The Kogarasu Maru (小烏丸), or "Little Crow," is a unique Japanese tachi sword rumored to have been created by legendary Japanese smith Amakuni during 8th century CE.
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'Kissaki Moro Ha Zukuri' blades like the Kogasaru Maru are sometimes referred to as 'Kogarasu Zukuri', since the blade of the Kogarasu Maru is shaped this way and is well known for its distinctive sugata. The Kogarasu Maru is unique as a bridge between the old double-edged Japanese Ken (based on the traditional Chinese straight sword) and the traditional Japanese tachi and eventual katana.
The Kogarasu Maru was designed with a curved double-edged blade approximately 62.8 cm long. One edge of the blade is shaped in normal tachi fashion, but unlike the tachi, the tip is symmetrical and both edges of the blade are sharp, similar to a European sword or a Japanese yari spear, except for about 20 cm of the trailing or concave edge nearest the hilt, which is rounded. A single koshi-hi style groove runs from the nakago to the trasitionpoint where the blade becomes double-edged, and is invariably accompanied by a soe-hi. The yaki-ire (hardening) process yielded a sugaha hamon (straight 'temper' line) on both sides of the blade.
The Kogarasu Maru "Little Crow" is the most famous of the known Kogarasu Zukuri blades and is currently in the Japanese Imperial Collection. The tang of the Kogarasu Maru is not signed but the blade is believed to have been made during the either the early Heian period or late Nara period, by the sword smith Amakuni, who is said to have created the first curved Japanese sword and is believed to have lived during this period. Two other Kogarasu Zukuri blades exist from this era, but many other blades of this type have been created throughout Japanesepene
The Kogarasu Maru is believed by some to have been a cut down naginata or yari blade that was fashioned into a tachi, as its shape is similar to that of some polearms. Nevertheless no evidence of "suriage" (shortening) is found on any of the three extant examples from this time period.
In the Japanese manga and anime, Air Gear, "Kogarasu-Maru" is the name used for the Air Trek team created by the protagonist of the story, Minami Itsuki. Also in the Japanese manga and anime, Tokyo Underground, "Kogarasu-Maru" is the name of a sword used by Rumina Asagi, the main protagonist of that story. In the PlayStation game Soul of the Samurai, Kogarasu Maru is one of the swords carried by Miyamoto Musashi, coming into Kotaro's possession after defeating him.
The sword is also featured as the Samurai Mythic Weapon in the Treasures of Aht Urghan expansion pack of Final Fantasy XI.