeat a deity on Mount Ibuki, he was struck down and eventually died. The sword that had protected him in so many dangers could not save him when left behind. This suggests the sword rewards those who trust in it but cannot help those who abandon it.

Upon Yamato Takeru's death, he transformed into a white bird and flew away. The legend captures Japanese cultural attitudes toward heroic sacrifice and the transcendence available even to those who die tragically. Miyazu-hime enshrined Kusanagi at Atsuta, where it has remained (with some interruptions) ever since.

Imperial Legitimacy

Kusanagi's primary significance lies in its role legitimizing the Japanese emperor. The divine origin of the imperial family, descending from Amaterasu through an unbroken line, is materially represented by the three regalia. Without these objects, especially the sword representing martial authority, an emperor's claim would lack its divine foundation.

This symbolism has made Kusanagi politically significant throughout Japanese history. During civil wars and succession disputes, control of the regalia determined which claimant could legitimately be considered emperor. The Southern Court during the Nanboku-cho period (1336-1392) claimed legitimacy partly through possession of the regalia, while the Northern Court ruled with replicas.

Martial Virtue (Bu)

Among the three regalia, Kusanagi specifically represents bu, martial virtue or valor. Japanese culture has long balanced bu (martial) with bun (cultural/civil) aspects of governance. The emperor must embody both, using force when necessary to protect the nation but preferring peace and civilization when possible.

The sword's association with Yamato Takeru reinforces this martial symbolism. Yamato Takeru's campaigns unified Japan under imperial rule, using violence in service of order. The sword represents this necessary violence, the willingness to fight for just causes.

Serpent and Storm

Kusanagi's origin in Yamata-no-Orochi connects it to serpent/dragon symbolism prevalent across East Asian cultures. Serpents and dragons represent water, storms, natural power, and transformation. The sword emerging from the serpent suggests the taming of chaotic natural forces for human benefit.

The storm god Susanoo's role in the story reinforces these associations. Storm destroys the destructive serpent, and from destruction emerges creation (the sword). This pattern reflects natural cycles of destruction and renewal central to Japanese spirituality.

Hidden Sacredness

The fact that Kusanagi is never publicly displayed reflects important Shinto concepts about sacred objects. The holiest things must be hidden, wrapped, protected from profane sight. The mysterious, unseen nature of the sword enhances rather than diminishes its power. Faith does not require visual confirmation; indeed, the unseen is often more powerful than the seen.

This hiddenness also protects the sacred mystery. If Kusanagi were displayed and examined, it might prove to be merely an ancient sword, disappointing those who expect supernatural radiance. By remaining hidden, it remains whatever the faithful imagine it to be, transcending physical limitations.

National Identity

Kusanagi contributes to Japanese national identity by representing the mythological foundation of the nation. The sword's journey across Japan with Yamato Takeru mirrors the unification of diverse regions into a single nation. Its ultimate home at Atsuta Shrine makes that location a center of national spiritual significance.

During Japan's imperial period (especially 1868-1945), the regalia were heavily emphasized as symbols of Japan's unique divine heritage. While post-war Japan has deemphasized these aspects, the regalia remain important for imperial ceremonies and for many Japanese as symbols of cultural continuity.

Video Games

Kusanagi appears frequently in Japanese video games:

• Final Fantasy series: Various games feature weapons named Kusanagi or Murakumo, typically powerful endgame swords
• Shin Megami Tensei series: The three imperial regalia appear as key items or powerful equipment, with Kusanagi providing significant combat benefits
• Okami: The three regalia feature prominently in this game based on Japanese mythology
• Fire Emblem: Various Kusanagi-named weapons appear throughout the series
• Warriors/Musou games: Characters based on Yamato Takeru and Susanoo often wield Kusanagi
• Nioh series: Features the sword among its legendary weapons

Anime and Manga

Kusanagi references pervade Japanese animation and comics:

• Naruto: Sasuke's ultimate technique is named "Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi"
• Ghost in the Shell: The protagonist's surname, Kusanagi, references the legendary sword
• Noragami: Features the three regalia in its mythology
• Various historical manga: Stories involving Yamato Takeru frequently depict the sword

Literature

Modern Japanese literature continues to engage with Kusanagi:

• Historical fiction: Novels about ancient Japan often feature the sword in episodes involving Yamato Takeru or the regalia
• Fantasy works: Japanese fantasy literature frequently incorporates the three treasures as powerful artifacts
• Children's books: Retellings of the Yamata-no-Orochi story introduce young readers to the sword's mythology

Film and Television

Japanese cinema and television have depicted the sword in various contexts:

• Jidaigeki (period dramas): Historical dramas sometimes reference the regalia in episodes about imperial succession
• Tokusatsu: Super Sentai and similar series occasionally feature Kusanagi-inspired weapons
• Anime films: Various feature films incorporate the mythology

Contemporary Religious Significance

Kusanagi remains a living symbol in modern Japan:

• Atsuta Shrine receives millions of visitors annually, many seeking connection to the sword's spiritual power
• Imperial enthronement ceremonies involve the symbolic transfer of the regalia, including the sword (or its replica)
• New Year's rituals and other imperial ceremonies reference the three treasures
• The sword remains a powerful symbol of Japanese cultural identity and continuity

The Other Imperial Regalia

• Yata no Kagami (Eight Span Mirror): The sacred mirror representing Amaterasu herself and the virtue of wisdom. Kept at Ise Grand Shrine, the holiest Shinto location.
• Yasakani no Magatama (Grand Jewel): The curved jewel representing benevolence. Kept at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

Other Japanese Legendary Swords

• Ama-no-Habakiri: Susanoo's original sword, used to slay Yamata-no-Orochi before discovering Kusanagi within
• Totsuka-no-Tsurugi: Various swords referred to as "ten-hand-long sword" in Japanese mythology
• Kogarasu Maru: A historical sword with legendary associations
• Masamune and Muramasa blades: Historical smiths whose swords acquired legendary reputations

Cross-Cultural Parallels

• Excalibur (Arthurian): Similarly represents legitimate rule and divine mandate, though through different mechanisms
• Gram (Norse): Dragon-slaying sword that emerges from a legendary creature, paralleling Kusanagi's origin in Orochi
• Sword of Goujian (Chinese): Historical sword preserved for millennia, demonstrating similar reverence for ancient blades
• Zulfiqar (Islamic): Religious and political symbol of legitimate authority, similar to Kusanagi's imperial function

Historical Japanese Sword Types

• Tsurugi: The ancient double-edged sword type Kusanagi represents
• Tachi: The curved sword that succeeded the tsurugi
• Katana: The iconic curved sword that became Japan's most famous blade style
• Nihonto: General term for Japanese swords, which have their own extensive mythology and spiritual significance