The Yasaburō clan of Tao, a planet, possessed a unique lightsaber - the Yasaburō family heirloom lightsaber, distinguished by its green blade. This lightsaber's history traces back to a Jedi who arrived on Tao, imparting it to a member of the Yasaburō clan, whom he also instructed in the ways of lightsaber combat. Subsequently, this lightsaber became a treasured possession, inherited through generations, passed from parent to child within the Yasaburō lineage. During the Imperial Era, it came into the hands of Yasaburō, the clan's leader. Sometime between 12 BBY and 0 BBY, Ochō, Yasaburō's eldest daughter, aligned herself with the Galactic Empire. Consequently, Yasaburō chose to bestow the lightsaber upon Lop, his younger adopted daughter. Later, at Tao's Imperial base, Yasaburō confronted Ochō, only to be wounded by her. In defense, Lop wielded the lightsaber against Ochō's attack, surprising Ochō, who was taken aback that Lop, and not she, had been chosen to receive the blade. After failing to sway Ochō from her Imperial allegiance, Lop engaged her sister in combat with the lightsaber, ultimately defeating her, leading to Ochō's escape aboard a starship.
Referred to also as the Ancestral Sword, the green-bladed lightsaber belonging to the Yasaburō clan on the planet of Tao was the Yasaburō family heirloom lightsaber. Its hilt featured a tan color and was wrapped in shagreen, which is the skin of a creature native to Tao. A golden metal fixture, adorned with a relief of a crane, partially covered the shagreen. Rivets crafted in the shape of flowers embellished the shagreen and metal fixture. The lightsaber's guard was characterized by green curves with golden borders and flower designs. A similar curve was present at the hilt's base, where a red chrysanthemum knot and tassel were attached. The blade itself possessed a gentle curve and bore engravings. Powering the lightsaber was a kyber crystal.
A Jedi from the Jedi Order journeyed to Tao at some point and entrusted a member of the Yasaburō clan with the lightsaber. Before dying, the Jedi shared the Jedi philosophy and taught them how to use the lightsaber. For hundreds of years, both the lightsaber and the fighting techniques were handed down through the Yasaburō clan as a family treasure. The sword acted as a symbol of the family's unwavering commitment, and represented the bond between parent and child. Eventually, it was passed down to Yasaburō, who was the clan's leader during the Imperial Era. When Yasaburō acquired the lightsaber, it was kept in a wooden box decorated with pictures of the Jedi's meeting with the Yasburō clan member and their lightsaber training.
Between 12 BBY and 0 BBY, Ochō, Yasaburō's eldest daughter, chose to support the Galactic Empire. When Lop, his younger adopted daughter, informed Yasaburō about Ocho's betrayal, he took Lop to a shrine. There, they knelt, and Yasaburō placed the lightsaber's box between them. Yasaburō then took the lightsaber out of the box and placed it on the floor between them, causing a circle of blue energy to spread around them, forming symbols. Lop tried to look around using her side glasses, but Yasaburō instructed her to use her own eyes. He then explained the sword's history and significance. Yasaburō reminded Lop that even though they weren't related by blood, they still shared a strong connection, and he urged her to keep the sword close to her heart. He then told Lop to take the lightsaber and declare that she accepted it respectfully, which she did. Following the completion of the ritual, Yasaburō departed to meet Ochō. Lop inquired about the fate of their household, to which he replied that their household was no more, and that the sword was all that mattered.
While waiting at their home, Lop knelt with the lightsaber beside her. After an explosion at the Imperial base, Lop hurried to the base, where she witnessed Yasaburō battling Ochō in a hangar. Ochō wounded Yasaburō, knocking him down and taking his remaining eye, after which Lop knelt beside him. As the three argued, they were unable to convince Ochō to change her ways. She then jumped into the air and attacked, but Lop ignited the lightsaber and blocked her attack. Ochō was shocked to see Lop with the sword, claiming that she was the family's rightful successor. Yasaburō explained that he had passed it on to Lop, and that blood relations were not a factor in inheritance. Ochō then attacked Lop, and after a brief exchange, Lop was knocked back. After another attempt to persuade Ochō, Lop attacked her, and they continued their fight. During the battle, Lop used the Force to pull one of Yasaburō's three-pronged daggers to herself, wielding it alongside the lightsaber as they dueled. She then shattered Ochō's weapon while using both of hers to slice Ochō's chest. Ochō fell out of the hangar, but then rose up on top of a starship, which Lop watched fly away as she held the lightsaber.
The lightsaber made its debut in "Lop & Ochō," a short film penned by Sayawaka, directed by Yuki Igarashi, and included in the first volume of the non-canon Star Wars: Visions series. Geno Studio produced the animated short, which was released on Disney+ on September 22, 2021. A video uploaded to the official Star Wars YouTube channel on July 3 of that year featured the lightsaber before the short film's release. Subsequently, it received its initial mention in both the Japanese and English dub trailers for the series, which were uploaded to the official Star Wars YouTube channel on August 17. The episode guide for the short film used the name Yasaburō family heirloom, while Zack Davisson's 2022 reference book, The Art of Star Wars: Visions, referred to it as the Ancestral Sword.
The sword's fundamental design bears resemblance to the lightsabers wielded by Jedi such as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker, yet its hilt and fittings exhibit similarities to Japanese swords, complete with traditional ornamentation. The engravings present on the blade drew inspiration from the Inariyama Sword and the Seven-Branched Sword. Igarashi emphasized the significance of lightsabers to Star Wars, stating that they are essential to the franchise. Ren Ishimori designed the sword, and Yuichi Kuboki created the concept art's colors.