Other Famous SwordsTachiImportant Cultural Property (Kitano Tenmangū collection)

髭切

Higekiri

Also known as: Onikiri / Tomokiri

Smith

Unknown (legendary blade)

Era

Heian period (legendary)

Type

Tachi

Designation

Important Cultural Property (Kitano Tenmangū collection)

Location

Kitano Tenmangū Shrine (Kyoto)

Description

The 'elder brother' of the paired Genji clan treasure swords, complementing Hizamaru. Named 'Higekiri' (Beard Cutter) after it sliced through a criminal's beard in a cutting test. It is also known as 'Onikiri' (Demon Cutter) from the tale of Watanabe no Tsuna severing a demon's arm at the Ichijō Modoribashi bridge. Minamoto no Yoritomo is said to have revered it as a symbol of the Genji clan's revival, and it served as a guardian blade passed down through the Minamoto clan leaders. Now housed at Kitano Tenmangū Shrine in Kyoto, joint exhibitions of Higekiri and Hizamaru have become landmark events for sword enthusiasts.

Legends & Stories

Higekiri's most famous legend involves the demon-slaying feat of Watanabe no Tsuna. One night, as Tsuna, a retainer of Minamoto no Raikō, was crossing the Ichijō Modoribashi bridge, a beautiful woman asked him for an escort. When he placed her on his horse, she transformed into a fearsome demon and tried to carry him away through the sky. Undaunted, Tsuna drew this tachi and severed the demon's arm. The arm was said to belong to the demon chief Ibaraki-dōji. From then on, the blade was also called 'Onikiri' (Demon Cutter). As the sword of the Genji clan leader, it symbolizes courage that fears not even demons. Together with Hizamaru, it forms the most famous brother-sword pair in Japanese history. In Touken Ranbu, Higekiri is depicted as the carefree elder brother, and his banter with his younger sibling Hizamaru has become hugely popular.