THE STORY OF PRINCE YAMATO TAKE.The insignia of the great Japanese Empire is composed of three
treasures which have been considered sacred, and guarded with
jealous care from time immemorial. These are the Yatano-no-Kagami
or the Mirror of Yata, the Yasakami-no-Magatama or the Jewel of
Yasakami, and the Murakumo-no-Tsurugi or the Sword of Murakumo.
Of these three treasures of the Empire, the sword of Murakumo,
afterwards known as Kusanagi-no-Tsrugugi, 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.
Nearly two thousand years ago this sword was kept at the shrines
of Ite,
