zanbato

An incredibly large sword forged during the Edo period of Japanese history. Although it was originally meant to take down a horse and its rider in one swing, the weapon was so massive that it required at least two people to hold, much less wield. In the Japanese manga Rurouni Kenshin, fighting enthusiast Sagura Sanosuke, under the name 'Zanza', carried and fought with a zanbato, belying his incredible strength. Sanosuke's zanbato had no edge, due to its age; so although it was formally called a blade, it could only be used to smash and crush.