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This article refers to the sword, Muramasa and its appearances in todays culture

The Muramasa Katana is believed to be a cursed blade from Japanese history. The original swords are very rare to find since most of them were destroyed.

=History=

The Muramasa Katana was first forged by the man Muramasa Sengo. Muramasa Sengo was said to have had a very deranged and violent mind. When he forged these blades many thought his madness was passed to them. These Swords were said to thirst for blood and would cut down anyone, even their wielder to get it. Once unsheathed people believed that it must cut flesh before it is put away again. The Muramasa sword was banned when Tokugawa Ieyasu became shogun. This was mainly due to the bad luck his family household had with the sword. Many of his family had fallen to the sword and he himself was cut severely with one while inspecting it. With all that had happened he believed the swords to possess an evil soul and to be cursed. As shogun he took his ban on these swords to the extreme. If anyone was found to be in ownership of the sword they were immediately sentenced to death. Many of the Muramasa swords were destroyed during this time. Some of the swords were horded and kept secret by those who harbored ill feelings towards the shogun. Others removed the signatures on the swords so that they could keep them.

The Flowing Stream Lengend
There is a legend that involves the blades of Muramasa and Masamune. It is said that if these swords were placed in a flowing stream with lotus leaves that each sword would behave differently. The Muramasa would cut any leaf that would come across its path will the Masamune wouldn’t cut any leaves since they seemed to flow around the sword. This legend shows the darkness of the Muramasa and the gentle nature of the Masamune.

=Anime=

Muramasa shows up in some Japanese Animes.

Bleach
Muramasa shows up in one of the Bleach arcs as a Zanpakuto. In ways it shows some of the same characteristics as in the legends. When it releases its shikai it causes the nearby swords of foes to turn on their wielder and cut them down. This sword has wielded by Kōga Kuchiki who was sealed away for revolting against the Soul Society. This zanpakuto also materializes into its true form and materializes the zanpakutos of the soul society into their true forms to fight against their shinigamis.

=Games=

There are lots of games where the sword Muramasa makes an appearance. Where it appears the Masamune may appear too. Square Enix is known for including these swords in many of their games.

Muramasa: The Demon Blade
This game was created by Vanillaware. It is a role-playing in which you are a ninja in a world full of cursed blades which have become the focus of greed, arrogance and evil in the world. This game was only released for the Wii.

Golden Sun
In the Golden Sun games the Muramasa blade is a long sword weapon. It is a cursed sword with the power to inflict its opponent with a haunting. In Dark dawn the blade is given so late in the game that is much weaker than blades you can already make. It is also significantly weaker than in the previous golden sun games.

Skyrim
Though it is it not said to be the cursed Muramasa blade, Skyrim has a blade that is very similar in characteristics. The Ebony Blade, received from the whispering Lady quest, is a two handed katana that gains strength with every ally you strike down with it. It also has the ability to suck the life from anyone it cuts. When you receive it there is also a note bearing a warning to any unfortunate soul unlucky enough to take this blade with them.

=References=