Masamune

General Information

Information

Chrono Trigger

Used by: Frog Type: Broadsword

Masamune is the name given to a sword forged by Melchior, the Guru of Life, in Zeal around approximately 12,000 B.C. The sword is composed of Melchior's two dreams, Masa and Mune, and the mineral known as Dreamstone. In the Lavos Timeline, the Masamune was finished by the guru and presumably lay untouched until 590 A.D., when a Guardian knight known as Cyrus and his squire, Glenn, located the fabled sword in the Denadoro Mts. Unfortunately, soon after retrieving it, Cyrus was struck down by Magus and his squire was turned into Frog, leaving the sword, in two pieces, to rest another ten years -- though Frog would carry the broken hilt of it with him. In 600 A.D., Crono and his party battle Masa and Mune in the mountains to retrieve the sword in order to slay Magus, as they were currently under the assumption that he created Lavos.

The party successfully received the broken blade portion of the sword, called the Bent Sword. The Bent Hilt was later provided by Frog, and the Masamune was successfully repaired by Melchior after an amount of Dreamstone was procured from Ayla in 65,000,000 B.C. Through the course of Chrono Trigger, the party receives the Masamune's prior form in Zeal, 12,000 B.C., called the Red Knife. It is given to the party by that era's Melchior to stop the Mammon Machine. Upon contact with the device, it transforms into the true Masamune. This raises the question of how the Red Knife came to be the Masamune in the Lavos Timeline prior to Crono's adventure; theories can be found at this entry.

The Masamune received a hefty spiritual upgrade when it was taken to the repaired grave of Cyrus in the Hero's Grave. It can be inferred that once the death of Cyrus is resolved and avenged, the Masamune can reciprocate the positively increased spirit of Frog, as the issue had been weighing on his conscience for ten years running.

Masamune I

Attack: 75
Stat Increase: 42
Effects: Decreases Magus's magic defense; does not cause retaliation

How to obtain: Take the Bent Sword, Bent Hilt, and Dreamstone to Melchior and have either Lucca or Robo help him repair them, then take the sword to Frog in the Middle Ages and have him cut open the Magic Cave.

Masamune II

Attack: 200
Stat Increase: 111
Effects: 200% damage on magic enemies

How to obtain: Complete the Cyrus's Ghost sidequest with Frog in the party, and visit the now-accessable grave of Cyrus.

From: Weapons (Chrono Trigger)

Chrono Cross

Type: Sword

After Chrono Trigger, the Masamune was stolen in the Fall of Guardia and somehow arrived in El Nido. During this period, it is believed that Masa and Mune 'fell asleep' and the sword became demonic. It was found by Radius and Garai possibly in 1005 A.D.; Radius killed Garai with it. It was afterwards buried on the Isle of the Damned, where it was discovered in 1017 A.D. in both dimensions by the Dragoons. Dario took hold of it, and was overcome; Karsh was forced to slay him, though the Dario of Home World survived the attack. The Masamune of Home World was later placed in Death's Door to block entrance into the Dead Sea; its demonic energy was negated by the Einlanzer. Later on, it appeared when Serge visited Dario; after Dario was defeated, Masa and Mune woke up, joined by their sister Doreen. The three merged with Serge's Swallow to become the Mastermune. The Another World Masamune's fate is uncertain, as well as the Masamune's condition in the Ideal Timeline.

From: Weapons (Chrono Cross)

Radical Dreamers

Type: Sword

How it is used: The Masamune is alluded to as the 'demonic brother' of the Einlanzer, giving rise to the belief that both were forged by Melchior simultaneously in the Radical Dreamers Timeline. In various scenarios, Magil is inquired of his knowing the sword's former owner, Frog.

From: Weapons (Radical Dreamers)

Japanese Equivalent

Romaji: Gurandorion
Translation: Grandleon

Name Origin

"Masamune" is Japanese for "Holy Sword." A fable exists in which a swordsmith, Masamune, had to face off against another expert swordsmith. After completing their work, the two thrust their swords into a river. Passing leaves were cut in two by the opposition, while Masamune's sword actually made the leaves float away due to its spiritual power. This is exemplary of the notion of 'fighting without fighting,' seen in Sun Tzu's Art of War and typified in Bruce Lee's film Enter the Dragon.

Media

Images

Masamune Sprite Sheet Demonic Masamune in Death's Door Demonic Masamune

--ZeaLitY 12:21, 9 Jul 2004 (CDT)