In the heart of Japanese legend lies the powerful Kusanagi no Tsurugi, a sword enveloped in myth and shrouded in mystery. As one of the three treasured imperial regalia of Japan, the Kusanagi no Tsurugi symbolizes the legitimacy of the Japanese Imperial line and plays a significant role in Japanese mythology.
Despite being a symbol of courage and valor, this enigmatic weapon has been hidden from the world since the 12th Century, giving rise to rumors that it may have been lost. Its divine nature and adherence to ancient Shinto traditions dictate that it remains concealed, revealed only for the most sacred of ceremonies.
Once called the "Heavenly Sword of Gathering Clouds," the sword later earned the name Kusanagi no Tsurugi, or "Grass-Cutting Sword." Legends surrounding the sword have been passed down through generations, securing its place in Japanese folklore.
As World War II neared its end in 1945, the Japanese imperial family, fearing the sword's capture by Allied forces, concealed it in a secret location. While many have speculated on the sword's whereabouts, no location has ever been confirmed.
Some believe that the ancient Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya has housed the Kusanagi no Tsurugi for centuries. Historical records suggest that the shrine, perhaps due to the sword's presence, became a focal point during the 14th Century power struggles in Japan. As factions from northern and southern Japan battled for supremacy, both proclaimed Emperors sought to possess the legendary sword.
One of the few individuals who ever claimed to see it was the Shinto Priest Matsuoka Masanao, who is believed to have lived in the 17th Century.
His translated account describes the sword as follows: “a stone box was inside a wooden box of length 150 cm, 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.”
Of the relic itself, Masanao said “The sword was about 82 cm long. Its blade resembled a calamus leaf. The middle of the sword had a thickness from the grip about 18 cm with an appearance like a fish spine. The sword was fashioned in a white metallic color, and well maintained.”
For revealing such sensitive information and violating Shinto tradition, Matsuoka Masanao faced banishment from the Empire. History tells us that a handful of other priests who claimed to have glimpsed the sword met their end through mysterious diseases, further contributing to the sword's enigmatic legacy.
But where did the sword come from and where is it now?
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