Kensei sword
| Kensei sword | |
|---|---|
 After a long journey, Hiro acquires the sword. | |
| First mentioned: | Collision |
| Owned by: | Takezo Kensei, Hiro Nakamura |
| Current status: | in Hiro's possession |
|
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Hiro Nakamura sought and obtained the Kensei sword believing it to hold the key to focusing his ability. The sword appears to be a Japanese katana in style. On its hilt is the Symbol.
About
Collision
When Future Hiro returns to the "present" to give Peter Petrelli the message, he wears the sword on his back.
Hiros
When Peter delivers the message to present-day Hiro, he tells Ando Masahashi about the sword. When Ando translates, Hiro is definitely impressed and begins miming a swordfight.
Fallout
In a hotel room in Midland, TX, Isaac Mendez slips into a precognitive trance and paints an image of Hiro brandishing a sword at a dinosaur. Hiro observes that he really needs to find that sword.
Godsend
In the Museum of Natural History in New York City, Hiro finds a sword which belonged to the legendary Japanese warlord Takezo Kensei. Believing it will help him focus his powers, he slows time and steals it from its case. Outside the museum, however, he discovers it is a replica: the real sword is in the possession of the Linderman Group. When he tells Isaac and Simone about it, Simone agrees to arrange a meeting with Mr. Linderman and gives him the Dinosaur Painting to take with him.
The Fix
In a parking garage, Hiro is determined to steal the sword to focus his powers. Ando points out the Catch-22: he cannot obtain the sword without using his powers. Hiro believes there is a way, and that the sword has many lessons to teach. Ando believes the sword is simply for killing.
Parasite
After delivering the painting, Hiro distracts Linderman's curator by asking for a shipping slip. While he is away, Hiro searches on the computer in Linderman's archives for "SWORD, KENSEI", where the container with the sword comes out of the filing system. As Hiro goes to get the sword from a ladder, the curator switches a security mechanism that locks down the archives. A security guard comes, only to knock the curator unconscious. Hiro triumphantly retrieves the sword, and as security enter the locked room, Hiro and Ando teleport to the future on the rooftop of the Deveaux building, overlooking a wrecked New York City skyline.
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Hiro carries the sword with him to the future, where he encounters Future Hiro in Isaac Mendez's apartment. Both Hiros draw their swords on each another.
Graphic Novel:String Theory
Future Hiro uses his sword five years in the future to threaten an officer. Later, while looking at his string web, he remembers when his former self used the sword to stab Sylar, but to no avail--Sylar regenerated from the stab wound. Finally, Future Hiro returns to Isaac's apartment, and encounters Hiro; both Hiros draw their weapons.
Five Years Gone
Future Hiro and Hiro discuss the past, both in possession of the sword (a future and a past sword). Hiro is detained by Matt, where he takes the past sword away from him. Future Hiro, Ando and Peter break into the Homeland Security building to free Hiro. Future Hiro kills multiple guards then heads to save Hiro. After Future Hiro is killed, Mohinder gives Hiro the future sword and tells him to leave. Then, Hiro and Ando travel to the present.
The Hard Part
After stopping time, Hiro draws his sword to Sylar's neck. When bringing his sword back to attack, time resumes speed, where Sylar catches the sword, freezing it. Hiro and Ando teleport to Isaac's loft, only to find the sword is broken in two.
Landslide
With the sword broken, Hiro and Ando find a repair shop to take the sword to. While there, Kaito encounters the two and asks to speak to Hiro. Hiro tells his father that the sword was broken while trying to kill Sylar, but Kaito tells him the journey restored his ability, not the sword.
How to Stop an Exploding Man
The sword may or may not have been repaired (it's covered), and Kaito hands it back to Hiro as he leaves to search for Ando. After teleporting away from Sylar, Hiro and Ando arrive at Yamagato Industries, where Hiro hands his sword over to Ando. Stating "It is not the sword, it is the man. This man is ready," Hiro takes Ando's sword and teleports to Kirby Plaza to battle Sylar.
When Hiro arrives in 1671, a warrior is seen brandishing the sword.
Four Months Later
Fleeing the burning Otsu in 1671, Yaeko encounters Takezo Kensei and takes the sword from him. Though Kensei and Hiro both impulsively claim ownership over the sword, Yaeko explains that it was her father who made the sword, so she is the rightful owner of it.
Lizards
After Hiro defeats Whitebeard, Yaeko rushes to give the sword back to Kensei.
Kindred
Hiro teleports Kensei to retrieve the fire scroll, and hands Kensei the sword. As the ninety ronin approach Kensei, he takes the sword to the ready. Later, Hiro uses the sword as a way to communicate with present-day Ando by sticking several scrolls hidden inside the sword's hilt. In the present, the sword is still broken. Ando reads the scrolls in the hilt to track Hiro's progress in the past.
Out of Time
Upon destroying Whitebeard's camp, the Sword is given to Yaeko by Hiro. After one last kiss, Hiro teleports back to the present, leaving Yaeko alone with the sword.
Cautionary Tales
When Hiro and Kaito teleport to the day of Ishi Nakamura's funeral, Hiro meets a younger version of himself, wielding a toy replica of the Kensei sword.
Truth & Consequences
Hiro takes his sword with him to Primatech Research, where he finds Adam Monroe and Peter Petrelli. Hiro raises the katana, and charges at Peter.
Powerless
Hiro is knocked out in his fight with Peter, and Adam claims the sword back as his own. Later, Adam uses the sword to fight against the Company's security guards. After Hiro teleports Adam to Aoyama Cemetery, Hiro reclaims the sword.
Heroes 360
The documentary Sword Saint chronicles Kensei's sword skills under the tutelage of the Dragon of Kiso Mountain, and how he used his sword during the "Trials of Takezo Kensei". Chapter 5 of the documentary delves into the mystery that surrounds the sword. Though nothing is certain, it is believed that the sword was embedded in a field of solid ice. After Kensei retrieved the sword, it was responsible for taming the undisciplined Kensei. The sword's existence was doubted for centuries, until 1977, when Daniel Linderman claimed to be in the sword's possession. Even when the Linderman Corporation would lend out Kensei artifacts to museums, the sword was never allowed to leave Linderman's archives. However, after the sword was stolen, mystery, doubt, and the rumor of a curse surrounded the sword.
Memorable Quotes
"I really need to find that sword..."
"That sword is my destiny. The samurai's weapon must be used with honor. And respect. The sword has many lessons to teach."
"Swords are for killing. That's why they're sharp."
"I stole your sword!"
- - Hiro (to Takezo Kensei) (Four Months Later)
"My sword!"
- - Hiro and Takezo Kensei (to Yaeko) (Four Months Later)
"I believe this is mine, carp"
Notes
- According to corinthianlasvegas.com, the sword is made of leather, steel, and wood, circa 1580.
- The sword appears to help Hiro focus his powers. With the sword in his possession, his face seems calm and serene when using his powers, as opposed to the the intense effort he seemed to need before he obtained the sword.
- Hiro's sword bears resemblance to Future Trunks's sword from Dragon Ball Z.
- According to one of Hiro's blog entries, Kensei called his sword 自由刀 (jiyuutou). This loosely translates as "Freedom Sword".
Trivia
- Linderman's archives list the catalog number for the sword as CRM-114.
Gallery
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On the New York subway, Future Hiro carries the sword on his back. -
The symbol appears on the hilt of the katana. -
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Takezo Kensei is the original owner of the sword. -
Ando comments on the symbol on the hilt of Takezo Kensei's sword. -
Hiro assumes a fight stance in front of a dinosaur at the Museum of Natural History. -
Hiro discovers that the sword he stole is a poor replica, courtesy the Linderman Group. -
Ando notices a similarity between The Symbol and two Japanese characters. -
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The sword is in Linderman's archives as catalog number CRM-114. -
Hiro reaches for the sword. -
Hiro confirms his quest is complete. -
Hiro's powers are "restored" with the addition of the sword. -
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Hiro and his future self meet... -
...and draw their swords on one another. -
Hiro Nakamura battles guards in the lobby of the Department of Homeland Security. -
Takezo was not very good with a broken sword. -
Sword Saint explains the legend that Kensei retrieved his sword from a field of ice. -
See Also
- For other uses of sword, see sword (disambig).
External Links
- Katana -- Wikipedia
Fan Theories
Please refer to Theory:Kensei sword for fan-created theories and other speculation.