Japanese swords embody a timeless fusion of art, history, and myth. From ancient blades, spears, and naginata to legendary and mythological masterpieces, this comprehensive list presents 56 meticulously curated names of Japanese swords. Whether these swords are renowned historical artifacts, storied weapons of legend, or mystical items that echo through myth, each name carries a unique narrative and exquisite beauty. Perfect for creative naming inspiration and in-depth research, this guide not only celebrates the rich legacy of Japanese swordsmanship but also serves as an essential resource for enthusiasts and creators alike. Explore the fascinating world of Japanese blades and discover the heritage behind every name.
56 Authentic Japanese Swords
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Sennin giri
千人切【せんにんぎり】
An unsigned sword passed down in the Yamada Asayemon family. It was frequently used for executions; it is said that Yoshida Shōin was executed with this sword. -
Kinsō Ōtachi
金装大刀【きんそうたち】
[Great Sword]
A National Treasure and unsigned sword. It was designated as a National Treasure along with other items excavated from the Yamashina Nishinoyama Kofun, and is currently housed in the Kyoto University Museum. -
Sōhaya
騒速【そはや】
[Great Sword]
An Important Cultural Property. It is housed at Shimizu-dera (in Katō City) and preserved at the Tokyo National Museum. Sōhaya—together with two other swords known collectively as “Great Sword, Three Mouths, with Ten Fittings”—was designated as an Important Cultural Property. -
Kokushitsu Ken
黒漆剣【こくしつけん】
[Great Sword]
An Important Cultural Property; a straight sword that is unsigned. It is housed at Kurama-dera. -
Haja no Ontachi
破邪の御太刀【はじゃのおんたち】
[Great Tachi]
A designated tangible cultural property of Shimotama City in Yamaguchi Prefecture. With a total length of 465 centimeters, it is reputed to be the largest Japanese sword in Japan. -
Nenekirimaru
祢々切丸【ねねきりまる】
[Great Tachi]
The sacred sword of Nikko Futarasan Shrine. According to legend, it vanquished a youkai named “Nene.” It is housed at Nikko Futarasan Shrine in Nikko City. -
Hotarumaru
蛍丸【ほたるまる】
[Great Tachi]
A great tachi crafted by Raikoku Toshi-saku. During the Nanboku-chō period, when Aso no Itsumu used this sword, it is said that fireflies gathered along its blade, preventing any chipping. -
Bizen Saburō Kunimune
備前三郎国宗【びぜんさぶろうくにむね】
[Tachi]
A sword once passed down in the Uwajima domain. Later, the Japanese government purchased it and, in commemoration of the Japan–Germany Anti-Communist Pact, presented it to Adolf Hitler. It was returned to Japan before the end of the war. -
Daihannya Nagamitsu
大般若長光【だいはんにゃながみつ】
[Tachi]
A National Treasure bearing the inscription “Nagamitsu.” It was presented by Tokugawa Ieyasu to Okudaira Nobumasa for his achievements at the Battle of Nagashino. -
Tenkōmaru
天光丸【てんこうまる】
[Tachi]
An important work of art inscribed with the name “Yasukazu.” It is reputed to have been the sword worn by Minamoto no Yoshiie. -
Tarōbō Kanemitsu
太郎坊兼光【たろうぼうかねみつ】
[Tachi]
A work by Bizen Nagafune Kanemitsu. This sword belonged to the Niwa clan and has a blade length of 2 shaku 3 sun. -
Himekuru Ichimonji
姫鶴一文字【ひめつるいちもんじ】
[Tachi]
An Important Cultural Property bearing the inscription “Ichi.” It was one of Uesugi Kenshin’s favorite swords and was crafted by the Bizen Fukuoka Ichimonji school. -
Kogarasumaru
小烏丸【こがらすまる】
[Tachi]
A treasured sword that is unsigned. -
Kogitsunemaru
小狐丸【こぎつねまる】
[Tachi]
A legendary sword celebrated in Noh theater through the song “Kogataji” (“Little Blacksmith”). (Note that several swords by this name are known to exist.) -
Shishiō
獅子王【ししおう】
[Tachi]
An Important Cultural Property that is unsigned. It is housed at the Tokyo National Museum. -
Ishikirimaru
石切丸【いしきりまる】
[Tachi]
An important work of art, inscribed with the name “Yūsei” (possibly by the same craftsman as Sosoku). It is housed at the Ishikiriken Shrine. -
Dōjigiriyasutsuna
童子切安綱【どうじぎりやすつな】
[Tachi]
A National Treasure bearing the inscription “Yasutuna.” It is housed at the Tokyo National Museum and is one of the “Five Swords of Heaven.” -
Hizamaru
膝丸【ひざまる】
[Tachi]
A family heirloom of the Minamoto clan, later known as “Kumo-giri” or “Usuguri.” An Important Cultural Property, it is housed at Daikaku-ji. -
Mukakiri
蜈蚣切【むかできり】
[Tachi]
A sword with the legendary epithet “Divine Breath” that is unsigned. It is housed at Ise Jingu. -
Higekiri
髭切【ひげきり】
[Tachi]
A family heirloom of the Minamoto clan, later known as “Onikiri.” Although it bears the inscription “Kunitō” (attributed to the old Bizen school), this is understood to be a later alteration and is now regarded as “Densetsu Yasutuna.” It is an Important Cultural Property housed at Kitano Tenmangu in Kyoto. (Also known as “Onikirimaru” or “Higekiri (Densetsu Yasutuna)” based on the imprint from Kitano Tenmangu.) -
Onimaru Kunitsuna
鬼丸国綱【おにまるくにつな】
[Tachi]
A treasured sword inscribed with “Kunitsuna.” It is one of the “Five Swords of Heaven.” -
Onikiri Maru (Kitano Tenmangu)
鬼切丸 (北野天満宮)【おにきりまる】
[Tachi]
An Important Cultural Property known as “Densetsu Yasutuna.” It is housed at Kitano Tenmangu. The blade measures 2 shaku 7 sun 8 bu in length, with a curvature of 1 shaku 2 sun 2 bu. -
Onikiri Yasutsuna
鬼切安綱【おにきりやすつな】
[Tachi]
(See entry 22, Onikiri Maru at Kitano Tenmangu.) -
Futsumitama no Tsurugi
布都御魂剣【ふつみたまのつるぎ】
A National Treasure also known as the “Onorei Sword.” This massive straight sword was passed down to Kashima Jingu. According to legend, it was forged to replace the original enshrined at Isonokami Shrine when that sword failed to return to Kashima. -
Sasa no Tsuyu
さゝのつゆ【ささのつゆ】
[Uchigatana]
The sword reportedly worn by Ishida Mitsunari at the time of his capture during the Battle of Sekigahara. Although it was traditionally attributed to a craftsman from Kyoto Shinkoku, scholars of the Hon’ami school have authenticated it as the work of Bigo Kai Sanemoto of Bingo. -
Kuji Kanesada
九字兼定【くじかねさだ】
[Uchigatana]
Inscribed with the maker’s name “Izumi no Kami Fujiwara Kanesada,” with a reverse inscription reading “Rin Heitōsha Kaijinretsuzai Zenmae.” This sword is privately owned. -
Samidaregō
五月雨江【さみだれごう】
[Uchigatana]
An Important Cultural Property that is unsigned and attributed to Gō Yoshihiro. It was the favorite sword of Kuroda Nagamasa and later passed down to the Owari Tokugawa family. Its name originates from an incident in which Hon’ami Kōetsu applied too much oil during maintenance, causing the blade always to appear shrouded in mist. -
Suijinkiri Kanemitsu
水神切兼光【すいじんきりかねみつ】
[Uchigatana]
An important work of art, inscribed with the name “Bishu Nagafune Sumitakamitsu.” Dated November of the third year of the Kan era in the early Nanboku-chō period, this flat-bladed uchigatana is rare. Its name comes from being the favorite sword of Naoe Kanetsugu, who is said to have used it to quell floodwaters. -
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Ishidōrōgiri Kotetsu
石灯篭切虎徹【いしどうろうぎりこてつ】
[Uchigatana]
Crafted by Nagasone Kyōri and inscribed “Nagasone Kyōri Nyūdō Kotetsu,” this sword is known as Ishidōrōgiri. Legend has it that when its commissioning retainer attempted to demonstrate its cutting power by slicing a pine branch, the force was so great that it even cut into a nearby stone lantern.
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