{"id":105263,"date":"2025-01-30T00:31:24","date_gmt":"2025-01-30T05:31:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/?p=105263"},"modified":"2025-01-30T00:31:26","modified_gmt":"2025-01-30T05:31:26","slug":"inspiration-behind-fantasy-swords","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/blog\/inspiration-behind-fantasy-swords\/","title":{"rendered":"The Inspirations Behind Most Popular Swords In Pop Culture"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><p>Table of Contents<\/p><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#1-star-wars-lightsaber\">Star Wars Lightsaber<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#2-king-arthurs-excalibur\">King Arthur\u2019s Excalibur<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#3-mulans-sword\">Mulan\u2019s Sword<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#4-game-of-thrones-swords\">Game of Thrones Swords<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#5-anduril-sword-from-the-lord-of-the-rings\">Anduril Sword from The Lord of the Rings<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#6-the-hobbit-swords\">The Hobbit Swords<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#7-the-witcher-steel-sword\">The Witcher Steel Sword<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#8-hattori-hanzo-sword\">Hattori Hanzo Sword<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#9-sakabato-from-rurouni-kenshin\">Sakabato from Rurouni Kenshin\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#10-zatoichis-sword-cane\">Zatoichi\u2019s Sword Cane<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>From the glowing blade of a hero destined to save the world to the menacing weapon of a dark overlord, fantasy swords have carved their place in our imagination. These iconic weapons don\u2019t just slice through enemies\u2014they carry rich stories of power, legacy, and magic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While many designers draw inspiration from historical swords, the fantastical twists they add often stray far from reality, creating weapons that are as impractical as they are breathtaking. But what drove these designs? Was it history, mythology, or pure creativity?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s dive into the inspiration behind the most beloved fantasy swords to ever grace our screens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-star-wars-lightsaber\">1. <em>Star Wars<\/em> Lightsaber<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Star Wars Featurette: The Birth of the Lightsaber\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RIefj6dOhnM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In <em>Star Wars<\/em> films, lightsabers are the weapons of both the Jedi and Sith. These weapons have blades made of laser energy capable of cutting through almost anything, including enemies, blast doors, and even deflecting incoming blaster bolts. In a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.starwars.com\/video\/star-wars-featurette-the-birth-of-the-lightsaber\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Star Wars <\/em>Featurette<\/a>, writer-director George Lucas revealed that the original concept was for the Jedi knights to fight with just swords. However, he aimed to create a futuristic and technologically advanced version of a sword, resulting in a lightsaber.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" data-src=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Different-lightsabers-in-display.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-105364 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Different-lightsabers-in-display.jpg 800w, https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Different-lightsabers-in-display-740x555.jpg 740w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 800px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 800\/600;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Different lightsabers in display &#8211; Credits: Gadget Virtuoso<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Initially, lightsabers were envisioned as extremely heavy weapons requiring the use of two hands. Over time, they became conceptually lighter, enabling single-handed use. This change was driven by the desire to make lightsaber duels faster and more intense. The design of lightsaber hilts was inspired by a vintage 1940s camera flashgun, also known as the Graflex handle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The design of lightsabers evolved over the years, ranging from the typical single-ended design to dual-ended, piked, and folding types. In <em>Star Wars: The Force Awakens<\/em>, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/news\/the-switch\/wp\/2014\/11\/28\/master-bladesmith-new-lightsaber-design-is-a-terrible-idea\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sith lightsaber featured mini-plasma-like blades<\/a> as a crossguard. Crossguards historically served to protect a swordsman\u2019s hand from an opponent\u2019s blade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Many believe incorporating crossguards into lightsabers could be practical due to the frequent hand amputations depicted in Star Wars films. However, some argue that weaponized crossguards might pose additional dangers to the wielder, particularly during complex fighting maneuvers and spins. Notably, the Sith lightsaber design appears crudely made, flawed, and would be overloaded if not for the side vents that create the <em>quillons<\/em>\u2014arms of the crossguard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-king-arthurs-excalibur\">2. King Arthur\u2019s Excalibur<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"251\" data-src=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Excalibur-Sword.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-105365 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Excalibur-Sword.jpg 900w, https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Excalibur-Sword-740x206.jpg 740w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 900px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 900\/251;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/blog\/excalibur-sword\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/blog\/excalibur-sword\/\">Excalibur<\/a> is the magical sword of King Arthur of Camelot, given by the Lady of the Lake. In the Arthurian legends, the legendary king could not be defeated as long as he carried it, as its scabbard protected him from all wounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Excalibur is rooted in Celtic beliefs, traditions, and myths. The Celts endowed supernatural powers to the weapons of gods, kings, heroes, and warriors. Weapons were also given with personalities of their own, as well as names, pedigrees, and histories. Also, the Celts traditionally threw their weapons into ponds and lakes, likely associated with their sacrificial rituals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some believe the Excalibur may have been associated with the <em>Caladbolg<\/em>, a lightning sword of Irish hero Fergus mac R\u00f3ich. The Irish <em>Caladbolg<\/em> translates as <em>hard gap<\/em>, which could mean <em>cleaving through the hardship<\/em> [of battle] or <em>cleaving what is hard<\/em>. It is also called <em>caladbou<\/em>, meaning <em>hard fighter<\/em>. The Irish <em>Caladbolg<\/em> has the same meaning as the Welsh <em>Caledfwlch<\/em>\u2014an alternative name of Excalibur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, their similarities may be due to the common borrowing between Celtic languages. Some scholars suggest that the Irish <em>Caladbolg<\/em> and the Welsh <em>Caledfwlch <\/em>were likely generic terms for a sword, and the latter became Arthur\u2019s sword in the British tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-mulans-sword\">3. Mulan\u2019s Sword<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Making Mulan&#039;s Sword: Inside Weta Workshop\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GXInMNRtkRw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The epic tale of China\u2019s legendary warrior, Hua Mulan, has undergone adaptations spanning over a thousand years.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In <a href=\"https:\/\/time.com\/5881064\/mulan-real-history\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Disney\u2019s latest film Mulan<\/a>, as with the original <em>Ballad of Mulan<\/em>, the protagonist disguises herself as a man in place of her ailing father and enlists in the army to fight invaders. At first glance, the sword wielded by Mulan in the film appears to be a <em>jian<\/em> sword characterized by its straight design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, upon closer examination, the sword features a straight, single-edged blade, classifying it as a <em>dao<\/em>. Typically, the term <em>dao<\/em> implies a curved Chinese saber, though it may also be a <em>straight dao<\/em> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mandarinmansion.com\/item\/zhibeidao-spectacular-blade\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>straight-backed dao<\/em> called <em>zhibeidao<\/em><\/a>. The earliest Chinese single-edged swords were <em>zhibeidao<\/em>, until the Mongols introduced the curved saber to China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wetaworkshop.com\/projects-in-depth\/mulan-armour-and-weapons\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The W\u0113t\u0101 Workshop<\/a>, responsible for manufacturing the film\u2019s weapon props, has revealed that they intentionally made the blade highly reflective due to a particular scene where Mulan looks at her reflection in the blade. Beyond this, they created a special sword twice the size to achieve the perfect reflection for that specific shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-game-of-thrones-swords\">4. <em>Game of Thrones<\/em> Swords<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Swords are the most prestigious weapons in the <a href=\"https:\/\/time.com\/5517025\/game-of-thrones-binge-watch-recaps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Game of Thrones<\/em><\/a>, an American television series based on George R.R. Martin\u2019s novel series <em>A Song of Ice and Fire<\/em>. Martin took inspiration from medieval and Renaissance European swords, especially when envisioning the swords of Westeros. Still, many sword designs were influenced by various designers responsible for the show\u2019s iconic weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Martin also incorporated a magical element into certain swords through Valyrian steel, a legendary and rare material capable of killing the White Walkers and their leader, the Night King. The swords featured in both the show and novels have names, with a select few <a href=\"https:\/\/time.com\/5575060\/game-of-thrones-valyrian-steel-swords\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">made from Valyrian steel<\/a>, including Ice, Longclaw, Oathkeeper, and Heartsbane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ned Stark\u2019s Ice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"170\" data-src=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Ned-Starks-Ice.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-105371 lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/170;width:840px;height:auto\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Ice is the ancient greatsword of House Stark, owned by Ned Stark (also known as Eddard Stark), and the first Valyrian steel blade featured in the show. It reminds us of the two-handed greatswords of the 15th and 16th centuries, an extremely large sword with a massive blade, requiring two hands for proper wielding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Historically, the large two-handed great swords have been known by various names, including <em>doppelh\u00e4nder<\/em> (double-hander), <em>bidenh\u00e4nder<\/em> (both-hander), <em>zweihander <\/em>(two-hander), <em>montante<\/em>, and <em>spadone<\/em>. Some were used on the battlefield against multiple opponents, to break up pikemen formations, or even<a href=\"https:\/\/collections.royalarmouries.org\/object\/rac-object-123.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> as ceremonial bearing swords<\/a> or parade swords (<em>paratschwerter<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the most renowned battlefield uses of the greatsword was among the German Landsknechts mercenaries, specifically the <em>doppels\u00f6ldners<\/em> (double-pay men), who skillfully used the <em>zweihander<\/em> to breach enemy ranks. During the early Renaissance, pike formations were common, and the <em>zweihander<\/em> was used to cut off the shafts of long pole weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jon Snow\u2019s Longclaw<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"357\" data-src=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Longclaw-Sword-of-Jon-Snow.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-105370 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Longclaw-Sword-of-Jon-Snow.jpg 900w, https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Longclaw-Sword-of-Jon-Snow-740x294.jpg 740w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 900px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 900\/357;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Jon Snow\u2019s Longclaw was bequeathed to him by Jeor Mormont from House Mormont, the Lord Commander of the Night\u2019s Watch. It originally had a bear-head pommel, the heraldic emblem of House Mormont. As a token of gratitude for Jon saving his life, Jeor altered the pommel into a dire wolf-head, the sigil of House Stark, then gifted it to Jon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Historically, bastard swords, which emerged in the 15th and 16th centuries, are a type of longsword featuring hand-and-a-half grips, allowing it to be wielded with one or two hands. Additionally, the tradition of crafting sword pommels in the shape of animal or human heads originated in the region spanning present-day Iran and Eastern Turkey, dating back to around 1200 to 800 BCE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stylized animal heads on sword pommels also appeared later during the Viking Age, largely fading until their revival from the 16th to the 19th century. Lion-head pommels also gained popularity among British military swords during the 18th and 19th centuries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Brienne of Tarth\u2019s Oathkeeper<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"248\" data-src=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Brienne-of-Tarths-Oathkeeper.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-105363 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Brienne-of-Tarths-Oathkeeper.jpg 900w, https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Brienne-of-Tarths-Oathkeeper-740x204.jpg 740w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 900px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 900\/248;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hbo.com\/game-of-thrones\/season-4\/4-oathkeeper\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Oathkeeper<\/a> is a reforged Valyrian steel sword, melted from Ned Stark\u2019s Ice. It originally belonged to Jaime Lannister, who later gave it to Brienne of Tarth when he sent her on a mission to find the Stark girls. In her dedication to upholding her vows and promises, Brienne named her sword <em>Oathkeeper<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Oathkeeper is notable for its elaborately decorated grips, <em>quillons,<\/em> and stylized animal-head pommel. Its hilt design is comparable to 16th-century<a href=\"https:\/\/www.metmuseum.org\/art\/collection\/search\/22914\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> European hunting swords<\/a>, which were used for finishing off a wounded animal after being impaled by a spear or shot. These historical weapons sometimes feature engravings depicting scenes of hunting. Some<a href=\"https:\/\/www.metmuseum.org\/art\/collection\/search\/35650\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> American presentation swords<\/a> and<a href=\"https:\/\/collections.royalarmouries.org\/object\/rac-object-7720.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> 19th-century British bandsmen swords<\/a> also feature decorative hilts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jorah Mormont\u2019s Heartsbane<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"253\" data-src=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Jorah-Mormonts-Heartsbane.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-105368 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Jorah-Mormonts-Heartsbane.jpg 900w, https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Jorah-Mormonts-Heartsbane-740x208.jpg 740w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 900px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 900\/253;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Heartsbane is a Valyrian steel sword that once belonged to House Tarly. Samwell Tarly gave the sword to Jorah Mormont in the fight against the White Walkers. Similar to Ned Stark\u2019s Ice, the Heartsbane is a two-handed greatsword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In a feature by CNET showcasing<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/culture\/entertainment\/game-of-thrones-unsheathed-meet-the-woman-behind-the-swords\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> armorer Natalia Lee<\/a>, it is revealed that the Heartsbane design draws inspiration from hunting rifles and Biblical Renaissance paintings. Given that the sigil of House Tarly is a striding huntsman, the sword\u2019s shape mirrors that of a bow and arrow and is decorated with hunting motifs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Arya Stark\u2019s Needle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"228\" data-src=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Arya-Starks-Needle.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-105362 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Arya-Starks-Needle.jpg 900w, https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Arya-Starks-Needle-740x187.jpg 740w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 900px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 900\/228;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Arya Stark named her sword <em>Needle<\/em>, referencing her least favorite domestic craft: needlework. It was a gift from her half-brother Jon Snow, and its compact size makes it well-suited for a young individual like Arya.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Needle has a thin, lightweight blade, likely inspired by European smallswords from the 17th and 18th centuries. Smallswords were civilian weapons and dueling swords designed for thrusting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the Needle\u2019s simple hilt design is more similar to<a href=\"https:\/\/collections.royalarmouries.org\/object\/rac-object-193.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> a 17th-century pillow sword<\/a>, so-called because of where it was kept. In the past, a pillow sword would hang above a headboard within easy reach, serving as a means of bedside defense against nighttime intrusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Arakh of the Dothraki<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"144\" data-src=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Khal-Drogos-Arakh.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-105369 lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/144;width:840px;height:auto\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Arakh is the distinctive weapon of<a href=\"https:\/\/www.britishmuseum.org\/blog\/dothraki-and-scythians-game-clones\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> the Dothraki<\/a>, a feared and ferocious warrior culture in the <em>Game of Thrones<\/em>. It features a crescent moon-shaped blade and an extended handle, making it half-sickle and half-sword. Warrior Daario Naharis of the Second Sons also wielded this weapon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Arakh, as depicted in the show, shares similarities with the ancient Egyptian <em>khopesh<\/em> of the Bronze Age. During Egypt\u2019s New Kingdom period, the <em>khopesh<\/em> was a typical military weapon used for slashing in close-quarters combat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-anduril-sword-from-the-lord-of-the-rings\">5. Anduril Sword from <em>The Lord of the Rings<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" data-src=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Anduril-Sword-from-The-Lord-of-the-Rings.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-105361 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Anduril-Sword-from-The-Lord-of-the-Rings.jpg 600w, https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Anduril-Sword-from-The-Lord-of-the-Rings-110x110.jpg 110w, https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Anduril-Sword-from-The-Lord-of-the-Rings-70x70.jpg 70w, https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Anduril-Sword-from-The-Lord-of-the-Rings-508x508.jpg 508w, https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Anduril-Sword-from-The-Lord-of-the-Rings-234x234.jpg 234w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/600;\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>In the novel and film series <em>The Lord of the Rings<\/em>, Anduril was the sword of Aragorn II, who later became King Elessar Telcontar. The name <em>Anduril<\/em> translates as <em>Flame of the West<\/em>. In the story, Anduril was reforged from the shards of Narsil sword previously wielded by Isildur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the film, Anduril is portrayed as a longsword featuring a cruciform hilt. Historically, the longsword is most closely associated with medieval knights, who wielded it both on the battlefield and in duels. It was light enough to be used single-handedly, yet its extended grip allowed the use of both hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"6-the-hobbit-swords\">6. <em>The Hobbit<\/em> Swords<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In <em>The Hobbit<\/em>, a prequel to <em>The Lord of the Rings<\/em>, several magical swords draw inspiration from ancient, medieval, and Renaissance designs while incorporating imaginative, non-historical elements. Among the most popular are Gandalf\u2019s Glamdring and Bilbo\u2019s Sting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Glamdring<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"335\" data-src=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Glamdring-sword.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-105366 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Glamdring-sword.jpg 900w, https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Glamdring-sword-740x275.jpg 740w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 900px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 900\/335;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Glamdring, also known as the Foe-hammer and the Beater, is the legendary sword wielded by the wizard Gandalf. In the films, Gandalf used his Glamdring sword to complement his staff, fighting with both weapons at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Glamdring is depicted as a bastard sword with a hand-and-a-half grip, inscribed with runes, and a jeweled hilt. Throughout history, many swords bore talismanic inscriptions or symbols on their hilts or blades, designed to protect the wielder. Such practices can be seen on Islamic swords, medieval European swords, Japanese swords featuring <em>horimono<\/em> carvings, and even Chinese swords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"271\" data-src=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Sting-Sword.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-105373 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Sting-Sword.jpg 900w, https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Sting-Sword-740x223.jpg 740w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 900px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 900\/271;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Sting is a short sword wielded by Bilbo Baggins and was later passed to his heir, Frodo Baggins. It is a magical sword that glows blue when it senses danger, especially when goblins or <em>orcs<\/em> are nearby. Originally, the concept for Sting drew inspiration from a 16th-century Swiss Holbein dagger, favored among the upper classes of society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As portrayed in the films, Sting has a leaf-shaped blade similar to the historical Greek <em>xiphos<\/em> sword used by hoplites and Spartans. Historically, the <em>xiphos<\/em> served as the secondary weapon for Greek warriors in close-quarters combat. It was also the typical sword of both Classical and Hellenistic Greece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sting is also comparable to a specific type of Roman <em>gladius<\/em> short sword\u2014the Mainz type\u2014characterized by its classic waisted form. The Romans used the Mainz <em>gladius<\/em> during Augustus\u2019 expansive territorial campaigns. The Celtic long sword, the Mindelheim type, also featured a leaf-shaped blade. However, Sting has a cruciform hilt reminiscent of medieval swords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"7-the-witcher-steel-sword\">7. <em>The Witcher<\/em> Steel Sword<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"210\" data-src=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The-Witcher-Steel-Sword.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-105374 lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/210;width:840px;height:auto\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In television series <em>The Witcher<\/em>, the monster-hunter Geralt of Rivia wields a steel sword designed to dispatch both men and monsters. In the story, this sword is crafted from meteorite, making it more durable than traditional steel. Notably, Renfi\u2019s brooch adorns the hilt to remind Geralt to avoid entanglements in the affairs of men because they often lead to their own personal pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>The Witcher<\/em>\u2019s steel sword clearly draws inspiration from medieval longswords. However, actor Henry Cavill, who portrayed Geralt of Rivia, revealed that he asked to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=HnvSLMbctL4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">redesign the sword\u2019s hilt<\/a>. Instead of a typical cruciform hilt, he favored forward-angled <em>quillons<\/em> (the arms of the crossguard) to enable him to flick it through his wrist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"8-hattori-hanzo-sword\">8. Hattori Hanzo Sword<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"347\" data-src=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Hattori-Hanzo-Sword.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-105367 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Hattori-Hanzo-Sword.jpg 900w, https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Hattori-Hanzo-Sword-740x285.jpg 740w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 900px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 900\/347;\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In the <em>Kill Bill<\/em> film series, the Hattori Hanzo sword served as the deadly weapon of the Bride, later known as Beatrix Kiddo (played by Uma Thurman). It draws inspiration from the katana sword wielded by the samurai warriors of feudal Japan and features distinctive elements adapted to the film. Notably, its blade features a foo dog carving, the mark of the master swordsmith Hattori Hanzo, who forged the sword.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, historical Hattori Hanzo was not a swordsmith but rather a ninja or a samurai. Additionally, the name <em>Hattori<\/em> served as a family name, while <em>Hanzo<\/em> was a title or position given to the head of the Hattori family of Iga province in Japan, as each successor inherited the role from his predecessor. In this context, <em>Hattori Hanzo<\/em> simply means <em>Head of the Hattori Family<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Several individuals had the name Hattori Hanzo, spanning generations from grandfather to grandson. Some historians believe that the first Hattori Hanzo, also known as Hattori Yasunaga, was a ninja leader of the family. However, his sons and grandsons served as samurai during the Sengoku and early Edo periods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"9-sakabato-from-rurouni-kenshin\">9. <em>Sakabato <\/em>from <em>Rurouni Kenshin<\/em>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Kenshin Takes on Enemy Territory Alone \u2694\ufe0f | Rurouni Kenshin: The Final | Netflix\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/c5C_LDho10U?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The <em>sakabato<\/em> is the reverse-edged katana popularized by the manga and anime series <em>Rurouni Kenshin<\/em> (also known as <em>Samurai X<\/em>), which was later adapted into a film series. Unlike the historical katana, the fictional <em>sakabato<\/em> has a blunt edge on the outward curve of the blade facing the opponent and a cutting edge on the inward curve facing the wielder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The idea behind a reverse-edged katana is to incapacitate enemies without killing them. In the story, the protagonist, Himura Kenshin, is a former assassin who has sworn off killing. Master swordsmith Arai Shakku forged the <em>sakabato<\/em> to honor the peacetime that the Meiji era would bring.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"601\" data-src=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Real-life-Rurouni-Kenshin-reverse-blade-katana.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-105372 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Real-life-Rurouni-Kenshin-reverse-blade-katana.jpg 900w, https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Real-life-Rurouni-Kenshin-reverse-blade-katana-740x494.jpg 740w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 900px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 900\/601;\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>While the <em>sakabato<\/em> or reverse-edged katana is fictional, <a href=\"https:\/\/soranews24.com\/2019\/08\/07\/real-life-rurouni-kenshin-reverse-blade-katana-forged-by-master-swordsmith-now-on-display%E3%80%90pics%E3%80%91\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">swordsmith Kanekuni Ogawa<\/a> created the first real-life version of the sword. Similar to traditional Japanese swords, this real-life version features a genuine <em>hamon<\/em>, or temperline pattern, though it appears on the cutting edge of the inward blade curve. Also, the fictional Arai Shakku&#8217;s death poem is inscribed on the sword\u2019s tang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"10-zatoichis-sword-cane\">10.&nbsp;Zatoichi\u2019s Sword Cane<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"794\" height=\"600\" data-src=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Zatoichis-Sword-Cane.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-105375 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Zatoichis-Sword-Cane.jpg 794w, https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Zatoichis-Sword-Cane-740x559.jpg 740w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 794px) 100vw, 794px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 794px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 794\/600;\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>In Japanese films, Zatoichi is a blind swordsman who wields a sword cane to protect the innocent and fight injustice. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.columbia.edu\/~lnp3\/mydocs\/culture\/zatoichi.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The name <em>Zatoichi<\/em><\/a> is derived from <em>Zato-No-Ichi<\/em>, meaning <em>Ichi the Masseur<\/em>. In feudal Japan, blind people often served as masseurs, yet Zatoichi\u2019s combat skills enabled him to rise above the class restraints of Japanese society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Zatoichi\u2019s sword cane draws inspiration from the <em>shikomizue<\/em>, a Japanese sword mounting that disguises a concealed blade within an ordinary wooden walking stick. The <em>shikomizue<\/em> gained popularity towards the end of the Edo period and in the early Meiji period, as the ban on wearing swords in public created a demand for concealed weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the term <em>shikomizue<\/em> may also refer to concealed daggers, spearheads, hooks, chains, arrows, climbing aids, and even poison disguised as walking sticks or staffs. The <em>shikomizue<\/em> was popular among ninjas, assassins, and other criminals. In fact, the <em>shikomizue<\/em> is a variety of <em>shinobi-zue<\/em> weapons used by ninjas.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"accordion accordion-sources article-slide \"><div class=\"faq-item accordion__item\"><h5 class=\"faq-item__heading accordion__handler\">Sources Cited<span class=\"faq-item__opener faq-item__opener--dark\"><\/span><\/h5><div class=\"faq-item__content accordion__slide content-area\"><ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(2004, July 28). &#8220;The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi&#8221;. Retrieved August 18, 2023, from <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.columbia.edu\/~lnp3\/mydocs\/culture\/zatoichi.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">http:\/\/www.columbia.edu\/~lnp3\/mydocs\/culture\/zatoichi.htm<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baseel, C. (2019, August 7). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Real-life Rurouni Kenshin reverse-blade katana, forged by master swordsmith, now on display\u3010Pics\u3011<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. SoraNews24. Retrieved August 18, 2023, from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/soranews24.com\/2019\/08\/07\/real-life-rurouni-kenshin-reverse-blade-katana-forged-by-master-swordsmith-now-on-display%E3%80%90pics%E3%80%91\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/soranews24.com\/2019\/08\/07\/real-life-rurouni-kenshin-reverse-blade-katana-forged-by-master-swordsmith-now-on-display%E3%80%90pics%E3%80%91\/<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blanchard, M. (2019, February 25). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See the &#8216;Create For the Throne&#8217; Honor Collection \u2014 Making Game of Thrones<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Making Game of Thrones. Retrieved August 18, 2023, from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.makinggameofthrones.com\/production-diary\/artists-create-for-the-throne-honor-collection\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.makinggameofthrones.com\/production-diary\/artists-create-for-the-throne-honor-collection<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blanchard, M. (2019, February 25). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See the &#8216;Create For the Throne&#8217; Honor Collection \u2014 Making Game of Thrones<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Making Game of Thrones. Retrieved August 18, 2023, from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.makinggameofthrones.com\/production-diary\/artists-create-for-the-throne-honor-collection\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.makinggameofthrones.com\/production-diary\/artists-create-for-the-throne-honor-collection<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Campbell, S. (1999). <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=BlT-x4vqaC4C&amp;dq=Exotic+Weapons+of+the+Ninja&amp;hl=en&amp;newbks=1&amp;newbks_redir=1&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi-qunL2pyLAxVmn68BHYX5AFUQ6AF6BAgGEAM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exotic Weapons of the Ninja<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Carol Publishing Group.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cummins, A. (2010). <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=93n9RAAACAAJ&amp;dq=Hattori+Hanzo&amp;hl=en&amp;newbks=1&amp;newbks_redir=1&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjlzJLS2pyLAxW9hK8BHernO5EQ6AF6BAgHEAM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hattori Hanzo<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. BERTRAMS PRINT ON DEMAND.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cummins, A., &amp; Minami, Y. (Eds.). (2012). <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=CHBaNxFNQrEC&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=The+Secret+Traditions+of+the+Shinobi:+Hattori+Hanzo%27s+Shinobi+Hiden+and+Other+Ninja+Scrolls+(A.+Cummins+%26+Y.+Minami,+Trans.)&amp;hl=en&amp;newbks=1&amp;newbks_redir=1&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjjse_c2pyLAxXObPUHHUpYAOwQ6AF6BAgIEAM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Secret Traditions of the Shinobi: Hattori Hanzo&#8217;s Shinobi Hiden and Other Ninja Scrolls<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (A. Cummins &amp; Y. Minami, Trans.)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. North Atlantic Books.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Designing the Lightsaber &#8211; Star Wars: Discoveries From The Inside<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (n.d.). StarWars.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023, from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.starwars.com\/video\/designing-the-light-saber-star-wars-discoveries-from-the-inside\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.starwars.com\/video\/designing-the-light-saber-star-wars-discoveries-from-the-inside<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Game of Thrones Ep 4: Oathkeeper | Official Website for the HBO Series<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (n.d.). HBO. Retrieved August 18, 2023, from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hbo.com\/game-of-thrones\/season-4\/4-oathkeeper\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.hbo.com\/game-of-thrones\/season-4\/4-oathkeeper<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Haynes, S. (2020, September 4). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is Mulan Based on a True Story? Here&#8217;s the Real History<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Time. Retrieved August 18, 2023, from<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/time.com\/5881064\/mulan-real-history\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> https:\/\/time.com\/5881064\/mulan-real-history\/<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hidalgo, P. (2015). <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=TZ_GDwAAQBAJ&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=Star+Wars,+the+Force+Awakens:+The+Visual+Dictionary&amp;hl=en&amp;newbks=1&amp;newbks_redir=1&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiO-ejm2pyLAxV2ia8BHWk4MBAQ6AF6BAgKEAM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Star Wars, the Force Awakens: The Visual Dictionary<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. DK\/Penguin Random House.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Koch, J. (2006). <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com.ph\/books?id=vSIZAQAAIAAJ&amp;q=Celtic+Culture:+Celtomania-Fulup,+Marc%27harid&amp;dq=Celtic+Culture:+Celtomania-Fulup,+Marc%27harid&amp;hl=en&amp;newbks=1&amp;newbks_redir=1&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiHxOv72pyLAxUdk68BHcfeO2wQ6AF6BAgGEAM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Celtic Culture: Celtomania-Fulup, Marc&#8217;harid<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. ABC-CLIO.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Martin, G. R. (n.d.). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swords in &#8220;Game of Thrones&#8221;<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Royal Armouries. 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Kodansha International.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monaghan, P. (2008). <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=nd9R6GQBB_0C&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=The+Encyclopedia+of+Celtic+Mythology+and+Folklore&amp;hl=en&amp;newbks=1&amp;newbks_redir=1&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiwmLCq25yLAxUSiK8BHdCqFdsQ6AF6BAgFEAM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Checkmark Books.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mulan: Armour &amp; weapons, on mass | W\u0113t\u0101 Workshop<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (2020, December 4). Weta Workshop. Retrieved August 18, 2023, from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wetaworkshop.com\/projects-in-depth\/mulan-armour-and-weapons\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.wetaworkshop.com\/projects-in-depth\/mulan-armour-and-weapons\/<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oakeshott, E. (2012). <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=NkD86JPgCS4C&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=European+Weapons+and+Armour:+From+the+Renaissance+to+the+Industrial+Revolution&amp;hl=en&amp;newbks=1&amp;newbks_redir=1&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiQl9uz25yLAxW7dvUHHQxwINIQ6AF6BAgFEAM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">European Weapons and Armour: From the Renaissance to the Industrial Revolution<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Boydell Press.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Orf, D. (2019, August 27). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Star Wars Lightsaber History | How the Lightsaber Has Evolved<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Popular Mechanics. Retrieved August 18, 2023, from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.popularmechanics.com\/culture\/movies\/a28833398\/new-lightsaber-rey-rise-of-skywalker\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.popularmechanics.com\/culture\/movies\/a28833398\/new-lightsaber-rey-rise-of-skywalker\/<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Peterson, A. (2014, November 28). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Master bladesmith: New lightsaber design is a terrible idea<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Washington Post. 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StarWars.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023, from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.starwars.com\/news\/star-wars-inside-intel-lightsabers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.starwars.com\/news\/star-wars-inside-intel-lightsabers<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sibley, B. (2012). <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=e5srNGZN70wC&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=The+Hobbit:+An+Unexpected+Journey+:+Official+Movie+Guide&amp;hl=en&amp;newbks=1&amp;newbks_redir=1&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi86b7C25yLAxW4iK8BHSRWACgQ6AF6BAgJEAM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey : Official Movie Guide<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Star Wars Featurette: The Birth of the Lightsaber &#8211; A New Hope (Episode IV)<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (n.d.). StarWars.com. Retrieved August 18, 2023, from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.starwars.com\/video\/star-wars-featurette-the-birth-of-the-lightsaber\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.starwars.com\/video\/star-wars-featurette-the-birth-of-the-lightsaber<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sword &#8211; &#8216;Pillow&#8217; sword (1631-1670) &#8211; Royal Armouries collections<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (n.d.). Royal Armouries Collections. Retrieved August 18, 2023, from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/collections.royalarmouries.org\/object\/rac-object-193.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/collections.royalarmouries.org\/object\/rac-object-193.html<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swords of &#8216;Middle Earth&#8217;<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (n.d.). Royal Armouries. Retrieved August 18, 2023, from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/royalarmouries.org\/stories\/popular-culture\/swords-of-middle-earth\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/royalarmouries.org\/stories\/popular-culture\/swords-of-middle-earth\/<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Trenholm, R. (2018, June 16). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Game of Thrones unsheathed: Meet the woman behind the swords<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. CNET. Retrieved August 18, 2023, from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/culture\/entertainment\/game-of-thrones-unsheathed-meet-the-woman-behind-the-swords\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.cnet.com\/culture\/entertainment\/game-of-thrones-unsheathed-meet-the-woman-behind-the-swords\/<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?id=9WdYAAAAYAAJ&amp;q=Weapon:+A+Visual+History+of+Arms+and+Armor&amp;dq=Weapon:+A+Visual+History+of+Arms+and+Armor&amp;hl=en&amp;newbks=1&amp;newbks_redir=1&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiKp5_M25yLAxXuZ_UHHbkJCzAQ6AF6BAgHEAM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (2010). DK Pub.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zhibeidao with spectacular blade<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (n.d.). Mandarin Mansion. Retrieved August 18, 2023, from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mandarinmansion.com\/item\/zhibeidao-spectacular-blade\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/www.mandarinmansion.com\/item\/zhibeidao-spectacular-blade<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From the glowing blade of a hero destined to save the world to the menacing weapon of a dark overlord, fantasy swords have carved their place in our imagination. These iconic weapons don\u2019t just slice through enemies\u2014they carry rich stories of power, legacy, and magic. While many designers draw inspiration from historical swords, the fantastical&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":105376,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":{"2":"type-post","6":"hentry"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105263","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=105263"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105263\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":105381,"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/105263\/revisions\/105381"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/105376"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=105263"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=105263"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swordis.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=105263"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}