Top 10 Most Mysterious Swords in Human History

Muramasa is a cursed sword created by a disciple of the famous swordsmith Okazaki Goronyudo Masamune. Legends say that the sword's curse stemmed from the disciple's corrupted heart and restless mind. Another reason for the curse was that he wasn't taught by Masamune the secret technique of controlling the heat during the forging process. Consumed by jealousy, the disciple stole the secrets from his master to forge his own sword. Upon discovering this, Masamune became furious and severed his student's hand with a single stroke. The student, filled with anger and resentment, left with the vow to defeat the sword made by his teacher. The dark spirit of vengeance entered the sword, and thus, Muramasa became infamous. During the Warring States period in Japan, there was great demand for fine swords, and Muramasa only made the most exquisite blades for close combat. During the Edo period, the sword became known by names such as 'cursed sword' and 'demonic sword,' largely due to its fearsome reputation and the belief that it carried dark magic that haunted those who wielded it.

When discussing Muramasa, one cannot forget Honjo Masamune. According to legend, the two swords, Muramasa and Masamune, once competed against each other. While the cursed Muramasa could sever anything it touched, the Masamune sword was known for never harming innocent beings.

Masamune is revered as a national treasure, considered a sword of immense value, but whether it was truly a legendary sword or merely a name with no substance remains uncertain, as no one has ever seen the real Masamune with their own eyes. This only adds to the mystery surrounding it.

Next, we must mention Joyeuse – the legendary sword of King Charlemagne. It is said that this sword could change colors up to 30 times a day, its shine as bright as the sun. Two swords named Joyeuse appeared during the coronation ceremonies of French kings starting in 1271. The Roman Catholic Church held one of the two swords for many centuries.

Legend has it that in 802, the sword Joyeuse, meaning 'joyous' in French, was forged over three years by a famous blacksmith. In addition to its stunning appearance, it possessed magical powers, shining brighter than the sun and capable of blinding enemies. Anyone wielding this legendary sword would be immune to poisoning. Emperor Charlemagne camped where the sword was created and claimed it after returning from Spain.

We cannot forget to mention The Sword of Saint Peter. There are many legends surrounding the sword of Saint Peter, who is said to have used it to cut off the ear of a servant in the Garden of Gethsemane. Joseph of Arimathea brought both the Holy Grail and this sword to England.

However, Bishop Jordan brought the sword to Poland in 968. From then on, it remained in Poland until it was transferred to the Archdiocese Museum in Poznan.

Legend has it that a knight once fashioned a sword with a handle, sheath, and belt made from human skin – quite a chilling thought, isn't it? This is the Wallace Sword, made from the dried skin of Scotland’s treasury officer Hugh de Cressingham, which was used by William Wallace as the sheath after he defeated him in the Battle of Stirling. The sword is still on display at the National Wallace Monument.

Over time, the sword has undergone numerous repairs and is no longer in its original state. Wallace was executed by English King Edward I for treason in 1305. Nevertheless, the image of this heroic knight wielding his colossal sword remains deeply etched in the hearts of the Scottish people. Today, Wallace is regarded as a national hero, and his sword is considered one of the most famous legendary swords in the world, preserved to this day.

Those familiar with the movie 'King Goujian' will undoubtedly recognize this legendary sword. It was discovered in a damp tomb in China in 1965. Historians believe the sword is over 2,000 years old, yet it shows no signs of rust or wear.

Through studies and archaeological research on the inscriptions on the sword, it was confirmed that this is the sword of King Goujian of Yue, the legendary blade mentioned in the 'Yue Tuo Shu' (The Book of Yue). The metallurgists of ancient Yue had mastered the technique of forging rust-resistant compounds into the blade, which is truly remarkable! Additionally, the sword was well-protected by anti-rust materials, and the sword's scabbard was so well-sealed that the blade has remained in pristine condition for over two millennia.

The last sword that Mytour wants to highlight in this list is the Seven-Branched Sword. This mystical blade was discovered in the Isonokami Shrine in Japan in 1945. What makes this sword unique are the six branches extending from both sides (with the tip of the sword being considered the seventh branch).

Faint inscriptions on the sword suggest that it may have been a gift from a Korean king to the Japanese emperor. This sword could very well be the legendary Seven-Branched Sword of Empress Jingū, a mythical and controversial figure in Japanese history, as mentioned in ancient Japanese texts.

There are two separate legends regarding the origins of Excalibur, also known as the 'Sword in the Stone,' as found in surviving texts about King Arthur. The first version appears in Robert de Boron's poem 'Merlin,' where Excalibur is described as a mysterious sword embedded in a stone, which could only be drawn by King Arthur himself.

The second legend, found in the Post-Vulgate Suite du Merlin, tells of King Arthur receiving Excalibur from the Lady of the Lake after his first sword was broken in battle against King Pellinore. Excalibur is said to be a sword capable of cutting through steel—whether it's a mere myth or grounded in reality is still uncertain. Its mystery has made it a frequent subject in art, theater, and anime, becoming an iconic relic in popular culture.

Ranked ninth on the list is Kusanagi, a sword many may immediately associate with Uchiha Sasuke from the 'Naruto' series, who carried it since leaving the Hidden Leaf Village. And yes, this is the very sword! Kusanagi is known as one of the Three Imperial Regalia of Japan. According to legend, it was discovered in the corpse of an eight-headed serpent, which also explains Sasuke’s connection to snakes, as his summoned creatures are also snakes. The serpent was slain by the sea god.

Over time, Kusanagi has come to symbolize the Japanese imperial family (Imperial Regalia) and is associated with the sun goddess Amaterasu. It represents divine power and has been used by Japan’s royal family to assert authority over their subjects. The sword is currently housed in Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya, though its existence has remained undisclosed for centuries.

In addition to Excalibur and Kusanagi, Durandal stands as one of the most mysterious swords in history. Legend has it that for centuries, this enchanted blade was embedded in the rock above the small Notre Dame church in Rocamadour, France. The sword is said to have belonged to the knight Roland.

In an attempt to prevent it from falling into enemy hands during battle, Roland threw the sword into the rock, ensuring it would be lost forever to his foes. From the 17th century onwards, the small Notre Dame church became a revered pilgrimage site. In 2011, authorities removed the sword from the rock and placed it in the Cluny Museum in Paris, where it is now preserved and displayed.