The Kikuichimonji Norimune was a katana of Seta Sōjirō.
About[]
The Kikuichimonji is not a single sword, but a series of swords made of a collaboration between Emperor Gotoba of the Kamakura Era and the best smiths in all of the land. Though Emperor Gotoba had an artistic interest in sword smithing, there was an ulterior motive for the collaboration, being to provide an arsenal of weapons for the Imperial Army against the growing power of the Hojo Kamakura Shogunate upon their victories against the Mongol Invasions.
The Kikuichimonji were known assigned to each specific month of the calendar, from January to December, and the Intermediary Month of the lunar calendar, with two incarnations. Norimune was assigned January of the first incarnation of the Kikuichimonji, and was selected because of him being at the frontlines of the first wave of the Mongol Invasions, studying and refining the Japanese sword after its battles. Because he was the first chosen by Emperor Gotoba, he is considered the co-founder of the Kikuichimonji collaboration.
History[]
Upon the day of Kenshin, Saito, and Sanosuke's appointed duels at the Shrine of the Six Torii, Sojiro wielded this blade, being among the best sword he could wield. As Kenshin, Sanosuke, and Yumi making to Seta's location, his and Kenshin's rematch began. Upon clashing swords at the beginning of the duel, this time, Kenshin's new Sakabato Shinuchi was able to make a severe dent upon impact.
When the duel came to its end, as Kenshin's Amakakeru Ryu no Hirameki and Seta's Shutensatsu traded blows, the Kikuichimonji Norimune was cut in two.
Trivia[]
- To the idea that the sword of a samurai must match its wielder, the Kikuichimonji Norimune was created with artistic passion by Emperor Gotoba's pursuits of the arts, but was created ensure the power of the Imperial Throne and was born of smiths who answered the call to protect Japan against the invading Mongols. When Gotoba started his rebellion, it was easily subdued, resulting in his exile to the Oki Islands for the rest of his life. These swords in turn suit the likes of the Ishin Shishi, but also extends to Shishio and his army, who also seek Japan's safety, but under western Imperialism and to breed the strong by conflict. In the hands of Sojiro, the Kikuichimonji Norimune is his decorating sword to represent Shishio's cause, but the cause he serves is not truly benevolent, and in turn does not give its blessing due to his past actions.