grass-cutting sword

Japanese samurai in traditional attire wearing swords at a cultural festival, including Kusanagi no Tsurugi symbolism

Kusanagi No Tsurugi: The Sacred Sword of Japan

Orin Vale

Kusanagi no Tsurugi, the sacred sword of Japanese tradition, is one of the Three Imperial Regalia and a powerful symbol of imperial legitimacy, divine favor, and the continuity of the throne. Rooted in myths of Susanoo, Yamato Takeru, and Amaterasu, its story blends ritual, politics, and legend, inviting closer examination of how a hidden object can shape national identity.