reiken

Reiken is a term encountered in Japanese-language fantasy and speculative fiction to denote a blade or weapon that is linked to spiritual power. The word is commonly associated with kanji such as 霊剣, literally “spirit sword,” or 雷剣, “thunder sword,” but the exact characters and meaning vary by author. In many stories, reiken are not merely weapons but conduits or repositories of supernatural force.

In typical depictions, a reiken may be forged through ritual, inherited within a clan, or bound to a specific wielder through a pact with a deity or spirit. The energy it channels can be used for offensive strikes, energy projection, or breaking magical barriers. Some versions grant enhanced senses, protective auras, or healing capabilities, while others are depicted as capable of severing connections between the physical and spiritual realms. Swords labeled as reiken may also be described as sentient or as requiring ongoing ritual maintenance to sustain their power.

Notable in worldbuilding discussions, reiken are a flexible trope used to signal ancient lineage, spiritual authority, or latent magical potential. Distinctions between subtypes—such as spirit-bound, thunder-themed, or other-element swords—are defined by the author and may vary across works. There is no single historical or religious tradition governing reiken; it is primarily a fictional device within contemporary fiction, games, and media.

Related concepts include spiritual swords and other magical weapons commonly found in fantasy literature.