Naruto isn’t exactly the first anime or manga series we think of when we think of swords, but the ninja-themed show actually has a ton of amazing swords that can perform legendary feats. Naruto’s swords draw inspiration from Japanese folklore and history to give us some of the most powerful weapons in anime.
These swords show up in the hands of Naruto’s protagonists, but they can also be in your hands.
What Are Sword Replicas?
Sword replicas are just that — copies of real swords that are meant to look real without functioning like an actual sword. While that might take away some cool points for you, replica swords are still cool because they let you experience a sword’s history and story in person without making you liable for legal restrictions on weapon ownership in your country.
Besides, many replica swords are made of materials similar to that used in real swords, giving them an extra touch of realism. There are a number of reasons why you might want a replica sword and these are a few of them:
History
History buffs will love replica swords because they let you own a piece of history. There are handmade and mass produced sword replicas on the market that are exact copies of niche historical swords that you might be interested in or feel a connection to, especially if you’re a descendant of the culture a sword originates from.
Most historical sword replicas are made of carbon steel or stainless steel though some sword makers may offer wooden replicas for collectors on a budget.
Fiction
Fans of fiction make up the other half of replica swords’ customer base. Even if you slept through your history classes as a teen, you’ll likely enjoy owning a samurai sword that comes from your favorite piece of media. Popular franchises that have sword replicas include Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Demon Slayer, and Bleach.
Art
Replica swords are works of art that prop makers and blacksmiths pour a lot of energy and attention to. Admittedly, a replica sword won’t have as much work hours dedicated to it as a real katana sword, but a good replica maker will take the time to craft you your very own Kusanagi sword. This helps to ensure that the replica swords look just like the ones from the shows and historical periods they’re from.
Cosplay
That, or you take your Dungeons and Dragons sessions seriously. Really, though, if you enjoy wearing costumes to conventions or game sessions, a replica sword is just what you need to bring your cosplay outfits to the next level! An anime sword will look amazing in photos as a prop for acting like your character at a con.
Naruto Swords You Might Want A Replica Of
Konoha’s powerful hokages and shinobi are often shown with kunai or ninja stars, but every now and then you’ll see them wielding a sword. Those scenes are few and far between, making these Naruto swords even more memorable than they would be otherwise.
The Sword of Kusanagi is Sasuke’s personal weapon which he uses multiple times in the show to cut through enemies and stones alike. On the surface, there seems to be nothing special about the Sword of Kusanagi and it’s true — this anime sword has no powers of its own.
But when Sasuke uses it together with his lightning chakra, the sword vibrates at a higher frequency, allowing it to mow down even the toughest targets.
The Sword of Kusanagi isn’t unique to Naruto. It’s actually an ancient legendary sword that first appeared in Japanese folklore. Its original Japanese name, Kusanagi no Tsurugi, translates to Grass-cutting sword. According to myths, the Grass-cutting sword was owned by the god Susano-o and was later given by Amaterasu to a prince.
These days, the sword appears in Japanese media because it easily tells Japanese audiences that a sword is powerful. That’s likely why they kept the sword’s name in Boruto even after Sasuke Uchiha gets a completely different sword.
Unlike the Sword of Kusanagi, Zabuza’s Kubikiribōchō isn’t a traditional Japanese katana. If anything, it looks more like the Zweihander due to its size and a meat cleaver due to its curved, one-sided blade.
In the anime, Kubikiribōchō is shown to be the sword of Zabuza Momochi, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Zabuza is able to fix the sword whenever it breaks in battle thanks to its ability to regrow its blade using iron from the blood of the people it killed. The sword can also be used as a boomerang when thrown in the air.
Samehada looks more like a taxidermied animal than a sword, but that’s part of what makes it so terrifying. Like Kubikiribōchō, Samehada used to belong to one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist until it ended up in Kisame’s hands. Later, Killer Bee from the Cloud Village became the new owner of the sword.
Samehada is unique because it’s a sentient sword. In the anime, we see it talk to characters and act on its own. When it lets its owners use it, Samehada can absorb its opponents’ chakra and slice through a wall of fire.
Both the Sword of Kusanagi and the Sword of Totsuka originate from Japanese mythology. Legends say that the Sword of Totsuka was used by the god Izanagi to kill his son, Kagutsuchi.
Naruto’s version of the Sword of Totsuka isn’t a metal blade but a jar full of sake. The sake forms into an enchanted blade that pulls anyone it stabs back into its jar. Anyone unlucky enough to face the owner of the Sword of Totsuka in battle is likely to end up trapped in its jar forever.
The sword is primarily a spiritual weapon, but it can also be used as a physical one. Its sharpness is similar to that of the Sword of Kusanagi, making it even more powerful than the other Naruto sword.
Shichiseiken is also a sword in the Naruto series with mythical origins. Depicted as the sword of the Sage of Six Paths like the Sword of Kusanagi, it gains more power when it absorbs chakra. However, the weapon is so powerful that most shinobi die trying to use it because their bodies can’t handle how much chakra it takes.
Shichiseiken’s name translates to “Seven Stars” which is a nod to the Seven Star Sword from Journey to the West, a 16th century Chinese novel. In the novel, it belongs to Taishang Laojun, a Taoist god.
This is another sword that once belonged to a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Instead of one sword, this sword is a pair of slender swords that absorb lightning chakra, letting them function like two Swords of Kusanagi. When combined, they can be used as a double ended sword, kind of like Darth Maul’s in the Star Wars franchise.
The Sword of Nunoboko is one of the few swords on this list that don’t really look like a real-life sword. The sword’s blade has a double helix design that makes it look more like an illustration of DNA strands than a sword.
Still, it’s a dangerous weapon owned by Hagoromo Otsutsuki, one of the most powerful beings in the Naruto anime who has near god-like abilities. The Sword of Nunoboko was supposedly used to shape the world which explains its curious design choice.
Nuibari is also a sword of one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Midst. Its name means “sewing needle”, a reference to its thin and needle-like appearance. The sword has a wire running through its pommel, making it look even more like a needle and thread. But Nuibari is anything but a sewing kit.
This brutal sword is shown stitching its enemies’ flesh together in the Naruto anime series. The sword can also stitch people’s chakras, preventing them from using their ninja abilities.
Kabutowari belongs to Jinin Akebino, another Seven Swordsmen of the Midst. Just like Kubikiribōchō, the sword is similar in appearance to a meat cleaver because of its short, thick blade. Kabutowari has a length of leather cord tied to its pommel which connects to a hammer.
Together, the two weapons are designed for a user who doesn’t mind getting a little messy by brute forcing their way through enemies. Aside from its use as a head-smasher, Kabutowari can also make small earthquakes when it’s slammed into the ground.
There are actually two Shibukis in Naruto. One of them is Shibuki, a chunin from the Waterfall Village, and the other is the sword of Jinpachi Munashi. And as expected, Jinpanchi is also a member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Midst.
Both the sword and the character have a water theme because this blade’s name translates to “splash”. That said, Shibuki doesn’t have the ability to control water. Instead, this Naruto sword functions like a gun that its owner can shoot blasts from. After firing a series of blasts, Shibuki needs a moment of rest to “reload” its abilities.
Conclusion
The swords of the Naruto anime series are icons that have a lot going for them in terms of power. Though few of these swords were wielded by heroes, their abilities and the reputation of the people that owned them make them a great addition to any anime lover’s collection.
If you don’t have a replica sword from your favorite anime, picking up a replica of one of these Naruto swords is a great place to start. Besides, you can pay homage to anime history with these badass blades.
20-something freelance writer who likes games and history maybe a little too much. When I'm not writing for the web, I write notes for a new Dungeons and Dragons campaign. Hyperfixations include Genshin Impact, color eyeliner, true crime, and Star Wars.
Juliana has been writing for nearly thirty years and concentrates on Tudor and Medieval history. She has written for Tudor Dynasty, Tudor Writing Circle, Historian Matt Lewis, and others. Juliana currently writes for Pen and Sword Publishers and is the author of several books, including Medicine in the Middle Ages and A History of Insanity and the Asylum.
