Kusanagi Sword: Long Sword of the Heavens

From Narutopedia

Kusanagi Sword: Long Sword of the Heavens[1]
Name
Kanji	草薙の剣・空の太刀
Rōmaji	Kusanagi no Tsurugi: Kū no Tachi
Literal English	Kusanagi Sword: Long Sword of the Heavens
English TV	Grass Long Sword
Debut
Manga	Chapter #123
Anime	Naruto Episode #71
Data
Classification	Ninjutsu, Kenjutsu
Rank	B-rank
Class	Offensive
Range	Short to Mid range
Users Orochimaru

The Kusanagi Sword: Long Sword of the Heavens is the Kusanagi of Japanese legend. Orochimaru retrieves his Kusanagi by opening his mouth and extending a snake which then opens its mouth and produces the sword. Orochimaru was seen producing the sword handle first so he could use it freely, or blade first to attack his opponent instantly. The sword can extend its blade to attack from afar and it can cut through almost anything. Should the wielder be disarmed, the sword can fly back to them through a hand motion. The Kusanagi appears differently from the manga to the anime. In the manga, the Kusanagi looks more like a standard katana, while in the anime it is a guardless, double-edged jian. It should be noted that Orochimaru's Kusanagi could not pierce Naruto in his Four-Tailed form.

Sasuke Uchiha refers to the chokuto he carries as a "Sword of Kusanagi", but it carries none of the unique attributes that Orochimaru's does.

[edit] References

1. ↑ Second Databook, page 209