Japanese anime such as Narutoand Kimetsu no Yaiba have introduced us to katana swords and kunai over the years with Itachi’s sword being among the most memorable.
Itachi Uchiha’s blade gives him a power boost in addition to his already powerful Akatsuki sharingan. The ninja weapon also works together with his existing powers, creating a self-reinforcing loop of power between the sword and his abilities.
4 Facts About Itachi Uchiha’s Ninja Sword
Naruto Shippuden and Boruto may have introduced us to newer, more powerful iterations of the Sasuke sword, but Itachi’s katana still holds its own as a variant of the grass cutter blade. These are just some of the reasons why it was so powerful and why it remains to be among the strongest Naruto weapons today.
1. The Sword of Totsuka Is Inspired By A Mythological Samurai Sword
Like many other anime swords, the Sword of Totsuka is inspired by Japanese myths. In the legend of Yamata-no-Orochi, the storm god Susano-o slays Yamata-no-Orochi, a monster with eight heads and eight tails, using the Totsuka no Tsurugi katana.
The name also has an ominous implication for Sasuke Uchiha since the mythical sword was also used by Izanagi, Susano-o’s father, to kill his brother after his mother died giving birth to him. We later see Sasuke fighting Itachi while he’s under the curse of Orochimaru and is using the Sword of Totsuka.
2. The Sword Has Legendary Abilities
Just like its namesake, the Sword of Totsuka has legendary abilities that allow Itachi to channel near-divine powers. One of these is shown when he uses the Cursed Seal of Heaven to extract the souls of others and seal them into his sword or control them.
The Sword of Totsuka is also incredibly sharp and can generate blasts of energy while in battle, extending its “blade” reach further than any other normal sword.
3. The Sword Doesn’t Have a Physical Form
The most we know about the Sword of Totsuka’s appearance is that it’s a variant of the Kusanagi sword used by Uchiha Sasuke and a variation on the Kusanagi that Orochimaru has been seeking. Other than that, the sword has no fixed appearance as it is an ethereal sword.
It’s also said to take the form of a liquid, likely sake since its alternative name is Sakegari no Tachi, when not in use.
Ethereal swords in the Naruto anime and manga easily change their shape, form, and size, making it difficult to find exact replica swords based on them. However, because we know that the sword is a variant of the Kusanagi swords, we can deduce that it should also look like a traditional Japanese katana.
4. It Sends Defeated Enemies To A Pocket Dimension
The Sword of Totsuka is sheathed inside a gourd instead of a scabbard as a reference to another Japanese myth about hyotan-kozo or bottle gourd spirits.
In the franchise, this is used to imply that Itachi Uchiha’s blade sends the absorbed spirits of vanquished enemies to a “world of drunken dreams” inside the gourd.
How to Pick An Itachi Sword Replica
Anime sword replicas can easily be purchased online these days, but how well your replica meets your expectations depends on how well you select it. Sword replicas are intended for different uses and are made of a variety of materials to suit your needs and budget.
Material
Replica swords are typically made of stainless steel, wood, and plastic. Stainless steel is a favorite among collectors since it looks exactly like a real blade, however some sword designs are easier to replicate with higher and consistent quality using wood or plastic. This is especially true for swords with unusual shapes.
Foam and PVC are more commonly used in toy swords for children or Live Action Role Play (LARP) replica swords since they are cheap and can take a beating without causing significant physical damage to anyone they’re being used on.
Purpose
Modern swords are usually made as replicas for swords in shows, video games, and books. These swords tend to be cheaper as they only need to resemble the sword they’re designed to replicate. On the other hand, you have battle-ready swords which are made for use in martial arts such as swordfighting.
If you’re looking for a sword that looks like an anime sword and can be used in a real fight, you’ll need a battle-ready sword.
Price
Replica swords tend to be better quality and are therefore, on the higher end of the price range. However, many mid-range swords hit the sweet spot between quality and price, giving you better value for your money in the long run. We recommend saving up for a stainless steel replica if you plan on getting an Itachi sword replica for your anime sword collection to ensure that it lasts.
Our Picks for the Best Itachi Sword Replicas
No Itachi Uchiha cosplay would be complete without the right replica sword. While getting a copy of a sword that’s literally described as formless can be difficult, there are a number of katana swords on the market that already resemble Orochimaru’s grass cutter sword, the blade that Itachi’s Sword of Totsuka is often compared to.
1. Itachi Katana Sword Replica
This budget plastic sword is a full-size katana replica that’s well-suited for a quick Itachi cosplay. The sword features an all-black blade and hilt, but has traditional Japanese design details that keep it in-line with the few descriptions of the Sword of Totsuka we have.
The sword’s tsuba has a dragon engraving positioned underneath the hilt. Its manufacturer has even included a shiny faux hamon line to really help sell the Japanese sword aesthetic.
Material: Polypropylene
Length: 85.09 cm
2. Stainless Steel Itachi Katana
High end, battle-ready, and historically accurate, this Shi Katana boasts a T10 high carbon steel blade with one of the finest hamon lines you’ll see on a modern day katana. The sword has a badass tsuba design that portrays a human skull with a single silver tooth, a perfect acknowledgement to the lethality of the Sword of Totsuka.
The sword’s pommel is engraved with a swirling pattern inspired by clouds in traditional Japanese paintings. It also comes with a genuine textured black lacquer scabbard with a bright yellow saya.
Material: T10 high carbon steel
Length: 105.41 cm
Conclusion
Itachi Uchiha’s Sword of Totsuka is a legend-inspired sword with legendary powers. While it’s hard to find a replica of a sword that’s meant to have no fixed physical form, the lore similarities between it and other swords with physical appearances in the Naruto anime and manga allow us fans to search for high-quality sword-a-likes to stand in for the Sword of Totsuka.
20-something freelance writer who likes games and history maybe a little too much. When I'm not writing for the web, I write notes for a new Dungeons and Dragons campaign. Hyperfixations include Genshin Impact, color eyeliner, true crime, and Star Wars.
Juliana has been writing for nearly thirty years and concentrates on Tudor and Medieval history. She has written for Tudor Dynasty, Tudor Writing Circle, Historian Matt Lewis, and others. Juliana currently writes for Pen and Sword Publishers and is the author of several books, including Medicine in the Middle Ages and A History of Insanity and the Asylum.
