Masamune and Muramasa
When the twins Masa and Mune in Chrono Trigger form together to create Melchior’s sword it is one of the more rememberable moments of any video game. When Sephiroth slays Aerith it is unquestionably one of the most emotional points of any game as well. What ties these events together other than being in two of the greatest RPG games ever made? It has a lot to do with history, admiration, legend, an impossible rivalry and lots and lots of swords.
Japan’s greatest swordsmith is unquestionably Masamune Okazaki. The master swordsmith created katanas and tantÅs of unsurpassed craft and beauty during the 13th and 14th centuries. He has since grown into a national hero of the Japanese people for his skill. His swords are said to possess ‘the mark of an internally peaceful and calm warrior.
Another swordsmith from 200 years later known as Muramasa Sengo was also a master of his craft. His blades are best known for their sharpness. When a certain nobleman joined the shogunte he forbade his samurai to wear Muramasa’s blades because he had lost many friends and family to them. This, although a testament to the swords abilities, attached a stigma to the blades that they were cursed, evil or blood-thirsty.
There is a legend about these two swordsmiths and the types of swords they were known to create.
A legend tells of a test where Muramasa challenged his master, Masamune, to see who could make a finer sword. They both worked tirelessly and eventually, when both swords were finished, they decided to test the results. The contest was for each to suspend the blades in a small creek with the cutting edge facing the current. Muramasa’s sword, the Juuchi Fuyu (10,000 Winters) cut everything that passed its way; fish, leaves floating down the river, the very air which blew on it. Highly impressed with his pupil’s work, Masamune lowered his sword, the Yawaraka-Te (Tender Hands), into the current and waited patiently. Not a leaf was cut, the fish swam right up to it, and the air hissed as it gently blew by the blade. After a while, Muramasa began to scoff at his master for his apparent lack of skill in the making of his sword. Smiling to himself, Masamune pulled up his sword, dried it, and sheathed it. All the while, Muramasa was heckling him for his sword’s inability to cut anything. A monk, who had been watching the whole ordeal, walked over and bowed low to the two sword masters. He then began to explain what he had seen.
“The first of the swords was by all accounts a fine sword, however it is a blood thirsty, evil blade as it doesn’t discriminate as to who or what it will cut. It may just as well be cutting down butterflies as severing heads. The second was by far the finer of the two, as it doesn’t needlessly cut that which is innocent and undeserving.”
That, my friends, is a good story. Muramasa is also a fun Japanese ska band who’s lead singer is both cute and mullet-headed. I guess what I’m trying to say with this post is buy me a Masamune.
January 30th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Are you sure that Masa & Mune weren’t an homage to Masamune Shirow of Ghost in the Shell fame? He is one of the most influential Manga/Anime artist/writers/directors/creators of all time.
Never mind, while spell checking his name, it turns out Shirow based his pen name on the afore mentioned samurai. So maybe we both win?
January 31st, 2008 at 7:46 am
Looks like we both win on this one Paul. The article about Chrono Trigger characters under Masa and Mune says it all.
It looks like both groups are taking influence from Masamune’s mystique and legend. Maybe Masamune Shirow took the name because he thought his pen, like Masamune’s sword, could become a healing blade. Those Japanese and their crazy symbolism.