Muramasa is not just the name of a single sword, but a famous Japanese swordsmith school that flourished in the Ise Province (currently around the Mie Prefecture) during the Sengoku period. The Muramasa family produced a wide range of arms such as spears, short swords, long swords, and others. Each blade was highly prized and called treasured swords, "because of their exceptional sharpness and craftsmanship." All over Samurai warriors’ heads, Muramasa brand was like a household name because every weapon had the engraving, "Muramasa."
A Tokugawa family’s tragic narratives led Muramasa blades to become infamous and get the reputation of "cursed swords”.
The "Moriyama Kuzure" Incident (1535)
One of the Matsudaira clan, who later on ascended into Tokugawa family, did rise to power during the early Sengoku period. The clan’s seventh head, Matsudaira Kiyoyasu, wielded a sword named “Senju Muramasa” and got assassinated by his retainer, Abe Masatoyo, on a misunderstanding because it was too much for the clan’s influence to handle.
The Death of Matsudaira Hirotada (1549)
After Kiyoyasu's passing, his son Matsudaira Hirotada took over as the clan leader. However, Hirotada was characterized by his paranoia and distrust towards his retainers. Ultimately, one of his samurai, Iwamatsu Hachiya, assassinated him—reportedly with a Muramasa blade.
The Execution of Tokugawa Nobuyasu (1579)
Tokugawa Ieyasu's eldest son, Nobuyasu, faced accusations of conspiring with the Takeda clan. Following orders from Oda Nobunaga, Nobuyasu was compelled to commit seppuku. His executioner, Amano Tōtada, used a "Seishu Muramasa" blade to behead him, further solidifying the sword's connection to the misfortunes of the Tokugawa family.
Tokugawa Ieyasu’s Personal Encounters with Muramasa
Tokugawa Ieyasu himself experienced several unfortunate incidents involving Muramasa blades. As a child in Suruga, he accidentally injured his finger with a Muramasa sword. Later, during the Battle of Sekigahara, he sustained a wound from a spear that bore a Muramasa engraving. These recurring "coincidences" led Ieyasu to conclude that Muramasa swords were cursed weapons targeting his lineage.
Once he established the Edo Shogunate, Ieyasu enacted a ban on Muramasa swords. Many of these blades were either destroyed or had their inscriptions removed to avoid persecution.
Despite their fearsome reputation, Muramasa blades were actually high-quality swords that were widely utilized by warriors of their time. Known for their sharpness and exceptional craftsmanship, these swords were mass-produced, making them a common sight on the battlefield. The frequent use of these blades led to many deaths, which in turn fueled the legend of them being "cursed."
The fear surrounding Muramasa blades also stemmed from cultural superstitions. In various Japanese folktales and kabuki plays, cursed swords often represent uncontrollable bloodshed. Given Muramasa’s unmatched sharpness, it became an ideal candidate for such myths.
Even though Tokugawa Ieyasu tried to erase Muramasa from history, the swords never truly vanished. Some swordsmiths modified the engravings or rebranded their creations to escape persecution. Today, Muramasa swords are highly sought after by collectors, who admire their remarkable craftsmanship.
The legend of the "cursed Muramasa" continues to thrive in modern pop culture. Numerous anime, games, and novels feature Muramasa as a powerful yet foreboding weapon. For instance, the character Senju Muramasa appears in Touken Ranbu, and cursed swords inspired by Muramasa can be found in Demon Slayer and other works. This ensures that the "Muramasa legend" remains a source of fascination for audiences.
The tale of Muramasa swords is deeply intertwined with the tumultuous history of the Sengoku period and the tragedies faced by the Tokugawa family. Although these swords earned a reputation as cursed artifacts, they are, in truth, exceptional examples of Japanese craftsmanship. More than just historical relics, Muramasa blades have evolved into symbols of both dread and reverence, captivating the imaginations of sword lovers and storytellers throughout the ages.
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