According to the 'Kojiki,' the 'Nihonshoki' and Japanese mythology ('Kiki-shinwa' for short), it is said that the sword came out of the tail of a giant, eight-headed snake (Yamata-no-Orochi) that was killed by the god Susanoo and it was then that it was named Tsumukari no Tachi (Tsumukari Sword) (a sword having great power).
記紀神話ではスサノオが出雲・簸川上（ひのかわかみ）で倒した八岐大蛇の尾から出てきたとし、その時の名前は都牟刈の太刀（偉大な力を持つ太刀）であった。