Famous Japanese swords have names that tell a story: Dōjigiri, the "Child-Cutter", is said to have killed a demon; Mikazuki, "Crescent Moon", is named for the crescent shapes in its steel. This Japanese sword name generator builds names the same three ways, from real Japanese words, and tells you what each one means.
How famous Japanese swords got their names
Celebrated swords, called meibutsu, usually got their names from a story, a feature of the blade, or an owner, and the smith's name was added after. Five are counted as the greatest, the Tenka-Goken:
- Dōjigiri Yasutsuna, "Child-Cutter", said to have killed the demon Shuten-dōji.
- Mikazuki Munechika, "Crescent Moon", for the crescent-shaped patterns along its edge.
- Ōdenta Mitsuyo, Juzumaru Tsunetsugu (named for a Buddhist rosary, juzu, wrapped round its hilt) and Onimaru Kunitsuna, "Demon", said to have cut down a demon on its own.
Others are named for what they cut: Higekiri, "Beard-Cutter", and Hizamaru, "Knee", tested, the legends say, on condemned prisoners. That's where the "cutter" names come from.
Three kinds of name
- Poetic: two words from nature, like the imagery of a haiku. Tsuki (moon) and kage (shadow) make Tsuki-kage, "Moon Shadow".
- Named for what it cut: a thing, plus -giri, from kiru, to cut. Kumo-giri is "Cloud Cutter"; Take-giri, "Bamboo Cutter", for a blade that's been tested.
- With -maru: an old ending found in boys' names, ships' names and swords' names, like the famous Kogarasu-maru, "Little Crow".
The names use hyphens so you can see the parts. Written in Japanese they'd be joined, and sounds sometimes change when words combine.
The legendary smiths
- Masamune, who worked around 1300, is remembered as Japan's greatest swordsmith, and his name is still used to mean a perfect blade.
- Muramasa's swords became known as cursed, said to thirst for blood and to bring misfortune on the Tokugawa family. The legend is much bigger than the history.
- In stories, the two are often set against each other: Masamune's calm perfection against Muramasa's hunger.
For swords in other traditions, try the Sword Name Generator or the Elven Sword Name Generator.
For Chinese martial arts names, see the wuxia and xianxia name generators.
For the swordsman or swordswoman who carries it, try the Anime Character Name Generator.