{Straight Sword / Black Lacquered Plain Pattern Long Sword

Chokutō & Kuro-Urushi Hyōmon Tachi Koshirae: Japan's Largest National Treasure Straight Sword

Deep within the sacred precincts of Kashima Jingū, one of Japan's most ancient and revered Shinto shrines, lies an extraordinary National Treasure: the Chokutō with Kuro-Urushi Hyōmon Tachi Koshirae (直刀 黒漆平文大刀拵). This remarkable straight sword, measuring an astounding 2.71 meters in total length, stands as the largest and oldest surviving straight sword in all of Japan. Known reverently as the Futsu-no-Mitama-no-Tsurugi (韴霊剣), or the "Sword of the August Snapping Spirit," this legendary blade has been enshrined as a divine treasure of Kashima Jingū for over a millennium, linking the physical world to the very foundations of Japanese mythology.

A Sword Born from Myth: The Legend of Futsu-no-Mitama

The Futsu-no-Mitama sword occupies a central place in Japanese mythology as recorded in the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) and the Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan). According to these ancient texts, the deity Takemikazuchi-no-Ōkami — the god of thunder and martial arts enshrined at Kashima Jingū — wielded this divine sword during the mythological event known as Kuni-yuzuri, the "Transfer of the Land," when the heavenly deities negotiated control of the earthly realm from Ōkuninushi, the ruler of Izumo.

The sword's legend continues in the story of Emperor Jimmu's Eastern Expedition. When the first emperor of Japan found himself besieged by hostile forces in the mountains of Kumano, Takemikazuchi sent the Futsu-no-Mitama sword down from the heavens. Its divine power dispelled the poisonous miasma that had rendered Jimmu's army unconscious, enabling the emperor to complete his conquest and establish the nation of Japan. After his enthronement, the sword was kept at the imperial court before eventually being enshrined at Isonokami Jingū in Nara. The sword at Kashima Jingū is believed to have been crafted as a sacred representation of this mythological weapon, befitting the shrine dedicated to the deity who originally wielded it.

Physical Characteristics: An Unprecedented Masterpiece

The Chokutō is a straight sword of truly extraordinary proportions. The blade alone measures 223.3 cm in length with a barely perceptible curvature of just 0.6 cm, a base width of approximately 5.1 cm, and a tip width of 3.1 cm. Including its handle (40.2 cm) and scabbard (228.1 cm), the entire mounting reaches a total length of 270.2 cm — taller than most doorways.

The blade features a kirizukuri (切刃造) construction with a square ridge (kakumune). Its forging displays a mix of fine ko-itame grain that is tightly packed in some areas and looser flowing patterns in others, with an overall presence of ji-nie (fine crystalline particles visible on the surface). The hamon (temper line) begins in a koshiba style and becomes narrower toward the upper portion, with a gentle undulating pattern. Remarkably, research has revealed that the exceptionally long blade was created by joining metal at four separate points — a highly unusual technique that speaks to the extraordinary ambition of its creators.

The Koshirae: Exquisite Heian-Period Lacquer Artistry

The tachi koshirae (sword mounting) is itself a masterwork of Heian-period decorative arts. The fittings are crafted from gilt bronze, with each component — the kabuto-gane (pommel cap), fuchi (collar), mountain-shaped ashi-kanamono (suspension mounts), and ishizuki (scabbard tip) — adorned with delicately engraved auspicious cloud motifs (zuiun-mon). Additional ornamental elements include openwork panels featuring hōsōge (sacred lotus and arabesque) patterns attached to the kabuto-gane, ashi-kanamono, seki-gane, and ishizuki.

The handle and scabbard are finished in lustrous black lacquer decorated with hyōmon (flat inlay), a sophisticated lacquer technique in which thin sheets of gold or silver are embedded into the lacquer surface and polished flush. The motifs depict lions running across open grasslands — a bold, dynamic design that conveys a sense of power and grandeur befitting a divine sword. Although much of the original flat inlay depicting these lion motifs has been lost over the centuries, enough remains to suggest the breathtaking splendor of the sword in its original state. Art historians note that the mounting's design lineage connects to the celebrated tachi mountings preserved in the Shōsōin treasure repository in Nara, pointing to the highest level of court craftsmanship.

Why This Sword Is a National Treasure

The Chokutō with Kuro-Urushi Hyōmon Tachi Koshirae was designated as a National Treasure on June 22, 1955. Several factors contributed to this prestigious designation:

• It is the largest surviving straight sword in Japan, with no comparable example known to exist. Its extraordinary length of over 2.2 meters is unparalleled among Japanese blades.
• The blade dates to the late Nara to early Heian period (approximately 8th–9th century), making it one of the oldest swords of its type still in existence.
• The quality of the steel and forging technique is considered outstanding, with the national cultural properties database noting that the metal is of superior quality and the temper line is well executed.
• The accompanying tachi mounting is recognized as a complete example of early Heian-period lacquer craftsmanship, preserving rare hyōmon decorative techniques that are seldom found intact.
• The sword's deep association with Kashima Jingū and the mythology of Takemikazuchi adds immeasurable historical and cultural significance.

The sword is accompanied by an attached designation: a tō-karabitsu (sword storage chest), which is itself a valuable artifact of historical importance.

Kashima Jingū: Home of the God of Martial Arts

Kashima Jingū, the shrine that has preserved this National Treasure for centuries, is one of the most historically significant Shinto shrines in Japan. According to tradition, it was founded in 660 BCE — the legendary first year of Emperor Jimmu's reign — making it one of the oldest shrines in eastern Japan. Before the modern era, only three shrines in Japan bore the prestigious title of "Jingū" (Grand Shrine): Ise Jingū, Katori Jingū, and Kashima Jingū.

The shrine is dedicated to Takemikazuchi-no-Ōkami, revered as the supreme deity of martial arts and warfare. Throughout Japanese history, powerful warriors and shoguns — from the Fujiwara regents to Minamoto no Yoritomo and the Tokugawa shoguns — have paid homage here. The shrine's main hall (honden), prayer hall (haiden), and tower gate (rōmon) are all designated Important Cultural Properties, with the vermilion rōmon considered one of Japan's three great tower gates. The shrine grounds span an area equivalent to 15 Tokyo Domes, encompassing ancient cedar forests designated as a Natural Monument with over 600 plant species.

Where to See the Sword

The Futsu-no-Mitama sword was historically displayed in the Kashima Jingū Treasure Hall (Hōmotsukan) within the shrine grounds. However, since 2018, the Treasure Hall has been closed for an extended period as part of the shrine's Phase 2 Grounds Improvement Project. The reopening date has not yet been announced.

During the closure, the sword has been entrusted to the Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of History (茨城県立歴史館) in Mito City, where it is occasionally displayed during special exhibitions. Notable recent exhibitions include the "Kashima and Katori" special exhibition at the Ibaraki Prefectural Museum of History, which featured the sword after its restoration. Visitors interested in seeing this National Treasure should check the museum's exhibition schedule for upcoming opportunities.

Even when the sword itself is not on display, a visit to Kashima Jingū is richly rewarding. The shrine's sacred forest, historic buildings, the mystical Kaname-ishi (Keystone) said to suppress earthquakes, the crystal-clear Mitarashi-ike pond, and the resident deer park all offer a deeply atmospheric experience.

Nearby Attractions and the Eastern Three Shrines Pilgrimage

Kashima Jingū is one of the three shrines forming the Tōgoku Sansha (Eastern Three Shrines) pilgrimage, along with Katori Jingū in Chiba Prefecture and Ikisu Shrine in Kamisu, Ibaraki Prefecture. This pilgrimage, sometimes called the "Kantō Ise Pilgrimage," has been a beloved spiritual journey for centuries. Each shrine is about 30 minutes apart by car, making it feasible to visit all three in a single day.

Other nearby attractions worth exploring include the Nishi-no-Ichinotorii, Japan's largest water torii gate standing 18.5 meters tall on the shores of Lake Kitaura; Kashima Castle Park (Kashima Jōzan Kōen), a beautiful cherry blossom viewing spot with panoramic views; the charming riverside town of Sawara near Katori Jingū, known as the "Little Edo of Hokusō"; and Kashima Soccer Stadium, home of the renowned Kashima Antlers J-League team, whose name derives from the sacred deer of Kashima Jingū.

The Grand Ofune Festival of 2026

In 2026, the Year of the Horse, Kashima Jingū will celebrate one of its most spectacular events: the Grand Imperial Ofune Festival (御船祭), held only once every twelve years. This magnificent water festival involves a procession of boats carrying the portable shrine of Takemikazuchi from Kashima across Lake Kitaura to meet the deity of Katori Jingū. If you are planning a visit, 2026 offers an exceptionally rare opportunity to witness this grand tradition firsthand.