About the Blade
Swordsmith
Sanjou (三条)
Forge Date
989 CE
Inscription
?
Current Sword Length
19.695cm
Current Blade Hamon (Historical)
?
Sheath
Current Location
Possibly rediscovered in Aomori, authenticity unclear (source)
Public Viewing
No
Blade Appearance
-
History
- Imanotsurugi is the work of the legendary swordsmith, Sanjou Munechika.
- He belonged to Minamoto no Yoshitsune (also known as Ushiwakamaru in childhood).
- It is thought that Yoshitsune used him to commit suicide.
- Imanotsurugi was not created as Yoshitsune's sword, but was offered to him by Munechika, who was passing by Kurama Mountain. Yoshitsune, at the time, had lived a sheltered life in the temple. Following that, Yoshitsune is said to have kept Imanotsurugi under his armour at most battles.
- His name, Imanotsurugi, is thought to be given to him by an unnamed priest.
Miscellaneous
- He dresses like a Tengu as homage to Sojobo of Mt. Kurama, the Great Tengu who imparted his sword skill to the young Yoshitsune.
- One theory believes that Imanotsurugi, as well as Iwatooshi, are fictional blades created for narrative purposes in historical literature. This is likely the basis of Imanotsurugi's Kiwame narrative.
- Another theory states that he was an ootachi roughly 195cm long at the time of his creation, and later was shortened to his current roughly 20cm length to serve as a sword of protection for Yoshitsune. It is likely his in-game voice line, "I used to be taller in the past..." is referring to this fact.