The Grass-Cutter Sword.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Orochi fell for a trap set up by Susanoo, 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. It is stated 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.