The sword that cut off the demon's head - Onikirimaru and the legend of Shuten-doji
The sword that cut off the demon's head - Onikirimaru and the legend of Shuten-doji
Shuten-doji, the leader of the demons lurking in Mount Oe in Kyoto, is a name that remains mysteriously etched in people's memories to this day. And the sword used to cut off the demon's head is Onikirimaru.
What is Shuten Doji?
During the Heian period, Shuten-doji was feared as the leader of the demons that ravaged the capital. He lived in Mt. Oe, kidnapped beautiful women, loved alcohol, and held parties every night. His appearance is sometimes described as either a red or white demon, and although he is a strange creature, he also exudes a certain human sadness.
Subjugation of Minamoto no Yorimitsu and the Four Heavenly Kings
Under orders from the Imperial Court, Shogun Minamoto no Yorimitsu leads the Four Heavenly Kings, including Sakata Kintoki (Kintaro), to defeat Shuten-doji. As a strategy, he gives the demons poisoned sake, and attacks them once they are drunk. It is said that the sword that cut off Shuten-doji's head was the legendary Onikirimaru.
This sword was forged by Yasutsuna, a master swordsmith from Hoki Province, and passed down through generations as a family heirloom of the Minamoto clan. It is currently kept at Tada Shrine in Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture, and is revered as a symbol of the valor of the Seiwa Genji clan.
Swords
Onikirimaru is not just a weapon. It embodies human fear, anger, prayer, and a challenge to the question, "What is justice?" The act of slaying a demon may not only have been a way to eliminate an external enemy, but also a way to cut off the darkness within.
However, the fact that his legend is still being told today is proof that he left something in people's hearts.