Yōkai sword

A Yōkai sword (妖刀（ようとう）, Yōtō, "Demon blade") is simply a blade which possesses demonic powers. They are usually made from actual demons, or at least parts of them, such as their fangs. Some, such as Sō'unga, are actually demons whose power has been sealed inside them. These weapons are relatively rare, and generally wielded by daiyōkai; however, some occasionally fall into the hands of lower-class demons. This can be dangerous for the more powerful swords, since a weaker demon can be overwhelmed and even possessed by the blade's own demonic aura. For similar reasons, humans generally are not able to wield demon swords, one notable exception being Bankotsu. In more extreme cases, a weak demon or human can even be destroyed by the overwhelming yōki of the blade, as was the case with Tōkijin and Dakki, the smiths of both weapons, Kaijinbō and Tōshū, respectively, being obliterated by the tremendous backflow of energy. It is also suggested by Inuyasha that Banryū's demonic aura would eventually kill Bankotsu.

Because of their immense powers, yōkai swords are mostly crafted by master swordsmiths such as Tōtōsai and Kaijinbō. However, Tōtōsai is seemingly the only one capable of withstanding the power of the the swords he creates without being corrupted.

Notable yōkai blades

• Bakusaiga
• Tessaiga
• Tenseiga
• Sō'unga (destroyed and sealed into the Netherworld)
• Tōkijin (destroyed)
• Dakki (destroyed and absorbed into Tessaiga)
• Fūjinga (destroyed)
• Raijinga (destroyed)
• Banryū (became a yōkai sword from Bankotsu's wish; destroyed)
• Kurikaramaru
• Kikujūmonji (replica used as one by Towa Higurashi)
• Bakuseiken (destroyed; merged into the sword of Amatsumikaboshi)
• Zanseiken (destroyed; merged into the sword of Amatsumikaboshi)

Trivia

• With the exception of Bakuseiken, which is in the possession of Kirinmaru, all currently named and existing yōkai swords belong to members of the Dog Demon Clan.