The blades would then ‘possess’ their wielders, turning them into insane and deadly warriors, just like Muramasa himself.ĭespite the bad reputation surrounding the blades Murasama forged, they were undeniably of high quality, and were popular in Japan. It was therefore believed that these destructive qualities were passed by the master swordsmith into the blades he forged. Muramasa Sengo was a legendary swordsmith who lived during the Muromachi period in Japan (14th - 16th centuries AD), and was said to have been completely mad and prone to bouts of violence. Regarded as a state treasure in China today, the sword, which was once owned by Emperor Goujian of Yue, is as legendary to the Chinese people as King Arthur's Excalibur in the West. Besides this strange quality, the craftsmanship was highly detailed for a sword made such a long time ago. The blade drew blood when an archaeologist tested his finger on its edge, seemingly unaffected by the passage of time. Despite being well over 2,000 years old, the sword, known as the Goujian, did not have a single trace of rust. Goujian: The Ancient Chinese Sword that Defied Timeįifty year ago, a rare and unusual sword was found in a tomb in China. To the saint’s great amazement, the weapon went through the stone like a hot knife through butter, and has been stuck in the stone ever since. San Galgano replied that this was as easy as splitting stones with a sword, and with that he drew his sword and thrust it into a stone. A voice spoke to him, commanding him to renounce all his worldly desires. The story goes that San Galgano was walking on Montesiepi when he saw another vision of a round temple with Jesus and Mary surrounded by the Twelve Apostles. According to legend, the sword was placed there by San Galgano, a fierce knight and wealthy nobleman, who converted to Christianity following a vision of Archangel Michael. Inside a glass case in a round chapel on top of Montesiepi in Tuscany, Italy, is a 12 th century sword lodged within solid rock. The Legendary Sword in the Stone of San Galgano The delicate nature of the sword branches suggest that it was never intended to be used as a weapon, but rather served a ceremonial function. An inscription on the blade reveals the Seven-Branched Sword was given by the king / crown prince of Baekje (an ancient kingdom in the south western part of the Korean Peninsula) to the king of Wa (ruler of Japan). Located in in the foothills of Tenri in Nara prefecture, Japan, this shrine is culturally significant for it houses several national treasures, including a legendary sword known as the Nanatsusaya no Tachi, or ‘Seven-Branched Sword’. The Isonokami Shrine is a Shinto shrine believed to have been built in 4 AD. The Seven-Branched Sword: The Mystical Ceremonial Sword of Japan The sword of Joyeuse was used in countless coronation ceremonies, and is tied with ancient myth and legend ascribing it with magical powers. Historical records link the sword to Charlemagne the Great, King of the Franks, who reigned some 1,200 years ago. The sword of Joyeuse, which today sits in the Louvre Museum, is one of the most famous swords in history.
Joyeuse: The Legendary Sword of Charlemagne Here we feature ten striking swords from the ancient world. Over the years, a number of swords have been unearthed, bringing with them centuries of legends and incredible tales, linking them to famous figures and folk heroes. Swords are not only weapons, but symbols of great power, used over the centuries as offerings, in ceremonies, for coronations, and as precious items for trade.