

In various franchises, like Noragami, SAO Alicisation, Guilty Crown, souls can
become weapons.

What is the origin of this trope? Does weapon personification have roots in
Japanese folklore?


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tropes
What is the origin of the soul-to-sword trope?


According to [Shinto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shinto), everything has a
spirit, including man-made objects [after 100
years.](https://thewillowweb.com/2016/02/18/tsukumogami-japans-household-
spirits/) The personality of that spirit will reflect how the object was
handled, and according to folklore how it looks; [function giving
form](https://utena-explained.tumblr.com/post/58989882106/mod-moo-the-soul-
swords-are-exactly-what-their). [That's why Soul Calibur looks and acts
evil.](https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/228815-soulcalibur-vi/77128296)

[Soul separation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikiry%C5%8D) is not unusual
during psychosis brought about by substance and/or illness.

> In classical literature, The Tale of Genji (ca. 1000) describes the "well
> known" episode of the ikisudama (the more archaic term for ikiryō) that
> emerged from Genji's lover Lady Rokujo, and tormented Genji's pregnant wife
> Aoi no Ue, resulting in her death after childbirth. This spirit is also
> portrayed in Aoi no Ue, the Noh play adaptation of the same story. After her
> death, Lady Rokujo became an onryō and went on to torment those who would
> later become Genji's consorts, Murasaki and Onna-sannomiya [ja].

The oldest sentient weapon ([before 2144
BCE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninurta)) I found is
[Sharur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharur_\(mythological_weapon\)),
"smasher of thousands" and symbol of the Sumerian/Akkadian god Ninurta. It not
only talks and provides a way to talk to the god Enlil, it flies and can turn
into a winged lion. Sumerian mythic sources describe it as an enchanted
talking mace. It has been suggested as a possible precursor for [similar
objects in other
mythology](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TalkingWeapon) such as
Arthurian lore.

Soldiers in China were trained in unarmed combat as early as the Zhou Dynasty,
[1022 BCE to 256 BCE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hand-to-hand_combat),
[between Bronze Age wrestling/weapons and Iron Age
gladiators](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martial_arts_timeline), possibly
inspired by the 18th century BCE Babylonian Gilgamesh epic and 8th century BCE
Greek Olympic Competition, but punching and kicking is [over 5400 years
old](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_martial_arts).

"Body as a weapon" and "weapon as extension of the body" just need some
mythical [ki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qi) ([Destructo
Disk](https://dragonball.fandom.com/wiki/Destructo_Disc)) or other
[magic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_in_fiction) ([Power
Pole](https://dragonball.fandom.com/wiki/Power_Pole),
[Fireball](https://dungeonsdragons.fandom.com/wiki/Fireball)) to stand out.
The earliest sword made of soul energy might be Marvel's
[Soulsword](https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Soulsword) from April 1983, or
perhaps the sword mentioned in [Relevation
1:16](https://biblehub.com/revelation/1-16.htm):

> He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from
> his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.

["The pen is mightier than the
sword"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_pen_is_mightier_than_the_sword) is a
metonymic adage, created by English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839,
indicating that the written word is a more effective tool for communication
than violence. In some interpretations, written communication can refer to
administrative power or an independent news media. With some magical thinking
that becomes spells and tales like [Death Note
(2003)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_Note). Assyrian sage Ahiqar, who
reputedly lived during the early 7th century BCE, coined the first known
version of this phrase. One copy of the Teachings of Ahiqar, dating to about
500 BCE, states, "The word is mightier than the sword."

[Flaming](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flaming_\(Internet\)) is cheaper and
more effective than most modern weapons. [![Fairly Odd Parents got
real.](https://i.stack.imgur.com/YetcK.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/YetcK.png)


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