The Mysterious Disappearance Of The Most Famous Medieval Sword In History | Myth Hunters

[@atagany]

As a Japanese, this story was extremely interesting. I was surprised that it plainly tells that Douglas MacArthur became the new shogun, which is the truth people rarely mention. And I believe the U.S. has been the shogun in the Japanese psyche since the WWII. Just like the hope diamond goes to the most powerful in the world, the honjo masamune is the symbol of the conquerer of Japan. The experts in the video are very knowledgeable. I enjoyed it. Thank you.

[@prabshiro]

That's a very good way to put it. ❤ if the japanese NBTHK appraisal team went to America and offered a hefty reward. There's a chance somebody might come forward with it. Who knows

[@compuguy123]

MacArthur took more than just that. There are rumours of excavations at mount Tsurugi that stopped when Mcarthur wrapped up and Left Japan.

[@LordDirus007]

Yes! Douglas MacArthur was the Last ShoGun, that is why the Japanese didn't rebel, because Douglas MacArthur kept the Emperor Alive and Ruled as the Military Dictator(Shogun). Which was a brilliant move. The Japanese were already familiar with that sort of Government. It didn't upset the Cultural Tradition. Douglas MacArthur was highly respected

[@oysterman962]

@@LordDirus007 MaCarthur was a Showman not a Shogun. He knew how to manipulate and control. Most US Generals have that capability that's why some became US President

[@LordDirus007]

@@oysterman962 Huh.....so what you are saying is, he was kinda like the Tokugawa Shogun then? Manipulate and Control. Literally exactly what the First Shogun did when he took Power. Used the Emperor to control Japan.

[@pappacool6763]

It's ironic that the very fact that it is common knowledge that if the current owner reveals the whereabouts of the sword, he would immediately lose it, without any compensation, might be the very thing that has prevented him from revealing the sword's whereabouts. I know if I had it, and I knew how much it was worth, I would just keep it. Why the heck would anybody agree to give up such a valuable item, for maybe a pat on the back?!? As long as there's no incentive to return it, if it even still exists, it will remain "missing".

[@RobertStewart-i3m]

I completely agree. Immediate seizure is wrong, and it's Unconstitutional.

[@th.burggraf7814]

NEVER, not in a million years, would I've handed over a sword that my ancestors had carried throughout centuries and passed down to me. And why the owner of the Honjo Masamune didn't even try to save his heirloom is beyond me.

[@testickles8834]

A smart man wouldn't have taken it to a battle you knew you were losing. It was lost over hubris and overconfidence.

[@DuskDaimon]

Yeahhh like why not hide the ancestral swords especially if the Americans wouldn't know the difference...? Bury them, hide them in the walls of your home or under the floorboards, ugh... it's heartbreaking. More of them should have handed in their low quality-factory swords while hiding their heirloom treasures.. :/

[@shinobibusiness]

The idea that the Japanese desk clerk would have handed over a priceless Masamune to a clueless American soldier is laughable. Even if he wasn’t a sword expert, every Japanese person to this day knows the name Masamune and would have known about the importance and quite frankly monetary value of such a sword. Let alone the importance of the man turning it in. That’s assuming that Tokugawa Iemasa even turned in the actual Honjo Masamune and not a cheaper lookalike. From the available records not mentioned in this documentary, it was supposedly housed in rather simple koshirae when surrendered. You would think the most famous sword in Japan would have been kept in a shirasaya, the proper way to store a valuable sword when not on display. I’m not alone in this opinion. For decades there’s been whispers in Japan of it being in the collection of a well known yakuza family. What better way is there to hide a priceless treasure than to have everyone thinking it’s on the other side of the world. The Honjo Masamune never left Japan.

[@blakerichardson5933]

my grandfather fought in ww2 for the Australian army then was in the occupation force, and he came back with a whole wooden trunk full of Japanese swords that were kept in the imperial palace, they later got burned in a house fire then scrapped for metal. so yeah wouldn't surprise me at all if it got given to a random soldier.

[@petermontoya1796]

I agree. Some lowly Sgt. in the US Army wouldn't know the difference between blades. The rank shown is of a Sgt. Major and not a Sgt. Either way, no one but someone from Japan would have been able to tell the difference. You don't just walk away with such a Japanese national treasure just like that. Think of it like this. Someone walking into the National Archives in Washington DC and grabbing the last original copy of the Declaration of Independence & our Constitution, rolling them up and walking out without being noticed.

[@peaceleader7315]

It isn't being destroyed it is hidden in one of the Buddhist temples' roof attics .. it is still there last time I checked..

[@omarab837]

Lol shut up​@@peaceleader7315

[@jameswamba4338]

I hope you're right.

[@phhdvm]

I’m glad they added “reconstruction” in the opening battle sequence. I briefly thought it was actual footage.

[@oysterman962]

I think they meant they stole the footage from another production

[@vonborgah]

I instantly tought there were ninjas with cameras there

[@oysterman962]

@@vonborgah They even pioneered making upskirt videos. Dirty ninjas!

[@-xxMelissaxx-]

Including Japanese experts would've been a great decision for a multitude of reasons, including preventing the repeated mispronounciation of Masamune.

[@fourdeck33]

Should get it right, like the Japanese did with Coldy Bimore. Maybe that's the more important mispronunciation which is pertinent to this story.

[@Redneck-kw6hh]

@@corntrollio854 Ok now explain yourself. cuz you seem kinda dumb right now. or are you one of those who only know the word "Nazi" just because its drilled into your head.

[@MrKnife.69]

same with how he pronounce Tokugawa Ieyasu

[@satanofficial3902]

Mah-sah-moo-nay.

[@oysterman962]

The title of this doco should be Lost in Translation. In more ways than one

[@ChetJang]

My father was in occupied Japan after WWII. At that time, samurai swords were destroyed in large numbers by running them over with bulldozers. I am sure that many classic swords were destroyed as well.

[@johnootot]

My grandfather returned from the pacific war with a Japanese sword. He knew nothing about it except his experience in acquiring it. They were taking the surrender of a combat regiment and it was tense. They were held on parade under heavy machine guns. The men had already stacked their firearms. All officers and NCOs were ordered to stack their swords which they did reluctantly. When completed, the jerry cans of petrol were brought out and they poured the fuel on the rifles for burning. During these moments the CO gave the guards permission to take sword souvenirs. Several guards did. They then brought the fuel to the sword pile. All hell broke loose. Several Japanese officers broke ranks and ran to the pile demonstrating that they could not burn it. My grandfather told me they were a whisker away from being shot. But in the following minutes a few of them approached the CO and prostrated themselves. In the minutes that followed they were able to explain that it was not correct to burn one of the swords. The CO asked them to show which one and the thing that stood out to my grandfather, was that the Japanese officer went to the pile and directly removed one sword and laid it at his feet. He knew exactly where it was! My grandfather studied it and thought it looked very plain, there were other swords more decorative, the blades embellished with symbols etc. But this one had none of it! It even had chip marks along the spine of the blade. It didnt look special, but the japanese officer fiercely insisted that it could not be burned. So my grandfather took it under his care to relieve the tension. He returned home with it and its still sitting in a box somewhere in my sisters attic. The other swords did get burned though.

[@brendonkeith600]

UPS that shit back to him! It probably has his ancestor's spirit in it!

[@FrankyBlack]

Wow thatsna areally cool story. Who knows hownvaluable that sword is.,and how ancient..

[@JoeRowland90]

Lol imagine if it's the sword...

[@flyhigh5450]

Find it, if it's genuine I'll buy it for a great price

[@MyLife-og2kr]

Cool story bro. If only it was real huh?😅

[@09nob]

The thought that horrifies me is that it's rusting to nothing in someone's garage or loft.

[@oysterman962]

It is common. Many swords found in a rusted state in allied soldiers homes. But it's better that they've sit in the garage for decades naturally oxidized rather than attempt to polishing them and removing metal, as many allied soldiers used angle grinders and polishing wheels to polish them artificially. Rust can be removed, where as shaving chunks off a sword is irrepairable

[@09nob]

@@oysterman962Oh the horror, wow, that pains me.

[@oysterman962]

@@09nob As a collector of antiques I've heard of many horror stories. There was once a boy found using a Japanese sword to trim the branches off a fruit tree somewhere in the mid west USA on a farm. Luckily a sword collector driving past stopped by and purchased it off him. The sword turned out to be 15th century. Many swords have been used as farming implements since being taken as war trophies.

[@09nob]

@@oysterman962I reiterate, the horror. Ha, ha, wow. So many treasures have no doubt been discarded or destroyed over the centuries, under the assumption that they were trash.

[@herschelmayo2727]

One idea is that the sergeant, who picked it up, was asked "What are you called?" He answered, "I'm called D.B Moore." At least two were identified as being in Japan, but none assigned to that unit or duty.

[@TheDogGeneral]

I read that somewhere that some guy on the internet have been doing exhaustive searching on the sword came up with that name for a sergeant in the Pacific Campaign named Cole D B Moore it would connect the dots it would be interesting to know what kind of souvenirs and career that man have after World War II but it kind of fits but then again lots of Moore's served in World War II

[@mikloskallo9046]

A number (200+) of katanas are designated national treasure and it's worth mentioning the Tenka-Goken, the five swords under heaven, considered excellent and extraordinary blades too.

[@Za7a7aZ]

It would be so very fortunate to walk into a pawnshop and buy the dusty forgotten katana standing in the corner of the shop for 20$ ...and turn out to be Honjo. Why has the family never made a attempt to get the Hondo back...can it be that its still in the hands of the family

[@thepeskytraveller3870]

Imagine being the one to find it. Thank you for uploading.

[@jonbowhay9386]

It is Sgt Cole D. B. Moore who was with the Foreign Liquidation Commission Far East Division and was from Wilcox Country Georgia. This information has been availablefor some time. His records were destroyed in the fire at the National Personnel Records Centre of 1973 .

[@prabshiro]

Wow. Somebody else said the same thing, would they be able to track his family name at all ??

[@FutureMythology]

Fascinating video! The story behind the disappearance of the legendary Masamune sword is truly intriguing. It's incredible to think about the journey and mysteries surrounding such an iconic piece of samurai history. Looking forward to more captivating content like this! 🗡🎥

[@susuairj]

The mispronunciation of Masamune really got me while watching this documentary...

[@michaellynes3540]

The Honjo Masamune is probably in some guy’s attic somewhere in America. Sgt. Coldy Bimore was mispronounced. It’s Sgt. Cole D. B. Moore.

[@prabshiro]

Yeah that's a good shout at the name. But I'm sure that would be on record somewhere lol

[@fukkitful]

My guess is the family only turned it over as show. And had it look to be taken by an American. When really it was returned back to them. or the police officers hide it. I don't believe an American ever got to touch that sword.

[@MrRugercat45]

Im wondering where that name “Cole D.B. Moore” came from? It sounds close, maybe it was not Cole D., but Cody ? Cody B. Moore? Maybe Bymore? Who knows, Cole D. sounds really good to me. Fascinating. Makes me angry that such beautiful blades were destroyed and desecrated. If I were a soldier on duty back then, I would have probably told the people to just hide the damn swords and shut up about it and screw the orders.

[@TheDogGeneral]

I read that somewhere as well not that long ago I mean Sergeant Cole D B Moore would be a nice runner-up to Colby bymore but on that instance further investigation would be essential if not absolutely required the man would certainly be dead at this point it would be miraculous if he were still alive but if his family members are still around If Only They would agree to an interview or talk about what trophies are Spoils of War that Sergeant Moore brought home that would be profound but then again how many Sergeant Moore's were there in World War II certainly more than one but it's a start

[@ironhornforge]

Its definitely in a private collection. No way was it destroyed, it along with the other 15 would have the finest fittings, even someone with no knowledge of japanese swords would see the quality.

[@plurplursen7172]

I cannot believe that a person would keep it a secret, to be the owner of this sword. It's a sacred historical mythical and religious piece of artefact for a whole civilization. Priceles. I am afraid that it no longer exists. Artwork like this will not be forgotten, but sold. Someone bought it cheap at a garagesale to test his "ninja skills" with a katana. And threw it away after he broke the blade.

[@ironhornforge]

@plurplursen7172 many people would have reasons to keep it secret. There is a massive underworld of black market art, objects with price tags far higher than the honjo masamune. High profile Criminals often keep stolen or looted art incase they are arrested, they can use this art to barter for a better sentence. Not to mention people that are extremely wealthy, they keep things just because they can. The Rothschilds are a perfect example, they collected priceless artefacts from all over the world, many of which I doubt have ever seen the light of day again. Hitler, stalin, Saddam, also took priceless art and artefacts, take your pick

[@LakwatserongHampaslupa]

There were only 4 possibilities, 1. The true blades were hidden, and the blades were replaced before it was turn-over by Tokugawa 2. The soldier who claim it maybe a fake Sgt. (Coldy Bimore) and extracted the legendary blades back to Tokugawa 3. It was identified priceless treasure by the soldier and took it back to US with him as trophy 4. It was surrendered and went to the smelting to end it's legend by having a new shogun Ask ourselves in the shoes of Tokugawa that time - are you going to surrender it - you will never ever surrender such treasures even if it will lead to your death... IMHO

[@RoaroftheTiger]

At the end of the Russo - Japanese War; various members of the Japanese Royal Family gave "TR" several valuable Swords - All MIA. Swords that were given to a Naval JAG - Dale Brandon. Included was a Katana that had belonged to Adm. Yamamoto (circa - 1492) and a couple of Short Swords made from the Gun Barrels which had armed Adm.Toho's Flagship. A Ship which took part in the unprovoked attack on Port Arthur & thr Russian Navy ... They Too are Missing.

[@drrichardpaul]

This documentary has a few things wrong because they never actually talked to a bladesmith or blacksmith. The reason the blade curved is because of how it was tampered. The edge hardened before the spine, and then cooled down faster. That’s what causes the curve. The back was left stronger because he knew they needed to be a “chopper” while also being able to cut. Does folding help? It depends on what you’re going after. In some cases, it’s preferable. Other times it’s not. In this case, it was absolutely necessary because he was adding carbon to iron ore to create a solid billet. We still do that to this day when working from iron ore into usable steel. If your weapons are breaking consistently, there are 2 reasons. 1 is that your steel doesn’t have enough carbon to make it sustainable against what you’re hitting. Or, 2, you’ve brought a razor blade against a stone wall. Get it? Now, as far as the Army saying they destroyed sword, most likely it did happen. Yes, some soldiers brought back “treasures” like these swords, but most swords got melted.

[@MrBottlecapBill]

Not to mention the tachis were much more curved than the katanas lol. Great for cutting down their local lightly armoured levis, not so great against advanced forces. Curved blades also made them less useful for stabbing in combat. Which..........when fighting someone in metal armor ( many Mongols had metal armour at this time as they had grown quite wealthy conquering a good portion of the world) is important because you can't cut through it anyway. Not even with a Katana. They wanted their swords to survive combat without breaking. A bent blade is better than a broken one.

[@pedenmk]

I hope this treasure makes it back into Japanese hands. I lived in Japan for a year back in the 70s. They are very humble people. Great presentation. Thanks for sharing.

[@roodbennett]

They may appear humble sir, they call honor!

[@mikrobyo1790]

no they dont deserve it back they where monsters

[@burrrn___]

the US isnt any better if u wanna call the japanese monsters,id even say the US is far worse especially when the US literally dropped 2 nukes pulverizing women, senior citizens, babies, and kids@@mikrobyo1790

[@clevelandaeromotive]

As a military antiques collector myself (mostly WWI and WWII German helmets) this story is amazing. I had no idea. Still sticking to German helmets though. lol

[@StephiSensei26]

Interesting program, however, it completely disregards the fact that even in Feudal times the Japanese Noble / Samurai class was quite knowledgeable of their treasures. Such highly and skillfully produced handmade objet d'art, were highly prized by the Noble / Samurai classes. So, what did they do to protect them? They made copies to fool the spies! Our Honjo Masamune may very well be sitting somewhere, on its Kake' (stand) or hidden away in a vault of some museum in Japan, to be seen by appointment only.

[@Caboose858]

This makes me so sad to see that sword were taken from families that had them for hundreds of years and destroyed just to make a statement. I’m American and part Japanese, my grandmother told me about being a little girl in Japan during WWII. The amount of culture that was just destroyed breaks my heart

[@eelihzuhbeth]

as an american it breaks my heart what we did to the japanese ppl, forcing their hand and involving them in ww2. the only reason we were even dragged into it was because churchill's military was weak and he knew he couldnt win against germany without our fire power. he was manipulative, money hungry, evil man. sadly, we were not the good guys of ww2 and the good guys definitely didnt win. 💔 i wish i could come across this sword just so i could return it to its rightful home.

[@bobcouch6194]

A retired gentleman had a big safe in his garage. Inside the safe were 3 exquisite Japanese swords. He unsheathed one, which had Japanese writing, characters on the blade. All three were beautiful. I don't think he knew anything about them, but they were his treasure.

[@prabshiro]

This is what may have happened to it

[@bobcouch6194]

@@prabshiro The one with the Japanese writing; each character was large. I knew I was looking at something very important. But I have never heard or seen any Japanese sword with writing on the blade since I saw that one. The writing was etched into the blade, very beautiful. The other two swords were no less impressive though; very exquisite.

[@prabshiro]

@bobcouch6194 this is the thing. We have ageing people who have inherited their fathers' possessions and then stack them away not to be seen. We simply don't know how many important works are in garages across America.

[@pyrobob208]

As a knife and sword lover this breaks my heart how such works of art were destroyed by ignorant fools.

[@thetoneknob4493]

their is a bunch of sword smiths that made great swords. from all around japan and from many eras. masamune swords are a confusing topic as signatures and eras don't tend to line up conveniently. the soshu den has some very important makers as did the bizen den yamashiro den the yamato den the mino den and so on..the edo period also had important schools like the hizen-den and the tadayoshi line. along with a half dozen other schools. i believe that evry once and a while an average smith might find that everything went perfectly with one blade and produce a masterpiece. learning what makes that blade a masterpiece can take a long time of dedicated study to fully understand.

[@aphaileeja]

Nice dude! True story I got back from Tokyo and did a ton of research, I swear it's in New Jersey somewhere!

[@pocarisweet8336]

If a regular japanese citizen would think twice on surrendering their prized sword. I wouldn't be surprised if tokugawa iemasa would rather die than to give up such sword. He clearly swap that thing. Maybe the reason it hasn't surface yet is the keeper is waiting for the right time. Maybe when the US would finally leave Japan or when the shoganate is back in power. I really doubt it left Japan tho.

[@RichardOcampo-fz2cf]

A very great treasure! The story of this sword is remarkable. I forgot the Japanese craftsmanship is such a fine work of art.. truely remarkable.

[@juliebeans7323]

Anything made prior to the last 100 years is a form of artwork.

[@christadauria4362]

Very interested about Legend of Honjo Masamune as most renowned and famous samurai sword in Ancient Japan in History of Japan. Well, I have had seen 2 popular historical movies--"Shogun" and "Tora!-Tora!-Tora!". Only Honjo Masamune is the true symbol of the conquer of Japan in Far East History as my college history course at Gallaudet University in my sophrome year in my college status before my college graduation from Gallaudet University with my Class of 1981.

[@FairKou]

Think the fact is that, the sword was never handed, for no one is worthy of touching it, only the bloodline of its maker. A real Samurai's sword is not for dishonourable thieves. Every born and dedicated Samurai's sword carries a soul that knows honour to the finest degree. The sword moves according to its master's heart bit, they are both inseparable, it is part of him till death. Unless one wants to become a mad batttouzai, then take it as you wish.

[@JSLEnterprises]

So much of this documentary is hilarious. It wasnt Curved because it cut flesh better, it was curved because of the way the two types of steel that made up the blade cooled when quenched. Thats how they get their curves. It should also be noted that the Masamune is actually a Tachi and not a regular Katana.

[@panchonorthmann6408]

And the idea that Masamune is the one who developed the "Japanese" method of repeated forge welding to drive out undesirable impurities when swords from previous eras and in other nearby regions show the same technology... Honestly, I couldn't get past the 4 minute mark of this hyperbolic twaddle.

[@angusarmstrong6526]

Great story!

[@msaltalola]

They don't have to be sent to Japan to be verified. The maker's marks and the sketches would be proof alone. However, if they wanted a physical inspection of the blade, make the inspector come to the sword not the other way around. Common sense. That way, there is no risk of losing it for the owner.

[@maszkalman3676]

Yeah that wouldn't be the owner the amrican who has it is a basic a$s thief nothing more....

[@chrismalcomson7640]

I'm sure if you did find it and sent photo's of the blade to these experts in Japan, they'd be over on the next plane with a very substantial offer to buy it off you if it checked out.. If you refused to sell it they'd probably refuse to give it an authenticity certificate, leaving you with a potentially valuable sword that could be a fake..

[@prabshiro]

​@@chrismalcomson7640precisely

[@prabshiro]

​@@maszkalman3676he's not a thief. And he's probably passed on by now if he exists.

[@maszkalman3676]

@@prabshiro He is..... A thief is literally person who especially secretly or without open force; one guilty of theft or larceny.

[@sethherron5926]

Unfortunately the men who captured them in battle weren’t allowed to keep them and they went to officers who didn’t deserve them. I know we had a lot of great officers but some, ehh?

[@CatVisionTM]

Masamune is an end game weapon in like every Final Fantasy game ever

[@mwolkove]

Its in a lot of other games too. It would be hilarious if, in games, it was always hidden in a random attic in a random house. That's probably where the original is.

[@CatVisionTM]

@@mwolkovelol that would be funny, or maybe the actual masamune is hidden in a video game chest somewhere, like it downloaded its consciousness into a game to avoid being melted

[@stayniftyGuyFaceMannPersonDude]

Fenrir

[@Between_Scylla_and_Kharybdis]

@@mwolkove There are multiple Masamune originals, the Honjo is just one of them

[@mwolkove]

@Between_Scylla_and_Kharybdis yeah, its kinda obvious that he didn't make a single prefect sword in his career. I'm pretty sure the game designers aren't referring to the crappy first sword he made for his buddy freshman year at metal hammering school.

[@heshanperera1253]

Very sad to see a legendary Samurai katana gets dissappear and never pop up again. It's not about who took or keeping right now, it should be where it born and where it belongs to be. It's a soul of a samurai.

[@premierhoner614]

WOW, very very impressive, and very interesting. I do hope the lost sward will be found....

[@RobertStewart-i3m]

As much as I truly love Bujitsu, this video isn't cutting it for me. Still, gave a thumbs up

[@smuffinman]

Imagine being the family member that lost your 800 year old sword...can't imagine that pain

[@veritas41photo]

Excellent!

[@hodaka1000]

I have a Japanese army sword that belonged to my father a WWII veteran From memory he acquired the sword I now have in the late 1970's here in Australia He did bring home a Japanese naval sword either when he returned from the war or when he returned from the War Crimes Tribunals and told me he traded the naval sword to a museum for a Japanese army sword, and I imagine he must have sold it before I was born

[@QuizVortex.1]

I'm thankful to the content creator for bringing this quiz to us. You're amazing!

[@cg_justin_5327]

Give it back. Enough said. If I owned it, I would return it where it belongs

[@laurancedoyle4231]

But good documentary!

[@LordAnestis]

Man i hope they will find it one day.

[@oysterman962]

No. It's like the Lochness Monster or Big Foot. The fun is over once you find it.

[@bujongols]

HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE ANY OF THIS IF NONE OF THEM CAN EVEN SAY THE SWORD'S NAME RIGHT. TF

[@lethaldream50]

just trust us bro

[@kluafoz]

I only know about this man and blade because of a video game. Final Fantasy 11.

[@RydiasRevenge]

You should play Chrono Trigger :)

[@jglg7238]

but the thing is, this samurai sword and sword maker is a real.

[@MadamePele]

Such a wonderful documentary. If only the narrator had taken time to learn the correct pronunciation of “Masamune”.

[@guysmalley]

I collect 500 year old + Katanas it is amazing the documentation with each sword. You can only purchase katanas graded one tier below the top rated swords . You feel the history of each sword. Btw when blooding the sword in some cases would execute prisoners to see how the sword performed.

[@samuelgarrod8327]

Wow, I'm surprised that you have not uploaded a video of your collection.

[@axeya366]

When i was 7 i was trekking through a primary school yard in my local area and in the long grass i stumbled across Kitana Sword. It was heavy for me to pick up and carry. I was scared and took it to a local Martial Artist that taught the locals Tae Kwon Do and Karate since he had other weapons like Nunchuks, Sai's and Bo's etc in his garage. From that day forth i question whether it had some value or i should of kept it.

[@LuigiCotocea]

Man! You needed to keep as your own samurai sword, why? After you did those Jujitsu classes you could say you are a master!

[@gordwrath6811]

If I found it, I would contact the Japanese consulate, and return that national treasure home. Where it belongs.

[@lethaldream50]

it would probably be a bit different if it was the actual sword. but i watched a youtube doc where the grandson of a GI who took a trophy sword home tried to track the original owners family and return it to them in person. he eventually did, but he had severe issues even finding a way for it to be shipped to japan and have it get ppast japanese customs/authorities.

[@simonc4764]

Member of the UK and Northern To-ken Societies are both represented in this documentary.

[@tonyvillarreal1812]

Muramasa & Murasame Have their own story of legend.

[@thetoneknob4493]

even tho they existed hundreds of years apart,,lol

[@TheShockwaveDragon]

Everybody's operating from the mindset that the guy absolutely took that particular sword - the documentary itself goes through great pains to emphasize that nobody knew whether a sword was valuable heirloom or the equivalent of a giant steak knife, even when they had dozens in hand and picked based on personal taste. It's possible he already had claimed his sword and gun by the time he picked the bundle of artifact swords up, meaning he wouldn't have been able to take it if he wanted and may have simply chosen another based on how cool it looked. It's possible that it was smelted after all - and it's equally possible that even if it made it back to the states, it was thrown into the trash by a family without much interest in Grand Dad's old war relics once he passed away; ask any garage man - people throw away perfectly good and valuable things on purpose or accident all the time.

[@titotatianajuarez3248]

I love it when it says in caption "Reconstruction." It's good because otherwise I would have thought they had video cameras back then during those times. 😂

[@MrRugercat45]

They DID have video cameras then. Do you think they are a modern invention?! Jesus they had video cameras in the late 1800’s, certainly a few years before 1900 by the footage. They had tiny micro cameras in the ‘30’s, if you saw one you’d think they’re something new.

[@nonye0]

lol dont pretend u do lmao. joker.

[@eazypeazy8415]

Honestly the fact he gave up his sword makes me sick. Accepting death & defeat ? Dude this guys a coward

[@alsimmonshellspawn6021]

Imagine if miyamoto musashi with the masamune

[@kennykimbler9816]

Believe me or Not, I know the man that has the sword and he has paid for a Japanese Sword Expert to fly to California to examine the sword and he says with 100% sure its the legendary sword and he will sale it for $20 Million Dollars. But he will not sale it until he dies so his grandson is the person that has it so until his grandfather dies it will stay in the family safe. At the will reading will the layers give the grandson the code to the family safe. So it will be found only then.

[@notsans9995]

Bullshit. Any worthwhile Appraiser even capable of identifying the sword would be the first to announce it, he would be greatly celebrated and compensated to collect as much info as possible about the swords condition.

[@warpdriveby]

If it's ever found/recognized, it should be returned to Japan. We would certainly want the Liberty Bell back if the situation were reversed.

[@dionbryant330]

In Japanese Bi can mean 'beautiful/splendour'. Mo can mean 'also'. Ri can mean 'capable of multiple tasks '. Just putting it out there 🤔 Was the surname supposedly used by the Sgt that picked up the sword, a description of the sword?

[@Turbodog-do7tc]

Yknow, the risk of carrying a family heirloom onto the battlefield, is the risk of losing that heirloom, on that battlefield. Tradition is tradition, but maybe dont commit the genocide of countless civilians, use biological weapons against civilian population centers, and massacre hundreds of thousands of innocent people in their own homes, and you wont have your priceless family heirlooms of battle taken from you.

[@hydinalvarico9524]

kudos cameraman🎉

[@alejandroadoraajesus]

That's the reason of why I will keep it for generations in my family. The World has to know it now. It still exist, I have it but I will keep it until I die.

[@g.3921]

Where are they getting that 15 large gold coins was equal to £2,500, that’s at most equal to 1.5-2 1 oz. Gold coins which aren’t even that big. 15 large gold coins only contained an ounce and a half of gold? You guys might want to do your research there.

[@hsheeld]

Japan did not enter World War 2 in 1941. They entered World War II years before when they invaded China.

[@jglg7238]

this Masamune samurai sword was know to repel evil spirits, the shine of the blade.

[@MrBottlecapBill]

No it was said to do so..........not known.

[@Foxtooeasy]

80 years later and still missing definitely got melted.

[@commonsense215]

It was not lost....the Samurai were conquered....and thus lost there statis as warriors....

[@youtubehatesus2651]

Japan did not enter WWII in 1941. Japan began WWII with it's invasion of China in the 1930s. The USA entered the war in 1941. Thanks for video.

[@dianedylan5423]

Came here to say this. It's hard to trust this documentary when they get the most basic information wrong. What a shame.

[@richardpierce7819]

That sword is still in Japan hidden so it can be preserved. A lot of people will argue this. But I know it for a fact. Do the reaserch and learn for yourself. It is a Japenese National Treasure. It is a blade of honor only killing those who needed killing.

[@robertfyfield4055]

Gr8 stuff

[@CC21200]

Getting one's knickers in a knot over the military threat of swords in the age of tanks... smh.

[@kevinfoster1138]

My grandfather had a sword from when he was in WW2 that was supposed to be inherited to me but was stolen from his home from a break in. However it was not a Japanese sword it was his issued Sabre. I was very sad to hear it was stolen.

[@hodaka1000]

I have a Japanese army sword that belonged to my father a WWII veteran From memory he acquired the sword I now have in the late 1970's here in Australia He did bring home a Japanese naval sword either when he returned from the war or when he returned from the War Crimes Tribunals and told me he traded the naval sword to a museum for a Japanese army sword, and I imagine he must have sold it before I was born

[@jackiedaytona7201]

The narrator should at least learn how to pronounce Masamune if he is going to say it every second sentence.

[@-xxMelissaxx-]

I know right. The mispronunciation is bugging the crap out of me

[@annfay6543]

Why don’t narrators take more pride in their work and learn to pronounce the words and names properly?

[@dukkshow1991]

Yes very lazy researching

[@guysmalley]

Then don’t pay the bill oh right it’s free

[@nathansmith-ju3pz]

The way he pronounced Tokugawa Ieyasu almost made me stop watching the video

[@GaryFry-k6l]

I'd have said Excalibur was more famous tbh.

[@hodaka1000]

If it was ever real

[@BILLYC0DE]

Hurts to hear of history being destroyed

[@TheClaymoreman1]

here was a sgt Romney Fillmore in the 7cav in Tokyo after WW2. Was a photo of him hanging in the 1st cav museum.

[@WilliamScavengerFish]

Nowadays there is the s5 shock resistant katana that you can use to carve rock. Mind you, there is also a s5 long sword.

[@cadderley100]

I have a theory about where the Masamune is now. I vehemently disagree that the true name of the Sergeant will never be found, because I have found it. There exists a death record of a certain Mr. Cole D. B. Moore, a Sergeant in the 7th Cavalry, being buried at Albany, Dougherty County, Georgia, USA, who died in 1979, at the age of 66. That man, is Coledy Bimore, and I personally believe that the sword is buried with him.

[@nickdarr7328]

To get 30,000 layers you just do 16 folds. Its not as dramatic as it sounds

[@patrickbarrett5650]

I found a Japanese sword in a friend’s umbrella stand when I was valuing his furniture. We were negotiating for it when he died suddenly and left it to his brother in Australia. It definitely had the ‘watermark’ edge on the blade but the tsuba, the mounts and the grip were nothing special.

[@patrickbarrett5650]

@@RezSkel None taken, but I had a friend (mike Long) an antique arms dealer in Nottingham who very kindly taught me many things and in the trade recognition skills are priceless. I didn’t mean that I had missed a treasure. It was more to point out how a sword (or anything else) can travel about. I didn’t know that it was a ‘hamon’ so thanks for that.

[@kuronoch.1441]

Always check the blade hilt for signatures. But signature or no signature, get it appraised. One of the peculiar traits of Masamune and his more famous students is that they rarely sign their works.

[@RichardOcampo-fz2cf]

This is indeed a very great story.. the soul of every Japanese warrior.

[@mark109s]

This should show them don’t start wars. I have no sympathy for them. 😢

[@osirusgtr]

It makes me sick to even think that the Magnificent work of art The Honjo Masamune could of been melted down.

[@guntherhuyghe]

Finest JAPANESE sword ever made. It's been proven that samurai swords are not better than any other high quality swords in the world. So, saying this sword is better than the best European or other high quality swords, is very dangerous. Which doesn't take away it's historic importance of course. 😉

[@prabshiro]

Well. Seeing how old and preserved they are. And would have been absolutely stunning. It would eclipse the beuty of any other. There's a reason they cost so much.

[@jglg7238]

the japnese samurai sword is beautiful than any swords made, it just looks elegance to look at, no other swords can compare when it comes to the "look"

[@robroy6804]

the 1 i had was that old the scabbard disintegrated , it was made from 2 bits of bamboo then wrapped in leather

[@jupp9999]

This is actually very sad....

[@jedgarren2901]

McArthur took the swords from the Japanese men, and he handed them a pen to replace it. The rest is history

[@TheScotsmen1]

A lot of misinformation given there.

[@dans364]

After 15 minutes of watching I haven’t see the sword yet. Are there no photos of it?

[@davidg2143]

Who was the test cutter mentioned at the end of the story, and who gifted the sword?

[@psychoj265]

One last gripe anybody that's ever seen a World War II mass-produced sword. Should able to tell the difference from an authentic 400 plus year old sword

[@pokey354]

the destruction of so many historic artifacts is so not cool

[@Clint52279]

2:09 "Reconstruction?" Lame! A quality documentary would have video of the actual battle.

[@minhvisual4265]

Feel like I’m watching the beginning of lord of the rings. One blade to rule them all.

[@SandyRiverBlue]

There are no photographs or film of the sword, only a tracing (oshigata). There is every chance that it never existed.