Hi all, I'm new!
Ok I'm currently a trainee game designer and 3D modeler and I am in need of help.
First thing is that I'm creating a shitoism inspired project for an assessment of mine and I am currently modeling the Kusanagi no Tsurugi.
A problem I face is that the jpeg image on the website is pretty small and was wondering if there are any other higher resolution versions available.
You see I need the image so I can use it as a texture for my model.
If not then no worry, I might be able to get by with that image.
The second enquiry is of the shape of the butt of the handle of the Kusanagi no Tsurugi. Since the Jpeg only displays it from one view I have no idea of the shapeof that handle (the end of it remember).
So can anyone help me out here?
Thanks in advance to all who reply.
Kusanagi no Tsurugi enquiry
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GameDesignerSage
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Todd Shogun
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Which photo were you referring to? If it's the one on the Grasscutter Website, then that is the largest photo we heve of this mysterious sword.
I got lucky and found actual photos of the three imperial regalia somewhere on the web in the mid-90s. This is the only Kusanagi photo that I know of that currently exists. Stan ended up using the photo as the model for the sword in the comics. Otherwise, he would have had to make up a design of his own for it.
I got lucky and found actual photos of the three imperial regalia somewhere on the web in the mid-90s. This is the only Kusanagi photo that I know of that currently exists. Stan ended up using the photo as the model for the sword in the comics. Otherwise, he would have had to make up a design of his own for it.
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GameDesignerSage
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Todd Shogun
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Actually Stan is the artist too 
If your question pertains to the handle only, then Stan might have some answers... he is a really good resource on feudal as well as ancient Japan... Stan might have info on other swords similar to Kusanagi of that era...
Another idea would be to extrapolate what the handle might look like in 3D based on the photo and photos of other swords from that era if you can find them. One thing I always wondered about the Kusanagi sword on the photo was the handle... and if that is actually the handle or a continuation of the blade. The curved piece at the "bottom" end of the blade may actually be the guard (tsuba), and the handle may have been broken off. I am no expert on the construction of these swords so who knows... but the handle looks like it would be uncomfortable to hold with those curved spikes sticking out... they could be grips though.....
If your question pertains to the handle only, then Stan might have some answers... he is a really good resource on feudal as well as ancient Japan... Stan might have info on other swords similar to Kusanagi of that era...Another idea would be to extrapolate what the handle might look like in 3D based on the photo and photos of other swords from that era if you can find them. One thing I always wondered about the Kusanagi sword on the photo was the handle... and if that is actually the handle or a continuation of the blade. The curved piece at the "bottom" end of the blade may actually be the guard (tsuba), and the handle may have been broken off. I am no expert on the construction of these swords so who knows... but the handle looks like it would be uncomfortable to hold with those curved spikes sticking out... they could be grips though.....
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Leonardo-san
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This is a really cool thread!
If that last section is the hilt, which any good sword has a tang that goes into the handle or it doesn't last long at all, then here's some ideas I'll toss into the pot:
It is likely it had some kind of wrapping. That serves to improve the grip, and absore the shock of impact from the blade from travelling directly into the user's hand. Perhaps a wood and leather wrapping, or textile-based (silk?) wrapping like more modern swords? Stuff like that would deteriorate over the centuries while the metal remained (as it didn't totally rust away).
That raised middle section may have been ended up like some of the Lord of the Rings swords for one-and-two-handed weapons, were there is a metal ring halfway on the hilt, or a change of material on the hilt like Narsil/Anduril.
Because this is likely based on Chinese metal and sword work of the time period, it might be instructive to pursue that. I admit I don't know a whole lot about Chinese sword hilts other than what I've seen in all the modern movies or someone's tai chi sword.
If that last section is the hilt, which any good sword has a tang that goes into the handle or it doesn't last long at all, then here's some ideas I'll toss into the pot:
It is likely it had some kind of wrapping. That serves to improve the grip, and absore the shock of impact from the blade from travelling directly into the user's hand. Perhaps a wood and leather wrapping, or textile-based (silk?) wrapping like more modern swords? Stuff like that would deteriorate over the centuries while the metal remained (as it didn't totally rust away).
That raised middle section may have been ended up like some of the Lord of the Rings swords for one-and-two-handed weapons, were there is a metal ring halfway on the hilt, or a change of material on the hilt like Narsil/Anduril.
Because this is likely based on Chinese metal and sword work of the time period, it might be instructive to pursue that. I admit I don't know a whole lot about Chinese sword hilts other than what I've seen in all the modern movies or someone's tai chi sword.
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takematsu
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There's an image at http://www.bunbun.ne.jp/~sword/Kiso10.html and I'm not sure it helps, given the big wierd crosspiece that looks like it's UNDER the handle. 
It lends some creedence to the notion that the tang is actually below the "pommel" shown above.
The shape of the hilt on Kusanagi looks a great deal like Anglo-Saxon and early Viking-era swords, including the uncomfortable bit in the middle. If the hilt is meant for 2-handed use, it makes more sense, but the width of the blade makes more sense for a single-hand-sized hilt. I couldn't find any helpful dimensions on the Atsuta Shrine website. Again, if there's a tang missing, the "handle" section shown may act as a ricasso, allowing a second hand to be placed above the guard on an otherwise single-hand weapon. This was a stupid trick done on European swords (like the Claymore), but mainly by people with really good hand armour. And Scots.
While the Kusanagi shown might be<gasp>a purely decorative item, the Anglo-Saxon items were functional, so I guess it must work. Some kind of wrapping would help.... Of course, if it IS decorative, it might be a way of impressing folks: "Yeah, our god-hero was so tough, he liked that pokey crap under his palm, and notice the complete lack of hand protection."
It lends some creedence to the notion that the tang is actually below the "pommel" shown above.The shape of the hilt on Kusanagi looks a great deal like Anglo-Saxon and early Viking-era swords, including the uncomfortable bit in the middle. If the hilt is meant for 2-handed use, it makes more sense, but the width of the blade makes more sense for a single-hand-sized hilt. I couldn't find any helpful dimensions on the Atsuta Shrine website. Again, if there's a tang missing, the "handle" section shown may act as a ricasso, allowing a second hand to be placed above the guard on an otherwise single-hand weapon. This was a stupid trick done on European swords (like the Claymore), but mainly by people with really good hand armour. And Scots.
While the Kusanagi shown might be<gasp>a purely decorative item, the Anglo-Saxon items were functional, so I guess it must work. Some kind of wrapping would help.... Of course, if it IS decorative, it might be a way of impressing folks: "Yeah, our god-hero was so tough, he liked that pokey crap under his palm, and notice the complete lack of hand protection."
"...[H]uman beings are given free will in order to choose between insanity on the one hand and lunacy on the other..."
Aldous Huxley, 1946
Aldous Huxley, 1946
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Stan Sakai
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This is the only photo reference I had for Kusanagi. My advantange was that most of the story dealt with after the sword was found at sea.
I suspect there was a handle below the crosspiece which had broken off, though I can't be certain. If this is the handle that is shown, it must have had a covering of some sort. Most artists, such as Yoshitoshi in his woodblocks, drew it as a katana blade, which of course is inaccurate.
I suspect there was a handle below the crosspiece which had broken off, though I can't be certain. If this is the handle that is shown, it must have had a covering of some sort. Most artists, such as Yoshitoshi in his woodblocks, drew it as a katana blade, which of course is inaccurate.