Umezawa's Jitte

Umezawa's Jitte was originally released in the 2005 Betrayers of Kamigawa expansion for Magic: The Gathering. Designed as a rare equipment card, it was inspired by the jitte, a traditional Japanese weapon, reflecting the set’s thematic focus on feudal Japanese folklore and mythology. The card was illustrated by Christopher Rush, who utilized a stark, functional aesthetic to emphasize the weapon's versatility and tactical dominance on the battlefield.

Upon its release, the card became one of the most powerful and feared artifacts in the game's history. Its ability to accumulate charge counters through combat and provide flexible buffs made it a staple in competitive formats, particularly Standard and Modern. While its inclusion in 'The List'—a recurring selection of reprints featured in Set Boosters—introduced newer, frame-updated versions of the card to contemporary players, the original design remains a landmark example of high-impact equipment that significantly influenced the power curve of its era.