Zanbatō

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A zanbatō (斬馬刀, lit. "horse-slaying sword" or "horse-chopping saber"), also spelled zanbatou or zambatou, is an especially large type of fictional Japanese sword used by some characters in anime and video games, most notably Sagara Sanosuke from the anime and manga series Rurouni Kenshin. The weapon consists of a large, wide blade attached to a pole that the wielder holds.

Chinese zhǎn mǎ dāo

There was, however, a Chinese anti-cavalry weapon of the Song Dynasty also written as 斬馬刀 (zhǎn mǎ dāo, "horse-cutting blade" , zhanmadao) which could have been the inspiration for the zanbatō, although it differs in form. Surviving examples include a sword that might resemble a nagamaki in construction; it had a wrapped handle 37 cm long making it easy to grip with two hands. The blade was 114 cm long and very straight with a slight curve in the last half. This somewhat resembles the zanbatō and may have served as an inspiration.

Fictional appearances

The zanbatō is claimed in Rurouni Kenshin to be a historical weapon from the Sengoku Period in Japan, where it was supposedly designed to be used against cavalry, its large size being useful for killing horses and their riders in a single blow. However, there is no historical evidence that the Japanese ever had such a weapon. It would also be impossible that a blade as large as that shown in the anime would be usable by a real person, or even for a handle of the thickness depicted to support its own weight, so if an historical sword called "zanbatō" did exist, its form would almost certainly have been different. Some websites such as [link] offer "zanbatō" for sale that resemble nodachi or ōdachi much more than the anime weapon. The character of Sanosuke is said to have been based on Harada Sanosuke, one of the leaders of the Shinsengumi, who carried a "large spear."
In the Naruto series, ninja Momochi Zabuza wields a Zanbatō. A fellow member of the Seven Shinobi Swordsmen of Mist, Hoshigaki Kisame, also wields a large blade which can be considered a Zanbatō with a unique attack style due to its special shaving properties. It is likely that the other five swordsmen (four in the anime since Kurosuki Raiga was revealed, whose smaller swords are discounted like much in the Naruto filler arcs) will also wield large Zanbatō-like blades.
While unnamed, in the anime Vision of Escaflowne, Van's master Balgus wields a giant blade capable of even destroying giant robot Guymelefs, comparable to the Zanbatō. It is thinner than most presentations of the Zanbatō, but likely closer to the real thing which would not be excessively thick due to weight.
In the anime InuYasha, the same named character's sword Tessaiga grows into an immense version similarly large like a Zanbatō. Bankotsu, an enemy encountered later, wields the Banryū, a great sword referred to as a halberd in the show due to its great size, which Bankotsu wields one-handed.
The Digimon called Zanbamon's name is based on his weapon, the Zanbatō.
The Super Robot Grungust Reishiki from the Super Robot Wars video game series uses a massive double-edged sword named a zankantou (斬艦刀 lit. Ship-cutting Sword). True to its name, the zankantō is effective in dispatching large battleships, but is also invaluable in fighting bosses and robots. Alternately, Grungust Sanshiki wields a giant katana that enlarges into a zankantō when needed.
Ogami Ittō from the Lone Wolf and Cub manga uses Suyoryu's technique called Tsuyoi Zanbato to attack horsemen.
In the game Guilty Gear XX #RELOAD there is an unlockable character called Kliff Undersn who wields a huge sword similar to a Zanbatō.
In the Game Boy Advance Fire Emblem games, the Zanbato is a sword that is especially effective against calvalry.
In the RPG Final Fantasy VII, Cloud Strife's weapon, the buster sword, bears a distinct resemblance to the Zanbatō.
The Aeon Yojimbo in Final Fantasy X uses "Zanmato" if he's paid enough money. The attack kills every enemy in the battle.
In the Soul Calibur series of video games, the zanbatō is said to be the weapon of choice for Seung Mina, though she uses a polearm which more resembles a Guan Dao.
Auron's swords in Final Fantasy X are sizeable enough to be considered zanbatō.
Sword Man, one of the Robot Masters in Mega Man 8, has a massive sword on his arm that resembles a zanbatō. According to the game's manual, the sword was an ancient sword stolen from a museum by Dr. Wily, perhaps trying to tie it to Ancient Japan.
In Final Fantasy Tactics Advance a ninja or assassin can wield a katana called Zanmato, a sword from which assassins can learn Ultima Masher. Described as a "giant sword engraved with words of destruction", it is the outlaw "Killer Rayne"'s trademark weapon.
Nelo Angelo (or Nero Angelo) from Devil May Cry wields a huge zanbatō as his weapon.
Guts from the manga Berserk carries the Dragon Slayer. It should be noted that this character's appearance predates Rurouni Kenshin by several years, and may be the first occurrence of a human using a giant sword in an anime or manga series. Additionaly, the character Zodd from the same series at one point wields a sword that he calls a "zanbatō", although it is much smaller, and resembles a historical ceremonial blade.
The Strike Gundam from the anime and manga Gundam SEED features an option pack called the "Sword Striker" which is also a zankantō in the similar fashion as above. This version is equipped with a beam cutting edge, increasing its cutting power. Its size makes it notably useless.
In the melee game series based on the Three Kingdoms period of China, Guan Ping son of Guan Yu and brother to Guan Suo and Guan Xing wields what could be called a zanbatō.
In the anime BLEACH, Kurosaki Ichigo also has what could be considered a zanbatō. His Soul Slayer "ZanGetsu", or moon slayer, is approximately two feet shorter than his height and four inches wide. It has sometimes been referred to as the butcher knife of Soul Slayers, because of its size and ability to cut.
The player character and the monster Pyramid Head from the video game Silent Hill 2 can wield the Great Knife, a weapon similar to a zanbatō. Unlike most wielders, they exhibit some difficulty in handling such a large and heavy weapon.

External links

[Illustrations of Qing regulation swords] - includes pictures & descriptions of the Chinese zhǎn mǎ dāo

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