Land of 10,000 Stories: Centuries-old samurai sword spent decades in Minnesota basement

For decades the sword gathered dust among the canned goods in a Minnesota basement. It deserved better. Turns out the sword once belonged to a Japanese samurai, likely between 400 and 500 years ago. Boyd Huppert tells the tale of the sword in this week's Land of 10,000 Stories. kare11.tv/2DOH557
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[@azgunner]

These people could have sold the sword for money, but instead returned to the family of the sword owner?! What honor, respect, and kindness you guys have!!

[@RG-vc9nn]

You don't have any honor if you do such a thing by selling the sword. To give this sword back to the rightful family brings honor , which most Americans have to learn

[@oriplaydirty]

Such an American moment seizing any moment to make a quick buck🤮 slimy greedy vermin whose whole lives depend on corporations🤡

[@henrylivingstone2971]

@@RG-vc9nn It’s just a sword, calm down

[@kiatlow2412]

It is the right thing to do. It was take away by force. You can literally say it was stolen.@@RG-vc9nn

[@isaacharris6964]

Yeah I can’t believe it

[@tomword5619]

The quote “ that’s not our way “ brings faith in people back to me. Lost a lot of it thru the years. Hey you could get RICH with that, That’s not are way, it has to go back. I think you and your family are not only kind but honorable, thank you for sharing this everyone you did this guys heart good

[@jimdigriz2923]

Totally agree, when they said that and that the sword was going back I found myself smiling and nodding along with the screen.

[@Yusuf1187]

You couldn't get "rich" with it. Such swords are valuable but they'll fetch like $35,000 tops. You can see the prices that similar pieces fetch on antique auction sites like Sotheby's. Also the family obviously already is rich or at least very well-to-do. Look at their home. It wouldn't make much of a difference to them. Still, they're good people for returning it.

[@leninjohn1981]

Rick from Pawn Stars would be shaking his head

[@TheMEDvidz]

It is cool that they returned it... That is part of their history and some of them are sacred. Good job for them

[@ShimazuHanaji]

Very respectful family. Bless you all! 😍

[@Th3Mavr1ck]

right? Ancient history stolen from a foreign land? FIST BUMP

[@BruceWayne_87]

Japanese sword is sacred and play a huge part on their history. Big salute and respect to this family for sending it back home. 🙌🏻❤️

[@hernantuquero5969]

The sad part is that one of the pictures that was shown was soldiers about to destroy those hundreds if not thousands of Katanas. I'll bet a lot of them have the same background (Hundreds of years old) as this sword.

[@hotrod3395]

Here's hoping the Honjo Masamune resurfaces someday. Breaks the heart to think of it broken cutting trees in some backyard then thrown away.

[@kingbobofbobtopia3589]

I dunno if it's so bad. I kind of see it like Master Yoda leaving for Dagobah. Rather humbling I'd say.

[@hotrod3395]

@Alpha Wërks automotive You'd rather it be lost, of no value to anyone anywhere? How strange.

[@hotrod3395]

@Alpha Wërks automotive Your understanding of history is pretty limited, it seems. The United States and Japan are close allies, Japan is a treaty-bound ally, our armed forces train and even deploy together routinely. Everyone responsible for the atrocities during War is dead. This is why it is important that people like you get no say in these decisions. You would create a rift with some of our closest friends out of some pidgeon-brained desire to punish them for the crimes of a previous generation, ignoring the fact that you weren’t even alive when those crimes occurred and neither are any of the perpetrators of them. Japan paid dearly for the actions of its government, do you know how many people starved early in the Occupation? If the entire world has forgiven them and recognized the incredible transformation in their society and system of government, who on Earth are YOU to say it isn’t enough? Why would your opinion even remotely matter? The Third Reich systematically killed millions of people. Should the Allies have looted every German cultural artifact from centuries of regional history to teach them a lesson? Surely every piece of jewelry that ever belonged to a “German” ruler should be looted! To teach them a lesson, of course. You think like a Nazi / IJA soldier.

[@hotrod3395]

@Alpha Wërks automotive How do I know what you have a say in? Let’s start by pointing out that you use language like “lmao sure thing buddy.” You sound like a 12-year-old texting. Address the points I made or admit you can’t and slink away. I have seen more of the world and especially its darkest places than you ever have, I guarantee it. You know who responds to clearly elucidated points with “lmao” and insults devoid of substance? A child. And a dumb one at that.

[@lostpockets2227]

@@hotrod3395 idk who that alpha werks person is but you slayed them so hard they deleted their comments

[@richardsmith7322]

The fact that they gave the Katana back to its original descendants makes me happy. Being a sword collector I would of done the same thing saying that sword is a family air-loom would be an understatement! This is a very special story

[@danherrick5785]

Have you seen the movie The Challange?

[@RedRedMCmusic]

I’m about to move to Minnesota, seems like a bunch of nice people

[@cornholius]

I'm no expert, but I imagine a sword like that would sell for millions. In reality, It's priceless.

[@dirkvantroyen9170]

@@erichl1167 I doubt this will make even 10.000, there is so much damage

[@GTsuji]

What an incredible gesture. Much respect to the owner.

[@RG-vc9nn]

That was a humble thing to do and you honored this Japanese family in respect. I wish more people would act like this

[@MasamuneStreams]

I was hoping this would be a Masamune. Still, this makes me really happy that they sought out to return the sword to it's rightful place. It never sat well with me that US troops in WW2 confiscated most of Japan's legendary katanas

[@cooldaddyfunk]

Are YOU a Masamune?!

[@TheOpenCriticalmind]

Total respect for the values this family holds. Kudos

[@midnightfun1277]

Kudos to all of them. Love the ending and the story. Very heart warming and respect to each other cultures.

[@Follett2121]

So amazing to see them do the right thing with the sword! Fascinating.

[@taimermega6447]

What a great family, Allah bless you. MashaAllah

[@ghstsamurai-4172]

"that's not our way".... so happy to hear it. during ww2, american troops stole thousands of family relics that age back anywhere from the 1400's to the late edo period. i saw it and immediately said thats no type 95, 97, or 98 shin gunto which was the katana issued during ww2. it genuinely makes me happy that the blade made it back home, and it looks in decent condition minus the missing ito wrap. from everyone who practices japanese sword arts, and japan as a whole, thank you for returning a piece of history that could've made you rich, but your honor convicted you to send it back. Arigato! being given back a family relic like that would surely bring a massive celebration

[@blushinginfidels6962]

Thankfully this family relic and piece of history was returned to which it was taken from and DIDN’T END UP ON PAWN STARS being defiled and forgotten.

[@MinhOda978]

THE SWORD IS THE SOULS OF THE WORRIERS… HUGE RESPECT TO THIS FAMILY…

[@dec5747]

It hurts me to hear that "nobody really cared about it" and "almost ended up in a burn pit"

[@fukit8374]

That is much love and respect. Also the appreciatetion to a relic that represents a dynasty

[@mpaforoufakis]

what an honourable family... respect!

[@sombra6153]

Stephen Hunter used something like this in his novel, “the 47th Samurai,” a Bob Lee Swagger adventure. This was a very interesting story.

[@unworthy42]

It restores my faith in people to see them return such a treasure.

[@johns1853]

What a great story and so good the sword is going back to where it belongs.

[@dannywest9256]

They now have an entire country’s respect and love. Incredibly awesome!!!!

[@kenjhee]

The tag is called a "surrender tag" and contains the original owner's name or contact info. US officer's were required to bring back to the US a confiscated officer's sword in accordance with the peace treaty. The tag provided a way for the artifact to be someday returned to the original family, just like this wonderful family is doing.

[@SB-Kiwi]

Wonderful people with real morals. Great story.

[@ntplanet3089]

2:48 That's so sad all those swords had their own unique history and owners just like the sword in minnesota but we just destroyed it all 😔😭

[@duboisfrancois5697]

Just imagine if the dad didnt grab this one 😳😳😳

[@ntplanet3089]

@@duboisfrancois5697 yeah

[@cooldaddyfunk]

What a shame right?

[@rdarbus]

Did that guy really bow to that man? Too many movies man, too many movies. It is very commendable that you worked to RETURN something worth so much.

[@Giantist]

Amazing that they didn’t get greedy and returned it to Japan 👏 great people and a sensational discovery!

[@AsitdyaDsr]

Great these Americans returned it the samurai family descendants ( and museum) instead of selling to a pawn shop. What a honourable gesture. Rare. These are sacred and historic to them.

[@dariolamela2231]

This is so wholesome

[@johnsteed9083]

Amazing story and told to us as if we are five years old.

[@klumzi]

I wish more people were like them. So many long lost artifacts stolen during war and never gets returned. Most people who take them don't even know the true value of them. So glad this one wasn't thrown in a burn pit. I'm grateful for people like these men.

[@TheWolfDude91]

What an honorable family, rare sight. Wish you all the best.

[@richardsmith7322]

The time, concentration and effort that goes into those blades makes me feel that a really good sword can be more precious than gold. Others would agree and others would also call me crazy, but the story and history behind this PERFECT blade means the world to too many people, myself included. I’m waiting on a $400.00, 29 inch Damascus blade (real Damascus) wooden/buffalo bone handle with brass bolsters I ordered about a month ago but I’m not in a rush to get it because these swords are made on spot 8-12 hours a day of melting and folding the blade which is up to a 3 month process to make the perfect sword and with the sword I ordered ( battle ready) a Bastard sword (a short version of the long sword) made in medieval times with these swords being most commonly used in the 13-15 century’s BC in battle. I’m really looking forward to this sword I’m getting. The day it comes and that can be today possibly will be the probably only good thing to come out of 2020 so far lol what a country!

[@danherrick5785]

Well, did you get it? And if it's Damascus, I assume it's not Japanese?

[@richardsmith7322]

Yeah it’s a great sword

[@lowkeyscustomcars]

Great story !

[@kazemainihadi]

You are a family with big hearts

[@88997799]

First it needs to be restored... Then it will look amazing when its been done.

[@limabravo6065]

During ww2 japanese officers from prominent families with antique swords would forego an issued machine made sword in favor of carrying their ancestors weapon. In 2007 while stationed in Okinawa i got to watch a traditional swordsmith make a real katana while on leave and on mainland japan. From iron sand to finished blade the process is as artful as the finished blade

[@nl5607]

I’m sorry but I’d have kept it in honor of his fathers military service then again it is truly and literally a piece of Japanese history and nice to hear it’s going back home to the family. Great story ✌️😎

[@johnpambrun989]

Awesome to return the History of Warriors of old.....

[@sookie4195]

Excellent! This is my way too. ☮️

[@stephenhightowers5993]

What an AMAZING honor.

[@jenniferlawrence2988]

How awesome. Most people wouldn't return it. Wow!

[@denwest339]

It's really great. Good people exactly also here.

[@sangatsingh3378]

Awesome

[@hotomisakura6307]

OHHHHHH! 😮 LEGEND!

[@mikesmith7107]

Any follow-up to this? Anyone know what museum it currently resides in???

[@thomaswhite2802]

Nobunaga? Did I read that correct? Incredible story!!

[@BarbEricNinja]

The Katana belonged to descendants of the Oda Clan I can tell by the crest symbol

[@RedRedMCmusic]

That’s awesome

[@Paul_Martin_The_Japanese_Sword]

Is there a follow up video to this?

[@Marty-et9sx]

Ya, they said they were too afraid to fly and kept it. /s

[@darrenshan296]

@@Marty-et9sx source?

[@UnderGod-ie1lk]

Awwww they give it back way to goo !!

[@panmeilungdaini4353]

Very respectfully and reasonable family.

[@snipercorporation557]

Honestly great 2 family respectful

[@gilberthonda2133]

Now to hope that more swords can be found... (so many ancient swords were lost after ww2...)

[@coppertopv365]

Salute! Honorable..

[@CodyKatastrophic]

That sword probably WAS from WW2. many officers carried their ancestral family swords into battle and when the war was over, American soldiers were allowed to send home a sword and a gun.

[@moredistractions]

It would have been in a shin guntō koshirae if it was carried during the war. This one was most likely confiscated in occupied Japan.

[@XenXenOfficial]

Okay I can understand the sword, but the tag too??? God damn!!

[@noodles466]

Its awesome how they weren't trying to get money for it... its amazing

[@danherrick5785]

I believe if they knew what it was worth, it would have been alittle more difficult to do so. This thing could have easily exceeded 100k...

[@cooldaddyfunk]

Are there any follow up videos? Them making it to Japan? Giving it to the family?!

[@Shibtember]

thats awesome, cant believe that was a sword of a actual samurai.

[@midnightfun1277]

And for anyone wondering that sign itself is the mark of tokugawa. Its either a sword from a noble a famous warlord or royatly.

[@baloopatel8944]

Wow that’s amazing that you returned it. Most people would have tried to make some money off of it

[@johnwirk]

Wait....so the "friend" was given the sword and in return, supposedly not knowing of its worth, did a septic tank job in return for a piece of metal? They knew the worth, or at least septic man, and after he got it said, hey ill do your septic. Idk....doesnt make sense. Septic tank installations are like 5-10k easy.

[@masonjarhillbilly]

We have firearms that have been passed down for generations upon generations in my family. That was the right thing to do returning it to the family.

[@RyderKunAnimations]

I think the family crest on that katana belong to the oda clan

[@zekethefreak4]

Basically once the Japanese were defeated during world war 2 they were forced to give up every last weapon even down to their katanas which some had been in family’s heirlooms for thousands of years, these people are amazing souls for returning this artifact

[@penzorphallos3199]

This sword was taken and brought to the us. Imagine the countless treasures destroyed by the us army after ww2 or us airforce during their bombings.

[@SkaterOrnez]

I was just thinking of that too, I thought they'd dund something like this in the ground but then again, swords are usually passed down in the family

[@bsands29]

Did anyone get the family crest name?

[@danielhickey9000]

Honour ...

[@FullKarenMusic]

ahh...That looks to me like the Oda clan crest. As in Oda Nobunaga. Kinda of a huge deal.

[@hernantuquero5969]

The sad part is that one of the pictures that was shown was soldiers about to destroy those hundreds if not thousands of Katanas. I'll bet a lot of them have the same background (Hundreds of years old) as this sword.

[@doomsdaygray]

Amazing they returned it to the family! They will be rewarded with good karma 😊

[@justsomeguywithlonghair6595]

I wonder if they could find the honjo masamune

[@victormiquel6223]

Thats takigawa clan sword

[@omarab837]

the narrator sounds like George R R Martin

[@Huckleberry68]

Wow they did the right thing :)

[@tomodell2447]

Wow looks like his father

[@nawwk79]

Such Honor, the Japanese Samurai Way.

[@1922BluePhoenix]

im sure there are many more just laying around in basements

[@chanchaipiulueangsawat6100]

I still hate how the American destroy the samurai sword after WW2.

[@SeventyEightCivic]

I love that America defeated its enemy during WWII and disarmed them as they needed to be.

[@britasha1194]

Well, the good news is anime, manga and ofcourse hentai came into existence. lol

[@houseofzuma1033]

@@SeventyEightCivic I think the nuclear blight and radiation disarmed them enough

[@aaronforsythe8556]

@@houseofzuma1033 you dont get to keep your weapons when you surrender. Sucks that it was a messed produced sword but thems the breaks

[@NavyCorpsman81]

nonsense. I have my grandfather's Jap sword from Okinawa.

[@coryaprophet9360]

What need would we have it.

[@eduardocalderon2413]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@classclownee]

Any information on whose katana it was?

[@cretudavid8622]

A samurai's

[@darrenshan296]

@@cretudavid8622 name?

[@justahumebeing3017]

Of course it did..

[@katana1960]

Japanese sword collector here. Its a nice little story, but not that big of a deal. I have 40 of those in my gun safe. You can buy one just like it for about $1500 on ebay. The signature means a lot as far as value, but the Japanese have been faking signatures for centuries. You have to pay $250 in Japan to get the signature certified. If its a famous smith, there's a +90% chance that its a fake signature. Its still worth something, just not as much. It also costs about $3000 to get it polished.

[@amar7777]

So you want to tell me you spent $60000 on swords? If that’s true, why?

[@katana1960]

@@amar7777 I didn't go out and buy them all at once. It's called collecting. I bought one twenty years ago, then I bought another, then over time I bought a bunch of them. People who collect things do this all the time. It's called a hobby. My brother owns over 100 guns. I know a guy who has hundreds of toy trains. They're actually worth a lot of money.

[@amar7777]

Phil Yeah i know that. It’s still an incredible amount of money. I wasn’t hating on anything, it’s just the first time i heard that someone owns so many swords. It’s amazing and have you thought about showing your collection on KZbin?

[@Th3Mavr1ck]

@@amar7777 60 thousand on swords? there are swords worth 100k lol just one sword 😂

[@micahcampa]

@@Th3Mavr1ck yeah but those are exception not very many swords are worth that much most are worth in the 3k price range like he said

[@YoylecakeMapping]

Restoring the katana to it's owner or owner's relatives could take a long time.

[@TheMicroTrak]

I believe this sword is a "Tachi" rather than a Katana, since the bladesmith's marks are on the "wrong" side for a Katana. It was probably remounted with traditional military sword furniture before WWII. It would be wonderful to see it polished and restored!

[@micahcampa]

yea as long a there are no cracks and deep pitting in the blade it should be good

[@Th3Mavr1ck]

@@TheMicroTrak yeah, instead it gets a fist bump and a few instagram posts

[@thatretrocattt]

In some alternate universe, this blade would have been burnt just as they'd described.

[@d.b.1176]

Better people than me, I’d be selling it.

[@normansysy940]

This is an Enma Sword. The legendary sword of Oden.

[@alarbalarb]

looool

[@cannednolan8194]

Where’s momo sword. We found zoros

[@icantfindagoodytname6667]

enema sword

[@mckarov5818]

The precious markings are gone.

[@micahcampa]

what markings

[@Lfm2113]

**Humanity Restored**

[@thomasmalloy874]

better than money. the right thing to do.

[@Tory9242]

That mark is Oda clan

[@manfredrichthofen2494]

..an honorable American family

[@VotEtoPizdets]

This is the only way it should have ended. I commend the family for their decision not to profit from their situation and instead, do the right thing and return it to the rightful owners. This sword means little to foreigners but means everything to its country of origin. Imagine if the original declaration of independence was held by Russia. What would we be willing to do to get it back.