Kikujūmonji

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Kikujūmonji
Kikujūmonji
Nihongo	掬十文字
Literal Meaning	Chrysanthemum Cross Sword
Historical information
Creation	Forged by unknown
Destruction	Blade snapped on Mistress Three-Eyes' body (replica)
Wielder	Yoshiteru Ashikaga (originally) Ogigayatsu Hiiragi Danjo (currently) Towa Higurashi (replica and genuine article)
Physical information
Type	National treasure (genuine article) Forged (replica) Sword
Blade color	Silver
Grip color	Red
Pommel color	Gold
Debut
InuYasha Anime	Episode 2 (Hanyō no Yashahime)

Kikujūmonji (菊十文字（きくじゅうもんじ）) is a sword wielded by the dog-hanyō Towa Higurashi. However, it is an imitation of the genuine katana as it had broken with ease. It was Towa's main weapon in the first season by infusing her own demonic energy into and projecting a blade of pure said energy from it to terminate her enemies at a distance. Since receiving the legendary cosmic sword Zanseiken, it is no longer used but is still carried in its sheathe on her back. At point, it was utilized when Towa had become fully demonic at the interference and urging of Zero. Later, she used it again after learning that the Zanseiken was cursed by Kirinmaru after she saved her father Sesshōmaru who had been hit by the Demon Fireball.

Physical description

The Kikujūmonji originally brought by Towa is a plain looking uchigatana with a brass-colored circular tsuba (guard) and kashira (pommel), and a red tsuka (wrap). The blade seems to have no hamon (temper line) or hi (fuller). Following battle with Mistress Three-Eyes, it is currently broken a quarter of the way from the tsuba. Towa apparently has not kept the remainder of the blade.

Towa is later given what appears to be the real Kikujūmonji, which has the hamon and hi expected of a genuine blade.

History

Legend says it once belonged to the esteemed shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru (足利 義輝). However, the one wielded by Towa Higurashi is revealed to be a mere replica given to the Higurashi family on loan from a museum.

Towa later receives from Riku what appears to be the real Kikujūmonji, recently stolen from Deputy Shogun Ogigayatsu, though it is quickly recovered by his retainers.

Upon acquiring the Zanseiken from Rion, Towa had stopped using the broken katana as her main weapon. Tōtōsai stated before that the sword she was wielding since she returned to the Feudal Era was incompatible with her demon energy. While Towa encounters Zero and Nanahoshi, and since she had the Eternity Bug, her demonic self was reawakened and resulted in her utilizing the replica katana to put an end to Nanahoshi in one strike. She was even able to disperse Zero's relentless barrage of reddish orbs comprised of her immense demonic energy with ease.

Sometime later, Ogigayatsu bequeaths the genuine article to the Demon Slayers to counteract the apocalyptic powers of the Degenerate Age as it can somehow repel evil demon spirits, which has not yet been demonstrated as of yet. Initially Kohaku refused the offer until his nephew stated that Towa had an unusual affinity to the katana.

Since the Zanseiken was cursed by Kirinmaru after she saved her father Sesshōmaru who had been hit by the Demon Fireball, Towa uses the false Kikujūmonji again to fight against the Kumogashira in the modern era.

Now that the Zanseiken has returned to its universal owner, Towa has retained to infusing her demonic energy into the real sword to take out her adversary.

Powers & Abilities

While the blade is merely normal steel, Towa can use her yōki to create a blade strong enough to impale Mistress Three-Eyes, whose skin was hard enough to break the blade.

• Enhanced Slashing: As it is empowered by Towa's demonic energy, its ability to slice through solid objects is more effective.

Attacks and Techniques

• Sōryūha (蒼竜破（そうりゅうは）, Dragon Strike, "Azure Dragon Wave"): From the tip of her energy blade, Towa can unleash a powerful demonic energy wave in the form of a colossal blue-white dragon, just like her father had originally with Tōkijin, now with Tenseiga.
  • Sōtō no Sōryūha (ツイン蒼竜破（そうりゅうは）, Twin Dragon Strike, "Twin Azure Dragon Wave"): A variant of the technique used by Towa in her full demon form, Kirinmaru was the one whom gave it the name.
• Demonic Energy Barrier: During the second fight with Kirinmaru, Towa first erected the pale blue barrier to protect her dead twin sister Setsuna from the explosion made from Moroha and Towa's combined respective dragon-based attacks had collided with Kirinmaru.

Trivia

• The activation of the yōki energy blade is similar to the lightsaber from Star Wars.
• The Tsuba (guard) is styled after the flower Chrysanthemum which the 'Kiku' from its name stands for.
• The sword may be based on the Mikazuki Munechika, a sword used by Yoshiteru Ashikaga.