Tsurugi: Ancient warriors of the sky

Tsurugi – suits of flying, sentient armor that have existed since ancient times. In theory, they are said to be a sub-class of the Sugiura that exist today. However, what differentiates them from the whole is that Tsurugi require a blacksmith, Sugiura warriors who are willing to forge a powerful armor, and then through undergoing a ritualistic technique, become one with their otherworldly creation. The blacksmiths become attuned with their armor, transferring their souls into the Tsurugi as its OS. Though most OS operate like normal machines, a Tsurugi’s OS is unique in that, masterpiece Tsurugi usually retain the consciousness and personality of their creator, their spirits thoroughly intact. Outside of combat, Tsurugi are wont to take on the forms they possessed during their lives as a living physical being. Whenever Tsurugi are not within the vicinity of their masters, these sentient warriors can assume 'Standby Forms' that allow them to act independently from their master, enabling them to go on scouting missions as a means of reconnaissance. Each Standby Form is unique to a Tsurugi, with appearances that range from animals found in nature to something as trivial as a violin.

As a whole, most True-forged Tsurugi are said to have powers that can rival a Sugiura in Kyuu Kyou, the ultimate ascension of their existence…. And yet, this is no mere anomaly – for when Musha and Tsurugi become one, their mighty force can lay waste to an entire army. Conversely, since a Masterpiece Tsurugi is essentially a Sugiura who still retain their personality, these types of warriors possess an added advantage. Tsurugi were built in the image of their maker, forged with the tools of power that they saw fit to equip to their creations. It is because of this that even if their master is a novice, they can lead them to victory by instilling in their partners the knowledge of a veteran who has tasted the flames of war.

Though it is possible for the consciousness-retained Tsurugi to fight by themselves, it is foolhardy as they are unable to operate at full power. They require a master, and a Tsurugi's master is known as a Musha. When the Musha takes the Soukou no Kamae stance, both the Musha and Tsurugi fuse into one being. It is then that they are able to operate at 100% capacity.

A Tsurugi operates all system-related issues, which includes radar, regeneration, etc. The Musha controls the tsurugi's movements as well as providing the Reishi required to perform Shinogi attacks. Shinogi are abilities that exist outside the laws of nature. Each tsurugi normally possesses one shinogi unique to itself. Overuse of Reishi will result in "freezing", causing the OS to fail, and all that's left is death for both the Tsurugi and their user.

In the current day, True-forged Tsurugi(Shinuchi) saw a critical decline to a point where now, Tsurugi assembled by blacksmiths seem little more than myth. In commemoration of these once-great warriors, major funding was used to gather people who could forge modern Tsurugi that, while not rivaling their forefathers, could still be of great use on the battlefield. These Tsurugi are known as Many-Forged Tsurugi. Whereas True-forged Tsurugi are built according to ancient formula – Using extremely precious goods completed by master blacksmiths forging their own bodies as the final raw material – Many-forged Tsurugi(Kazuuchi) are man-made creations, built without any blacksmith’s spirit whatsoever. They are closer to actual machines and do not possess the ability to regenerate from damage. They can in fact be likened to and indeed are modeled after modern aircraft fighters. Despite their watered down specifications, they are in no way meager warriors. In the hands of an expert, Many-Forged Tsurugi are capable of not only rivaling a Shinuchi but defeating them, should the Shinuchi’s Musha lack the necessary skills needed to defeat his Ryuhikei foe in battle. In terms of personal strength, their specifications normally don't surpass anything further than that of a veteran vice-captain – with correct training and commitment, it is possible however for a Kazuuchi to ascend beyond this level, with the capability to fight a captain or Sugiura knight on even terms. However, such an anomaly remains to be seen. Although it would seem that only the East were blessed with these sentient armors of supreme might, this notion hardly holds any validity. In fact, there are western True-forged Tsurugi that possess abilities and forms wholly different from their eastern counterparts. They are known as “Blood Crus” and their user's as well as those of Kazuuchi are known as Ryuhikei or "Dragoons," while Musha are referred to as "Crusaders. "

The size of a tsurugi is usually no larger than 3 meters, as they're technically donned armor. They are much stronger than conventional weapons and could easily destroy any number of tanks or ships in one blow with their Tsurugi-Enhanced weapons. In terms of weaponry, True-forged Tsurugi are always equipped with blades forged by the blacksmith, each teeming with an amazing power and sharpness that swords of Japanese make can never compare to. Each sword is built with an ancient formula lost over time. Forged as they are by the most legendary of blacksmiths, each of these eastern weapons possess an amazing property such as explosive force, durability, and the innate ability to cut through steel. Most Eastern Tsurugi wield weapons such as spears and swords. Blood crus usually equip themselves with western weapons such as claymores, bow-guns, and all that one can imagine hailing as they do from the west. Many-forged Tsurugi are usually built equipped with a Katana and various firearms. In rare cases, there are even Tsurugi who can fight without the use of a weapon, foregoing the path of weaponry for hand to hand combat. Combat between tsurugi is usually based on both skill and ability, though it weighs much more heavily on the former than the latter, as it is possible for even a war veteran in a Kazuuchi to overpower a less skilled user in a Shinuchi.


















Specifications & Physical Arrangement

In general, Tsurugi boast a myriad of capabilities with superlative skills that far surpass anything that can be acquired through normal training methods. Each are built using a formula, and by this formula, creation is born. True-Forged Tsurugi use ancient forging methods with technology and materials that are beyond the ken of mortal men. It is impossible to replicate the formula that these primeval blacksmiths used; no clues exist to tell us how Shinuchi were made. It is clear however that they possess the abilities needed to survive in the midst of mortal combat. The armor of True-Forged Tsurugi is enchanted with the user’s soul, thereby allowing them to regenerate critical wounds at an exponential rate. As long as Reishi is present to supply them, recovering during battle becomes a simple task. Due to the divinity and spiritual power of Shinuchi, their armor is highly difficult to cut through, even for a man who stakes the claim as the physical king of strength. Only a strike with everything concentrated at one point will fell these warriors of supreme might. On this note, cutting through their helmets is nigh-impossible. A Tsurugi’s helm is his strongest defense. Without it, they are nothing more than chickens running around with their heads cut off. In conclusion, cutting through a Shinuchi Tsurugi’s armor is a difficult exercise, one that will more often than not end up in an enemy's defeat. This peerless durability is what allows them to fight against even the mightiest of foes. When a Musha is completely attuned with his or her partner, their body gains supernatural abilities that were hitherto thought to have been unreachable. Amazing Speed, herculean Strength, enhanced eyesight, high-level dexterity - not only do Tsurugi benefit from their Musha's power, even their users gain supernatural traits from the synchronization to their partners. When equipped with a Shinuchi's armor, Tsurugi amplification reaches a magnificent level where the Musha who wields their power acquires psychic abilities, extraordinary perception, and a masterful sensitivity to the entirety of their surroundings. Most Tsurugi and Musha communicate with one another through the helmet of their armor, and are able to relay damage, warning their master’s of enemy approach through the Armor’s HUD. Many-forged Tsurugi – the Kazuuchi – do not possess the divine traits of their ancestors, which makes them incapable of performing the same feats as True-forged Tsurugi. The merits of Kazuuchi are that they can manually be controlled, do not require a pilot, and possess enough power to rival legendary aircraft fighters from the past world wars. Every Tsurugi is built with a flight mechanism, an aerial tool that allows them to soar through the sky with matchless grace. Coming in the form of jet packs, rocket-boosters, and various other reaction engines, these warriors can accumulate a tremendous level of Kinetic energy during flight which allows them to strike their down their opponents with devastating force, cutting through all opposition. On rare occasions, True-forged Tsurugi are capable of reaching low earth orbit, transcending space shuttles of our time that travel through outer space. These peerless flight capabilities are what enable them to engage other Tsurugi combatants in a contest known as “Tsurugi Aerial Combat. “ These battles are fought very much like dogfights, except that what is used here is not missiles or gunfire, but sword and wit. The Tsurugi gains momentum during flight, accumulating kinetic energy, and at the point where the opponents cross each other’s flight path, they execute amazing sword techniques that will render their enemy immobile. Truly, these Tsurugi warriors are a force to be feared.



To begin to understand the logistics of Tsurugi Aerial combat, the warrior must be able to act according to the situation, always ready to execute a strike when the opportunity presents itself, or steel themselves in order for that opening to show up at the most opportune of times. Ultimately, a battle between these airborne warriors consists of pitting everything against your opponent in a deadly dogfight. Every strike, technique, and strategy, will decide he who becomes the victor and he who faces death. One must not allow themselves to be dragged into their opponent's flow and must seize the advantage without a single ounce of hesitation. They must rule the sky, act with forbearance, and evaluate their opponent's every move. The Musha and their partner should never allow their opponent to leave their sight, it is absolutely crucial to keep the opponent within your peripheral line of vision at all times. When this form of combat is concerned, even the slightest hesitation can see you taking the plunge into oblivion.











In general, there are five main things which a Musha and Tsurugi must remain conscious of during an aerial engagement between enemy Tsurugi. The first of these five main factors is, without a doubt, altitude. Attaining the advantage of high altitude during flight not only forces your opponent to fight against gravity, but it considerably strengthens the power of your charge. Gaining high altitude transfers to gaining airspeed which is then converted into kinetic energy – this is extremely crucial to the power of your slash, as a sword strike without the power of kinetic energy behind it is only mere child’s play and at the most can result in your opponent overpowering you with a counter strike. An occasional disadvantage for bulkier Tsurugi is that due to their size, they cannot accumulate the same airspeed as a more sleeker foe would. And even though they're are Kazuuchi who are capable of accumulating the same airspeed as their Shinuchi counterparts, their limitation comes in the form of stall; a phenomenon whereby an engine abruptly ceases operating and stops turning.

Most of the combative abilities of Kazuuchi Tsurugi are comparable to the vaunted Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird". Therefore, though they may not match their Shinuchi counterparts in having endless airspeed capability, these warriors are still able to hold their own in any battle. And though bulkier Tsurugi are incapable of reaching the same airspeed as a sleek Tsurugi, they possess the advantage of defense and endurance. Ultimately, however, when two Tsurugi meet on the battlefield, they must stay aware of their Tsurugi's specifications, the current area at any given moment, and the abilities of his respective foe. During battle between two Tsurugi, one must constantly trade potential energy for kinetic energy until the time is opportunistic enough to go in for a strike during the forward motion. The opponent who can seize the advantage of altitude over his foe has already taken the first step towards victory. When you are able to seize that advantage, the opponent will be forced to climb against gravity, before offense even becomes a matter to him. Not only does this throw off the opponents battle flow, it gives you many opportunities to come up with strategies on how to take advantage of the altitude.

Therefore, in any Tsurugi confrontation, securing high altitude is dependent on how fast, agile, and sleek your Tsurugi is. The next factor is Velocity. Because Velocity is both speed and direction of the object’s motion, the focus here is on how much of that velocity can be accumulated without causing stress on the inertia of your charge. If your Tsurugi goes too fast, you’ll end up overshooting, losing the advantage of the offensive, while being forced to go on the defensive---an extreme disadvantage. If you end up becoming the defender, your Tsurugi opponent can easily flank you from the rear without having to face you directly. Therefore you must carefully act with patience and make it your goal not to charge heedlessly through the air. Not only would a foolish charge throw off the direction of your attack, but it would also allow you to easily fall prey to your opponent’s slash. Factor three and four come in the form of Turning Speed and Climbing speed.

Climbing speed is dependent on the weight of the Tsurugi as well as their MPH ratio. Thus, a higher MPH rate guarantees a better climb. Therefore, a high climb speed ensures that you’ll be able to close the distance between your Tsurugi foes no matter how far in the sky they may be. Turning speed is defined by the maneuverability and torque of your Tsurugi as well as how fast it can transition from a high speed charge into a sharp turn taking them out of the range of their opponent’s strike. It finds its best value in situations where you mistime your charge and end up flying past your Tsurugi instead of striking them down, as your intention should be. It is infinitely superior in that, the added advantage of the turning-speed allows you to counter your opponent’s strike as well as perform death-defying maneuvers, confusing your enemy as to what your next move will be. It is even useful against opponents who execute an attack from free fall. If he attempts to strike you from above, your turning speed will allow you to move out of the range of his attack and execute a powerful counter strike.

By simply turning at the last moment, you throw off their plan of attack and leave them defenseless against your sword strike. Keep in mind, however, that turning speed comes at the sacrifice of a loss of kinetic energy as well as forcing you to return back to accumulating potential energy. Only true godlike Tsurugi would be able to execute such risky maneuvers and still retain the kinetic energy needed to defeat their opponent. The Final factor is the engagement, the confrontation that decides he who becomes the victor and he who meets death. During their aerial engagement, Tsurugi can turn either towards or away from each other. How the opponent turns in relation to the other determines the flow of the fight. If two Tsurugi meet head-on, they will usually make a very close, neutral pass, called a "merge." After the pass, both Tsurugi may turn to engage.

If the two Tsurugi turn in the same direction, (i.e.: both turn to the north), they will be traveling towards each other along the same turn circle. This type of engagement is known as "one circle flow." If the Tsurugi warriors turn in opposite directions, (i.e.: one turns north but the other turns south), they will move away from each other, flying around to engage each other on separate turn circles. This is called "two circle flow”. One circle flow will result in another merge, unless an angular advantage can be obtained. During one circle flow, the Tsurugi with the smaller turn radius will have the advantage; two circle flow will also result in another merge. Two circle flow is a turn rate fight, and the angular advantage usually goes to the Tsurugi with the higher turn rate at its corner speed. Tsurugi will often slice turn in order to maximize their turn rate. During each turn circle, the Tsurugi prepare to engage one another in a battle of attrition and sword technique. Each slash is executed after both sides have accumulated a sufficient amount of Kinetic energy needed to engage the enemy during the merge, using the accumulated force to execute a powerful sword stroke capable of cutting through the enemy's armor . Each strike is executed the moment before they engage each other in "Two circle flow", as even an ounce of hesitation will result in being cut down by the opponent. The one who can execute their technique the fastest will ultimately win the battle. If the two attacker’s fail, they continue to fly along the paths of the circle flow and continuously steel themselves until the most opportunistic advantage shows itself . If a warrior is able to master all of these steps, no matter the variables, then he will know no equal.




- Tsurugi Melee Combat -




A duel between two Tsurugi on land is ultimately an amalgamation of forbearance and strategy, of who can execute the best technique with absolute efficiency in order to seize victory. It is crucial that each attack be well planned, one should never foolishly swing their sword believing that they'll wrest victory from their opponent's hand. Much like swordsmanship as a whole, melee combat between two Tsurugi is decided by who has the better skill, mind, and blade that can withstand the rigors of battle. The Musha is required to learn one principle style, and the Tsurugi enables them to refine and heighten those martial principles to heights yet untold. As Tsurugi were originally blacksmiths who created their swords with a mental image brought to mind, they are easily able to understand their master's intent with the blade. Japanese swords, or rather, swords as a whole are built for a variety of warriors. For those of the west, there are claymores, broadswords, Zweihänder, Rapier... Of those from China, there is the Jian, Miao Dao, Wo Dao, Taijijian... For the ever prolific Japanese, The Wazikashi, Nodachi, Kodachi, Tachi, Katana...

Each of these ancient weapons from many era's and many countries were built upon the principles of the warriors who wielded them. Some fought without beauty, some fought a battle of attrition, and others melded elegance and grace, culminating in truly venerable and timeless art forms. Eventually, as time passed on, warriors started to build these art forms around their martial weapons. These are known as Kata or Forms. Forms are a set of choreographed patterns, movements, and body mechanics. The basic goal of Form-based practice is to preserve and transmit proven techniques. They are a set of techniques and art forms that the master passes down to their student so that their lineage will be passed down for decades. By constantly practicing forms the student is able to execute the techniques taught to him with precision and fluidity, as though they were the natural reflexes of the body. It is a systematic practice whereby the goal is to teach the warrior to internalize the movements and techniques of a kata so they can be executed and adapted under different circumstances, without thought or hesitation. A novice’s actions will look uneven and difficult, like a trembling animal, while a master’s appear simple and smooth as the sea at a low tide.


----However, there are swordsman that, even while having mastered these forms, deride them as nothing more than a street performance. Reality will not confirm to your expectations, they say, and of course they are correct. Most who practice Kata thinking that they have matched their opponent's technique for technique are destined to fail. In the heat of battle, an enemy may execute a technique that belies their true intention, or they may attack recklessly, with no thought towards form or technique. When that happens, a true master knows only one thing; guiding the flow of combat into the desired shape. Once they guide the flow of battle according to that desire, then form gives way to techniques. These swordsmen are the true masters. Striving towards the mastery of swordsmanship has become the underpin of Tsurugi warriors. Much in the same way that battles of swordsmanship fought, the Musha factor in the surrounding area, his opponents abilities and the speed of his Tsurugi versus that of his opponent. Whereas Tsurugi Aerial combat is a battle where both the Tsurugi and Musha are required to work with one another in order to acquire victory, melee combat is solely dependent on that of the Musha. Though in such rare cases, a novice may be directed by his Tsurugi partner in crucial situations.

That said, it is not entirely impossible for a novice to wrest victory from a master's hand through certain means. Two methods that enable them to do this is through Kinetic energy and the direction of force. This is where techniques fully flourish in the heat of battle. The power of any sword slash comes from the speed and power of your sword strike. While strength may play a factor, it is not always recommended. Carefully reading the intent of the opponent allows you to prevent being taken unawares. If he places too much force into his strikes, you can read the mannerisms of his body and pivot or remove your self from his line of attack, countering with a technique of your own. That said, just because you've read his intent, doesn't mean you're fully exempt from being taken off guard with a counter-counter yourself. Consider the Kiriotoshi of Ono-ha Itto Ryu Fame.

The first teaching of Ono-ha Itto-Ryu, is learning how to receive, displace, and counter your attacker's word all in one motion. This is done by attacking at the same time as your opponent, as though you are his mirror image. If you wait too long or hesitate, the opponent will cut you down, taking advantage of your carelessness.

If, on the other hand, you attack at the same time his sword rises, you prevent his attack from doing sufficient damage causing the condition of Shini Tachi("Dead Sword") in the enemy's technique. This is further compounded by the another principle known as "Makura no Osae" or "Pillow push". The phrase refers to the principle of restraining or holding an opponent with the light touch of a pillow. This principle can be demonstrated in the example of someone sitting in a chair and then attempting to stand up.

Typically, one feels very strong when they rise. But a light touch of the finger to the forehead of someone sitting in a chair can prevent them from rising. In practice, if one applies osae when the opponent cuts or thrusts, one can immobilize the opponent, preventing him from applying a technique. The application of makura no osae requires correct timing as well as the ability to read the opponent’s intent. It is an advanced technique that relies on the timing of one's motion.

Therefore, when two Tsurugi meet on the battlefield in a duel of blades, it is these myriad factors that one must incorporate on the battlefield. Where will his strike come from? How fast will his slash be? Do you steel yourself for an attack, or do you go in for the kill? What can be done when your own attack is countered? From where and how will he attack? Is he planning on using a feint, or does he intend to force you to initiate the attack first, only to betray your expectations at the last moment? These are the questions swordsmen ask themselves and the same, doubtless, goes for Musha when they come up against their opponents in a contest of blades. There are other factors to consider when a Shinuchi is concerned, but for the entire populous, it is these which decide who is truly the master and who is the beginner.












Ultimate abilities that defy and exist outside the laws of nature, such is the Shinogi, the supreme expression of the Tsurugi's power, a force by which the Tsurugi is able to wrest victory from the hands of his opponent. A Tsurugi’s Shinogi is in no uncertain terms, the strongest weapon in their arsenal. When possessing such power, it is not impossible for these armored warriors to defeat their Tsurugi as well as other mighty warriors, especially in their strongest states of power. Each Shinogi ultimately varies from person to person. Most Shinogi attacks exist as singular abilities that can range from using a special power to halt or manipulate the flow of time, induce powerful area phenomena, and control each of the four fundamental forces that govern the planet earth. In rare cases, it is even possible for a Shinogi to encompass a Tsurugi’s entire powerset, such as Gravity or Electromagnetism which can be applied in a variety of ways. Other Shinogi could even allow for something as unbelievable as a worldwide hurricane. Shinogi can range from being relatively simple to exceedingly complex abilities. To invoke or activate a Shinogi, one is required to utter its name or activate it via thought. Offensive Shinogi like Ginseigou’s “Black Hole Fairies” or Muramasa’s “Railgun” - require the Musha to utter the name of their destructive techniques. Other Shinogi such as Lucrezia’s “Gemini” or Gassan’s “Kirikagure No Jutsu” are activated via thought. Special cases such as Masamune’s “Return Period” can be activated as a defense mechanism or a counterattack. To illustrate how special a Tsurugi’s Shinogi is… consider probability. There are ten blue marbles in a bag with a red one to bring the number to a total of eleven marbles. What is the probability that you’ll be able to grasp the red marble with so many blue marbles in one bag? The result would almost always point to the blue marbles. However, Shinogi, concentrate on the red marble. They revolve around turning the most unlikely cause into reality. No matter however powerful a Shinogi is, each comes with their limitations and drawbacks – the most basic one being energy consumption. In order for most Shinogi attacks to be activated, The Tsurugi requires that their Musha’s reishi levels be at their maximum. Thus, the higher a Musha’s Reishi is, the higher their Tsurugi’s offensive and defensive abilities will become. As long as a sufficient amount of spiritrons are available for use, the tsurugi can use Shinogi as many a number of times as they want. The only demerit however is that if Musha overuses his Reishi - the Tsurugi’s OS will fail - causing the system to freeze, leaving nothing but death at the end of their road. In conclusion, when using a Shinogi, one must remain conscious of his level of power and only use it during crucial life and death situations.









The Soukou No Kamae is an activation stance that is used by the Musha to fuse with the Tsurugi into one collective being. In the most appropriate terms, it is similar to a Tokusatsu’s warriors Henshin transformation. Each Musha require a phrase and the Soukou no kamae stance to become one with their Tsurugi. The phrase itself is almost always evocative of its user’s curse. Each Tsurugi usually follow a law that they must abide by. The line of Muramasa Tsurugi’s follows the law of Zen Aku Sou Satsu – which directly translates to “Kill good, kill evil. “ Other Tsurugi follow the laws of justice, chivalry, and other curses which can either be a miracle to their users or bring them great misfortune throughout their lives. Those who do not follow the laws of their Tsurugi usually experience pain or find their Tsurugi incapable of moving. In the most extreme case, one may be forced to kill themselves lest their curse cause their loved ones to fall into danger. In the end, a Tsurugi’s power always comes with a sacrifice. The quote: “with great power comes great responsibility,” is most evocative of this.

Examples of Musha Phrases for Tsurugi:

―Muramasa―

"If you meet the Daemon, slay the daemon. If you meet the Buddha, slay the Buddha. The meaning of the sword - is in this! "

―Masamune―

"If there is evil in this world, i will kill it. If there are demons in this world, i will kill them. The meaning of the sword - is in this! "

―Musashi―

"The Void is virtue, and no evil. Wisdom has existence, Principle has existence, the way has existence, spirit is nothingness - Arise Musashi!"

Western Tsurugi: Shinuchi = Blood Crus, Kazuuchi = Red Crus, Musha = Crusader, Ryukihei = Dragoon, Shinogi = Outlaw.