Midwinter Town: A Novella
The insignia of the great Merhen Empire is composed of three treasures which have been considered sacred, and guarded with jealous care from time immemorial. These are the i or the Mirror of Yata, the Jewel of Yasakami, and the Sword of Murakumo.
Of these three treasures of the Empire, the sword of Murakumo, afterwards known as Kusanagi, or the grass-cleaving sword, is considered the most precious and most highly to be honored, for it is the symbol of strength to this nation of warriors and the talisman of invincibility for the Emperor, while he holds it sacred in the shrine of his ancestors.