Kusanagi no Tsurugi

Grass Cutting Sword

Legendary Sword of Japan

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The Kusanagi: Unseen Legendary Japanese Sword

Source: https://www.ancient-origins.net/artifacts-other-artifacts/kusanagi-unseen-legendary-japanese-sword-005964 

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The Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi (translated as Grass-cutting Sword or Herb-quelling Sword) is a legendary Japanese sword. This weapon, commonly referred to simply as The Kusanagi, is one of the three Imperial Regalia of Japan, and is said to represent the virtue of valor. The two other objects of the regalia, as a matter of interest, are the Yata-no-Kagami (a mirror said to represent wisdom) and the Yasakani-no-Magatama (a jewel said to represent benevolence).

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Due to its royal connection, the Kusanagi has sometimes been compared to Excalibur. Unlike its Arthurian counterpart, however, the location where the Kusanagi is alleged kept is well-known. Still, it seems that no one alive today has actually seen the sword, thus raising questions about its existence.

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Yamata-no-Orochi, the Eight-Headed Serpent

The Kusanagi was originally known as the Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi (meaning ‘Sword of the Gathering Clouds of Heaven’), and its origin is linked to a legendary eight-headed serpent. This serpent was known as Yamata-no-Orochi, who was terrorizing a wealthy family in the province of Izumo. Over the years, the serpent had eaten seven of the family’s eight daughters. As a result, the head of the family decided to ask for help from Susanoo, the Shinto god of sea and storms. The god attacked the Orochi immediately, though he failed to defeat it, and had to retreat.

Read More Yamata no Orochi The Eight Headed Dragon Serpent Yamato Clan click

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Susanoo then came up with a plan to defeat the serpent. In one version of the legend, the Susanoo was offered the last daughter as a bride if he succeeded in slaying the creature. In another, it was the god who asked for the girl’s hand in marriage, a request which her father assented. In any event, Susanoo’s plan was to get the each of Orochi’s eight heads drunk, after which he would attack it. Thus, the god prepared eight giant bowls of sake (a Japanese rice wine), and put them in a place where the monster was likely to pass by.

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Orochi fell for the trap, and whilst it was intoxicated and asleep, Susanoo seized the opportunity to strike. The god decapitated each of the serpent’s heads, and then sliced off its tail. Within the monster’s tail, the god found a sword, the Kusanagi. Susanoo did not keep the sword for long. Although a god, Susanoo is said to have been exiled a long time ago. Japanese mythology also states that there was a rivalry between Susanoo and his sister, the goddess Amaterasu. Therefore, Susanoo decided to present the Kusanagi to her, so as to be on good terms with her and to end his exile.

Read More Amaterasu Great Divinity Illuminating Heaven Goddess of The Sun click

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The Story of Yamato Takeru

The Kusanagi is believed to have been given by the goddess to Yamato Takeru, the son of the Emperor Keiko. It was during this time that the Kusanagi gained its present name. According to one story, the prince was on a hunting trip when a rival set fire to the dry grass around him. Using the sword given to him by Amaterasu, Yamato Takeru cut the burning grass down, and sent the flames in the direction of his rival. Hence, the name Kusanagi was given to the sword.

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There are a number of stories surrounding the Kusanagi following its possession by Yamato Takeru. In the 14th century The Tale of the Heike, for example, the Kusanagi is said to have been lost after a naval battle. This tale is questionable, though, as this epic is said to be a collection of oral stories written about 200 years after the actual events took place. Replicas have been made, stolen and lost when rival members of the royal family made their bids to claim the throne of Japan.

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Unseen Kusanagi

Today, the Kusanagi is believed to be housed in the Atsuta Shrine, a Shinto shrine in Nagoya. Yet, its presence there cannot be ascertained, as it seems that no one alive today has seen the sword. Even the current Emperor of Japan himself is believed to have not seen the Kusanagi. This sword is used in the coronation ceremony of the Japanese Emperor, and the last time that this took place was in 1989. The Emperor Akihito received the sword, though it was kept under wraps.

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There is perhaps good reason for the Kusanagi to be kept away from human sight. During the Edo period, a priest is said to have seen the sword, and wrote a description of it. His death is alleged to have been caused by a curse associated with the sword. In addition, the sword is said to have been originally kept in the Imperial Palace. During the 7th century AD, the sword was blamed for an emperor’s ill-health, and subsequent death. Hence, the Kusanagi was sent to the Atsuta Shrine to be safeguarded.

Read More Yamata no Orochi The Eight Headed Dragon Serpent Yamato Clan click

Read More Amaterasu Great Divinity Illuminating Heaven Goddess of The Sun click

Read More Bushido Samurai The Way of The Warrior click

The Holitter - Kusanagi no Tsurugi

My lyrics interpreted by AI

Lyrics

"Kusanagi no Tsurugi"

From heaven's forge, a blade divine

Three sacred treasures intertwine

Kusanagi's edge gleams bright

Bearer of courage in the night

Through storms of time, through ancient mist

A serpent's gift, by gods' hand kissed

Eight-headed beast surrendered might

To forge a blade of holy light

In Yamato's hallowed ground

Where sacred echoes still resound

Kusanagi! Sacred steel!

Through your edge, our fate revealed

Blade of courage, heaven's fire

Raise the warrior's spirit higher

(Kusanagi!)

Three treasures bound by destiny

Mirror, jewel, and sword set free

But none command such burning pride

As this blade at warrior's side

Dancing light on tempered steel

The power only heroes feel

Face the darkness, hold the light

Sacred blade guide us through night

Ancient power courses deep

Through the vows we swore to keep

Kusanagi! Sacred steel!

Through your edge, our fate revealed

Blade of courage, heaven's fire

Raise the warrior's spirit higher

(Kusanagi!)

When warriors falter, when heroes fade

Stand tall with virtue's blade

Through darkness deep and storms untamed

The Kusanagi calls your name

(Kusanagi!)

Face the darkness, hold the light

Sacred blade guide us through night

Ancient power courses deep

Through the vows we swore to keep

Kusanagi! Sacred steel!

Through your edge, our fate revealed

Blade of courage, heaven's fire

Raise the warrior's spirit higher

(Kusanagi!)

When warriors falter, when heroes fade

Stand tall with virtue's blade

Through darkness deep and storms untamed

The Kusanagi calls your name

In celestial halls it waits

Guardian of divine gates

Courage flows through sacred steel

As legends rise and empires kneel

Kusanagi! Heaven's blade!

By immortal spirits made

Grant us courage, show the way

Through the storm to break of day

(Kusanagi!)

Pictures Videos Music and Additional Reading

Kusanagi no Tsurugi Grass Cutting Sword Legendary Sword of Japan

Mysterious Priestess "Kusanagi No Tsurugi" - Guitar Playthrough 「草薙ノ剣」

Kusanagi no Tsurugi

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kusanagi_no_Tsurugi 

Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi (草薙の剣) is a legendary Japanese sword and one of three Imperial Regalia of Japan. It was originally called Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi (天叢雲剣, "Heavenly Sword of Gathering Clouds"), but its name was later changed to the more popular Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi ("Grass-Cutting Sword"). In folklore, the sword represents the virtue of valor.

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Kusanagi, (Japanese: “Grass-Mower”), in Japanese mythology, the miraculous sword that the sun goddess Amaterasu gave to her grandson Ninigi when he descended to earth to become ruler of Japan, thus establishing the divine link between the imperial house and the sun. The sword, along with the mirror and jeweled necklace, still forms one of the three Imperial Treasures of Japan.

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The sword was discovered by the storm god Susanoo in the body of the eight-headed dragon (which he killed) and presented by him to his sister Amaterasu. It derives its name from an incident when the hero Yamato Takeru was attacked by Ainu warriors. They started a grass fire around him, from which he escaped by cutting down the burning brush with the sword.

Read More Yamata no Orochi The Eight Headed Dragon Serpent Yamato Clan click

Read More Amaterasu Great Divinity Illuminating Heaven Goddess of The Sun click

Read More Bushido Samurai The Way of The Warrior click

Kusanagi no Tsurugi Grass Cutting Sword Legendary Sword of Japan

Prince Yamato Takeru and his sword Kusanagi no Tsurugi

Persefone - Kusanagi

Lyrics

Old as time

The strongest power of mankind

It was searched for

By all men with courage to face it

Living in all of us

Awaits the moment to show its eyes

The power to be the one

Let the rain clean my sweat

Let the wind clear my mind

The pride I must leave behind

To find strength in my path”

What you need it lives in you

Strong decisions you must live for!

“Old men in ancient times

Searched for it on the courage path”

All your fears disappear

When conviction rises all around

“Fear is my wall to get the power

Righteousness will draw out from my soul!”

As did the Sword of Gods

The one that stands is the one who believes

You hold your power as your fears

Stand away from your way

You hold your inner strength

Living every moment as the last

“In silence I remain standing

Searching for the right ideas

To be strong on weakness

To be wise on ignorance

I feel lost, as my sight has become grey

I behold, what I used to see as clear as a blue sky

A shadow in my will that hides my fears

I shall get over them, bravery!”

As did the Sword of Gods

The one who stands is the one who believe

You hold your power as your fears

Stand away from your way

You hold your inner strength

Living every moment as the last

Kusanagi no Tsurugi Grass Cutting Sword Legendary Sword of Japan
Kusanagi no Tsurugi Grass Cutting Sword Legendary Sword of Japan