Hotarumaru

Hotarumaru (蛍丸, "Firefly"[1]) is an ōdachi (Japanese huge greatsword) forged by the swordsmith Rai Kunitoshi (来国俊)[2] and an Important Cultural Property of Japan.[3]

A drawing of Hotarumaru from Shūko Jisshu (『集古十種』)

History

The name came from a legend that one night flaws on the blade were repaired by fireflies.[4][5] The ōdachi is also known as Aso no Hotarumaru (阿蘇の蛍丸) since it was kept as a treasure of the Aso Shrine.[6]

The ōdachi was designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan (then-National Treasure) on December 14, 1931.[3] Since the end of World War II, however, it has been missing.[6]

In 2015, Touken Ranbu fans raised ¥45 million through crowdfunding to construct a replica of the Hotarumaru. During the reconstruction, the Aso Shrine was destroyed from an earthquake in April 2016. A ceremony for the completion of the replica was held on August 27, 2016, and is scheduled to be displayed at the Aso Shrine in April or May 2017 once the shrine is rebuilt.[7]

References
  1. Murray, John (1913), A Handbook for Travellers in Japan (including Formosa), London, p. 469
  2. 柴田 & 大河内 2005, p. 252.
  3. 昭和6年12月14日文部省告示第332号（See：国立国会図書館デジタルコレクション、3コマ目）
  4. 福永, 酔剣 (1993), "ほたるまる【蛍丸】", 日本刀大百科事典, 5, 雄山閣, p. 24, ISBN 4-639-01202-0
  5. 武富, 邦茂 (1943), "蛍丸国俊", 日本刀と無敵魂, 彰文館
  6. 柴田 & 大河内 2005, p. 254.
  7. Stimson, Eric (2016-09-05). "Tōken Ranbu Sword Hotarumaru Reconstruction Finished". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2021-08-12.

Bibliography
  • 柴田, 光男; 大河内, 常平 (2005), 趣味の日本刀, 雄山閣出版, ISBN 4-639-01881-9
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