Kiku-ichimonji

Kiku-ichimonji (菊一文字) ("Chrysanthemum-straight line"), often romanized with a somewhat misplaced hyphen as Kikuichi-monji, is a collective name given to the katana (a type of Japanese sword) made by the thirteen swordsmiths who were in attendance to the Emperor Go-Toba in 1208.

Emperor Go-Toba, who commissioned the 13 swordsmiths

Each swordsmith was in attendance to the emperor for a month of the Japanese calendar. The swordsmiths of the Fukuoka School traditionally inscribed only the Japanese kanji character "Ichi" (一, one) on the tang of their swords as their signature. They further received permission to add the Imperial chrysanthemum emblem (菊の御紋, kiku no gomon) on the tang, leading to these swords being known collectively as "Kiku-ichimonji", with "monji" (文字) meaning the inscribed kanji.

Go-Toba was interested in the construction of Japanese swords, and so he summoned these swordsmiths, granting them court rank and title, and asked them to share the secrets of the production of higher-quality swords.

List of swordsmiths

Owing to the popularity of Shiba Ryōtarō's fiction, many modern fans of the Shinsengumi believe a Kiku-ichimonji made by Norimune to have been Okita Soji's sword. Historically, Okita used a sword made by Kiyomitsu of Kaga Province, among other blades.

In the anime and manga versions of Rurouni Kenshin, a Norimune-made Kiku-ichimonji is wielded by Seta Sōjirō (who is based on a darker Okita from the novel Shinsengumi Keppuroku.)

In the sci-fi alternate history jidaigeki action-comedy anime and manga Gintama, a member of the anime world's Shinsengumi, Okita Sougo, owns a katana dubbed "Kiku-ichimonji RX-78", which features, alongside basic featurea such as sharp blade, a digital music player with a maximum 124 hours of playtime in its hilt. Okita Sougo himself was loosely based on the historical figure Okita Soji, alluding to popular rumours that a Kiku-ichimonji was Okita Soji's sword.

Swords styled as "Kiku-ichimonji" or which share characteristics with Kiku-ichimonji appear in many video games.

In Inazuma Eleven GO, Kiku-ichimonji is used by Tsurugi Kyosuke in his Mixi-Max form.

In Final Fantasy IV, Kiku-ichimonji is a type of sword used by Edge, the ninja. It is also a type of sword wielded by ninjas and assassins in multiple games from that series.

Path of Exile features a sword named Ichimonji, paying homage to the Kiku-ichimonji and resembling them in appearance.

In Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Astray, the Gundam Astray Red Frame wields a katana named Gerbera Straight, which a literal translation of Kiku-ichimonji.

In the Golden Sun (series) Kiku-ichimonji is a light blade that can be obtained and equipped in some characters.

In Wizardry: Tale of the Forsaken Land, a character named Hina wields the Kikuichimonji.

In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, ichimonji is a heavy, overhead attack found in the Ashina Arts Skill Tree.

In Touken Ranbu, during the event Special Investigation: Keiou Koufu, it is possible to get a Kiku-ichimonji named Ichimonji Norimune. If the unit used for the event has Kashuu Kiyomitsu, special cutscenes between the two of them can be unlocked.

References
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