Was the long lost Atakiri Muramasa sword found in a rummage sale?
Blade by Legendary Smith Back in Japan
A wakizashi found at a rummage sale in a small Canadian town has returned to Japan, and now resides in the Kuwana Museum in Mie Prefecture after the buyer contacted the Japanese consulate. After appraisal, he was shocked to find that one of the most famous Japanese blade smiths, Muramasa, had forged it. The inscription on the tang of this wakizashi closely matches one in the records regarding the listing of Muramasa blades. The sword was x-rayed and they discovered the makers' mark had been filled in. Once removed, it revealed Muramasa's signature. So, the consulate contacted the Kuwana Museum which houses the largest collection of Muramasa blades. Then the museum reached out to the buyer and offered him a trip to see the legendary sword safely back to its country of origin.Is the blade the famous Atakiri Muramasa?
Rumor said it was the favorite short sword carried by Kirino Toshiaki, one of the Four Hitokiri. Kirino was also a commander of the pro-Emperor forces at the Battle of Toba Fushimi. Muramasa blades were popular weapons among the anti-Shogunate troops, because the Shogun had reportedly banned them after an assassin killed his grandfather with one, his son used one at a ritual suicide, and the Shogun had been cut by one. Legend says that Muramasa blades would cause the wielder to go into such a violent berserker rage, that blood must be shed before it could be re-sheathed. When there's a ban on a weapon, people hoard and hide them. Many owners of the blades supposedly had the maker's mark hidden or filed off, because the blades were known to be excellent weapons. So, Kirino sought one. Before he obtained the wakizashi, he was a master swordsman. But he felt truly was unstoppable after obtaining Atakiri Muramasa, and carried it into every battle. The blade disappeared from Kirino's tent, just before his death at the battle at Shiroyama. No one knew of its whereabouts after that. Some blamed Kirino's death on the loss of the weapon.Now that the sword has returned to Japan, will more evidence surface?
An anonymous source says they know without a doubt this wakizashi is the legendary Atakiri Muramasa, but they are waiting until the right time to reveal their proof.Work in Progress
This article will be expanded in the future.
Stub
This article will be expanded in the future.
Definition
This article stub serves as a simple definition.
TEAM SECRETS AVAILABLE
Will you join:When you choose the team with the secret(s) - the secrets(s) will appear. Secrets may not be available for every team on an article.
When you choose the team with the secret - it will appear. [/container]
Woah, neat! Vernon is just a couple hours away from my hometown, and I have friends living in the nearby city of Kelowna. Small world! I'm a sucker for swords, and this was a really interesting read. I love the mixing of reality and fiction, it's really well done!
Aww, thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!