Minnesota Stories: Return of the Sword

www.mnhs.org/ The oral history of a World War II veteran, recorded and made accessible online by the Minnesota Historical Society, leads to a powerful moment of peace in St. Paul in the fall of 2013.

[@acfanboy1997]

"This story is about the power of a story." 10/10 writing

[@NotStephenColbert]

Reminds me of all my English classes in high school and college, when the teachers would ask for a ridiculous number of words. Then they would get mad at us for using fluff to meet their requirements, even though they asked for something like 10 pages on a topic worth several pages of material.

[@Wayne_R]

@@NotStephenColbert yeah I got punished all the time for being good at summarizing. just because I wrote what everyone else wrote with half the words is not my fault. No student left behind is the biggest bull-shit in American education punish gifted students to help the dumb ones and no I'm not saying I am gifted because I can summarize. I just witnessed this over and over

[@da_pawz]

a very good opening

[@garyfreeman2254]

That's why they are known as the greatest generation.

[@christiangreathouse9946]

Yes they truly are..

[@jeremiahsiena1918]

Rgr that...

[@Michael-gh1tj]

@I Hate Toy Story 4 this guy was a well trained marine im sure he would beat the shit out of you even if you had the sword

[@abrb1223]

@I Hate Toy Story 4 It was common practice back them to take war trophies. Every side did it. The action was wrong, but the men who committed the action is not.

[@Rphcp]

@I Hate Toy Story 4 glad to know you sympathize with the murderous Japanese empire. Maybe they shouldn’t have invaded 80% of Asia if “samurai swords belong in Japan” only you idiot

[@jan_phd]

I own my great grandfather's sword, it looks exactly like this one.. It's a ceremonial officer's dress sword, not used for killing but for standing and having a portrait made with.

[@tulsaguy9963]

Thank you for the information! You are lucky to have such a treasure!

[@Jklopoppcorn]

my grandfather served in ww2 for the swiss army and they gave him 2 identical swords for his service which I own now and treasure dearly. its weird how humans can get so emotional over a piece of metal, but then again it makes a lot of sense to me as well.

[@Callsign_Prophet]

Still a beautiful gesture

[@michaelwhisman7623]

Have the tang read. Many swords look modern but are actually family swords that were given new handles, guards, and scabbards so they could be worn with the uniform. I have bought many ancient swords for the price of a modern WW2 sword. My good fortune.

[@jan_phd]

@@michaelwhisman7623 - I have a better idea, I'll sneak into the cemetery, dig up my great grandfather's remains, and water board him! Would you be satisfied then?

[@okitasan]

This sword was an officer's standard issue military sword (though I'd be curious to know what kind of blade it has, as some gunto were contemporarily manufactured and others were ancient ancestral blades), but one of the crazy things that happened after WWII was that thousands of antique heirloom swords were gathered up in accordance to the de-arming of Japan--swords that were hundreds of years old, important cultural artifacts, and either taken back to the US or even melted down. It's thought that one of the most famous lost swords of Japan, the Honjo Masamune, might be collecting dust in some random garage in the US, the people who have it completely unaware of its significance.

[@heartproblems2727]

This is why they are called " the greatest generation"..god bless.

[@spasjt]

That manly hug brought a tear to my eye.

[@matthewmosley5693]

These were/are REAL men , I know because my dad was one of them .He fought in the Pacific theater in that war . Honor , duty , humility , integrity and dignity , nothing like the empty husks that wander aimlessly through this world now , I know that too , because I'm one in comparison to my father .

[@jtalbot34]

matthew mosley my grandfather as well... he was an amazing man of honor who died in 1985. I miss him I was only 11 when he passed so I didn’t know him very well but what I remember with stories of him told me what type of man he was. Thank you for your father’s service! 🙏🏻

[@andrewbantick6311]

Unless you have served people don’t understand

[@frankless4672]

@@andrewbantick6311 Check out the first comment according to those replies everyone knows lololol you probably don't even want to read the first comments replies. They just make you feel bad for humanity

[@CuttySobz]

Every generation thinks the generations before them were so much greater regardless of the truth. In reality those men were just like us in most ways. Flawed and imperfect in many ways. Why people romanticize the past so much.. I might never know.

[@whateverwhatever4476]

@@CuttySobzI guess you could say it's a rose tinted view of the previous gen

[@anthonyxavier6300]

That katakana is a true symbol of war and peace because of what Mr. Orval did. RIP 🙏

[@rickmacpherson1413]

This is the America that I know, but sadly today it’s Me, Me Me! The true patriots seem to be far and between. God bless Orville for you fortitude and wisdom and your huge heart to reach out to the Japanese family whose ancestor was the right full owner!

[@JohnHill-qo3hb]

Me, me, me and how much can I get for it on eBay...

[@onceuponatuba]

I'm crying. A thousand times! Greets from Germany, Egi

[@julreyacademia9484]

let there be peace on earth!

[@er1073]

Thank you sir from one Marine to another for what you did to keep me free and to serve in the Marine Corps for 20 years, Thank you for your service Captain of Marines.

[@henryjamesmanalo2322]

The world needs men like these with big💖 for peace, they will be remembered and cherished even they are no longer present.

[@暁夕暮]

This is respectful. I can't help crying.

[@parkerparker9092]

This is an incredible story.

[@spreadeagled5654]

This story renews my faith in humanity. Peace/reconciliation.

[@markmark2080]

It's mind boggling the labor and craftsmanship that went into creating those swords. When one was surrendered at the end of the war, it wasn't like turning over a rifle that was issued to you...

[@peterlutz7191]

America has it right, when the war is over, lend a helping hand to the vanquished.

[@overlordwarlordtheomnilord9473]

That always did surprise me, to see how much destruction America caused and then repair it and give Japan a new government that sent the country into the future and now seeing how much Japan sorta idealize America is just weird but understandable

[@Jklopoppcorn]

@@overlordwarlordtheomnilord9473 I mean, the Japanese people just needed a little help realizing the grass was greener when you take steps towards democracy, and one away from imperialism. Look at them now too! one of the most powerful nations in Asia, and debatably the most stable economy in that region, esp with china messing up a lot now.

[@s.leemccauley7302]

Especially since they attacked us first. Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941 The day that will live in infamy. We rebuilt Europe as well.

[@zachcramond3252]

Must be hard working together with the guy that blew u up yesterday.

[@Jklopoppcorn]

@@zachcramond3252 it’s hard to think the Americans would’ve even wanted to help them after Pearl Harbor but it seems governments can be useful after all every once in awhile

[@ogunwatomisin2280]

I lived and studied in Nagasaki for 4 years. I visited the peace park where the atomic bomb was dropped annually. I met a survivor once. Peace ✌️ should be the greatest pursuit of everyone. Let there be peace

[@djwille88]

Man, I just shed a tear...

[@94Whiskey]

Such a moving story of humanity....

[@harleypiper]

Thats just incredible, respectable and honorable as you can get. fantastic story and outcome.

[@andrewbantick6311]

REspect Sir a man who understands why we need peace

[@sfqu1]

i am so deeply touched.

[@Nairuulagch]

Peace is only humanities survival way.

[@saytax]

Actually it's war, but humility is important.

[@christopherfisher6293]

Right feelings always follow right actions. Well done Sir!! You have given closure to your past, well done,

[@mestes1969]

Thank you all for bringing this story to me. My dad, my uncle my grandfather and my 1st cousin we’re all in the military, I could not follow due to a failed hearing test during my physical and I was disqualified from all branches of military service but hearing this story which brought me goosebumps all over. God Bless u all

[@rurounikenshin9948]

Damn thats one beautiful katana! The owner might be rich.

[@NathanVeee]

It's a military sword used in WW2. It may worth hundreds or thousands, but it's still history

[@thomasohanlon1060]

@@NathanVeee From what I see that is no issued katana, if photos were taken of the tang which is where the sward smiths mark is would tell a lot about the hisory of that blade and family.

[@NathanVeee]

@@thomasohanlon1060 still, it belongs to a family. Best to gave it back

[@VoiceofReason-pg6qf]

Peace is to life. War is to death.

[@matthewgambling]

I don’t think some people understand that these swords are family heirlooms in Japan. You hear a lot about flags being returned but swords are rare, these swords are 400-500 years old if not older, they were carried by the ancestors of these people you were samurai. It takes a lot to return one of these I mean these things are worth thousands of dollars but money doesn’t mean anything when compared to family history. I couldn’t imagine getting one of these back, these swords are your family and it’s history on this earth. Very noble thing todo for this man, I mean you have to sword but deep down it does not belong to you, it belongs to them. I think all swords taken in WW2 deserve to go home, they are priceless. It was not stealing to have originally taken these things, they were just borrower, cherished and now they will come home to their rightful owners. If I was a WW2 vet I wouldn’t be able to leave this earth until I returned a sword I got in 1945.

[@Arbeedubya]

Maybe they should have researched how many Chinese or Filipinos or American prisoners of war the sword was used to behead.

[@parkerparker9092]

That's a good point.

[@daveyboy_]

it is what it is

[@stormywindmill]

Agree 100 %

[@jimfausset8122]

What a very honorable thing to do

[@erichvonmolder9310]

Miles and miles of heart!

[@ant-1382]

Honour at the highest level!

[@retiredtom1654]

What a wonderful, moving jester. I have a Japanese flag that one of my uncles got in the pacific during WW II. There are no marking on the flag and he died before I knew about it and could find out anything about it. I wish I knew who the relatives were of the man who, probably gave his life, possessed his nations flag during those time of sacrifice and giving the full measure.

[@MrSilver261]

what a beautiful gesture !

[@haukepowers8491]

wonderful uplifting story...this how all people should be...

[@robertmiller7756]

Thank you for a wonderful video..love seeing stuff like this

[@melvinnizelalarca8423]

Peace is so simple yet powerful to unite us.

[@markhepworth4804]

It will cut.

[@petejohnson8590]

This is powerful, sadness turned into true humanity, I cried, my heart filled with the joy of hope for the world, 🙏 ❤️ 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽, what was a war weapon turned into a symbol of peace ✌️ that is true Victory for us all.

[@SunilSingh-xw2hg]

The greatest generation of all time ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@palomino73]

We need more stories like to warm our hearts and lighten these dark days... There are some stories of such trophy-returnings decades after the events, stories of late reconciliations between former enemies - and I like each and every one of them ! Anyone who knows about the fact that a sword for a japanese person is so much more than "just a weapon/tool", but a token of personal and the family's honor and devotion will understand, that I like this story in particular !

[@NetUser-qm2ks]

What a nice story to hear. Especially nowadays where cable news channels deliver stories with anger, sadness, some craziness and not to mention anchors that share their own opinions about topics that are supposed to be reported as a news story. Oh well, perhaps it will change eventually. Again though, thanks for sharing... 👏🏽😎👍🏽🌎✌🏽

[@charliejohnson304]

Awesome 👍

[@BunnySconce]

My children's great grandfather brought an officers sword back from Guadalcanal along with a medal. Unfortunately there is no tag or clues as to that family.

[@steveb6103]

It can still be traced because the craftsman-Artest will have signed it. Most likely that would be under the handle. But don't remove the handle this is a job for a expert. After my father passed away we found a skull of a Japanese pilot in a box with a note asking for it to be returned. Witch we did and after 72 years the family could have closer.

[@thecofieldcollection3792]

I know of another sword that made it from Oxford, MS to Japan like this one, to the Japanese soldier's family. In return, a Japanese maple was sent to Oxford and lives there today.

[@dennishein2812]

Well done sir.

[@jpallen719]

😪😪😪 that’s a true American. A peace maker......

[@BruceWayne_87]

A Soldier paying respect to his Enemy.. Salute to all the World war soldier who fought for their country. 🙌🏻❤️

[@leemason5953]

Sword is most probably worth about 80-100 grand depending who made it,the makers name will be under the tsuba or hand guard. Nice video,these videos always give me a lump in the old throat.👍👍

[@althesmith]

Not unless it's a very famous maker. More likely worth under 10 grand. The maker's name would not be under the hand guard, it would be on the tang of the sword under the grip which is held on by a peg. Sometimes the date might be added. It might be traditionally made from start to finish, or made with traditional techniques but with modern steel. They were making some blades traditionally right towards the end of the war. Or it could be an older family blade in military mounts. Again, without the grip removal and a tang reading, it could have been made during the war, a few years before the war or three hundred years ago.

[@paulbradford8240]

What a Gentleman.

[@wv1swlamatswl523]

War forces us to do what we must, when we must, as ugly as it is.. Peace is it's last act, shedding the ugly face of war, for something far more beautiful if carefully preserved...

[@mihai69stoian]

Real HONOR,so rare today!!!

[@stevesyncox9893]

Def pulled the tears of joy.

[@dougshelton69]

Good story but if not for the bomb..what do think this sword might have done or has done? No disrespect.my dad was a navy man on a destroyer USS MELVIN...❤🇺🇸

[@RBNZ-lg9cy]

So freaken amazing I cried a few times during this haha but seriously to see two countries that were killing each other and dropping Nukes on each other now they are in peace and harmony it’s truely the most human thing I’ve seen in all of 2020

[@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606]

Japan didn’t drop nukes on the US

[@peterpengproductions920]

​@@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606 Well, nukes are hard to justify but don't forget who started it all by attacking pearl harbor.

[@jamesgleeson6538]

Honour speaks many languages

[@Koda716]

That sword is beautiful he kept good care of it

[@Hairysteed]

There are 762 ninjas in this video They're all cutting onions

[@grugthecaveman4565]

May we never shed each other’s blood again

[@mrshifter8220]

Great story, thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas to all and don't forget to put Christ in your Christmas.

[@lpatlau7024]

The man who see all horror scene . Truly see the day he wish for.

[@brentvenneman6710]

respect

[@myrtistaylor5759]

I don't know i think i would of kept the katana, the honor of the owner of the sword became his honor when he returned home with it, At least in my eyes. I would of passed it on to my kids.

[@parkerparker9092]

And there would be no shame for you in keeping the katana. I believe I would've kept it too.

[@user-tu7cq2ww4f]

日本刀の輝きは消えない。 そして友情も。

[@トーキ-g8v]

深いなぁアニキ

[@KevinDiazx11]

Wooow just wow

[@WanderingShadow100]

but.. but. is it a Hattori Hanzo sword ?

[@dannypope3008]

From the movie, "Kill Bill". I get it.

[@dimholtroad]

Wonderful !

[@haraldisdead]

Japanese men don't hug. That was very gracious.

[@RemoteCamper]

Those swords in Japan are highly regulated. When that sword gets back "home" it may be destroyed if its not deemed historically good enough or if the family cannot afford the permit to keep it.

[@tonyv8925]

Considering the publicity around this sword, the family will most likely be given a provisional permit.

[@DK-gy7ll]

I'm pretty sure those details were worked out long before the handover ceremony took place.

[@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606]

A sword surviving the atomic blast in Nagasaki is historic enough to gain a permit to own for the family also it’s a ceremonial dress sword not a combat carried sword

[@Jelk243i]

​@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606 In Nanjing, many Chinese were killed by japanese swards.

[@imnobodywhoareyou4588]

Meanwhile....pawnshops in US is negotiating for the price of this war “trophy”.

[@TheRetirednavy92]

Rick from Pawn Stars offered $50.00

[@Sarconthewolf]

@Projekt Kobra LOL

[@BorisTheSpyder]

Its probably worth a small fortune. What makes this a great story is that its not even mentioned. Its priceless to that Japanese Family, even if its worth $1.

[@Rphcp]

@@TheRetirednavy92 “best I can do 50”

[@Dang3rMouSe]

My grandfather was also awarded a Japanese officer's katana that was likewise tagged & documented. He was 2nd in command aboard his cruiser in the Pacific theater. Would have loved to have participated in a similar ceremony of return as we kept it in great condition but sadly some thieves broke into his place & robbed him of this as well as other prized possessions from his service & time abroad. I'm afraid some idiot likely got a hold of it & didn't know it's sentimental, family or financial value & just thought it was a cool Japanese sword.

[@anvilhead59]

A samurai sword is NOT a symbol of war, it is something more. Too bad the lady from Minnesota did not know that.

[@tristanbackup2536]

It's an extension of one's spirit. Japan has a culture where all objects have souls. Goes back throughout their history of many gods of everything.

[@stugt]

Orval Howard Amdahl May 26, 1919 ~ February 17, 2015 (age 95) RIP

[@gcdiver]

Awesome story.

[@MrElPoderozo1]

Watch and learn people, watch and learn.

[@docb.9908]

Great story.

[@525Lines]

Many old swords were left at the surrender ceremony on the USS Missouri. Can those be returned?

[@commenter7893]

No because those were surrendered officially. The Japanese government did horrible things as well.

[@525Lines]

@@commenter7893 We all did horrible stuff. It just seems like a decent thing to do because a lot of those swords were family heirlooms.

[@kennethfharkin]

@@525Lines Google Unit 731 and go from there. Horrible things happen in wars, then there is what the Japanese did to any who fell into their hands. It is trendy to equivocate but Imperial Japan was truly evil and could easily have eclipsed the evil of Nazi Germany if they had the time.

[@525Lines]

@@kennethfharkin And there are reports of prisoner's livers being removed and eaten. America subjected troops to radiation to see how they'd handle it. Hell, the people handling the prisoners in the First Gulf War were starting to do some terrible stuff. And I'm not even going to mention what America did during the Indian Wars. We're ALL capable of war crimes.

[@kennethfharkin]

@@525Lines The experiments with radiation on US troops were truly done out of ignorance, they seriously thought a ditch would be effective! I believe you are mixing up your Gulf wars. The first was in response to the invasion of Kuwait and it was concluded so quickly, with any Iraqis taken handed over so quickly I don't think anything happened of note, at least while in US custody. The second Gulf War saw some distasteful stuff done but we are talking about minor humiliation. Not right but also nothing near the scope of what happened with Japan or was routinely carried out by the Middle Eastern states we were dealing with. As far as waterboarding the bastards who were setting IEDs... As far as I am concerned they were running around out of uniform conducting attacks on coalition troops. That is the definition of a spy and saboteur and makes them ineligible for protections. They could have been simply lined up along a wall and shot. Roll it back 150 years and the westward expansion had some screwed up shit going on. It was also far from one sided, just one side was better armed. Not a pretty period but again that was a guerrilla war in the 1800s. Wars suck and bad things will always be done. The shit Japan carried out though was truly next level shit though as in "let's keep taking pieces off and see what happens to him" level.

[@yuliusmanuputty9250]

Good people

[@bendakstarkiller1270]

A ver honorable decision. My respect to both families.

[@CannibalLecter]

Respect.

[@tedgamma8650]

Amen

[@Bullfy890]

How come there are idiots that hit the dislike button its beyond me !!

[@caneloalvarez3530]

Wow look at that hamon... expensive sword

[@indonesiaradja248]

*In his heart said to the American soldier, I still have a grudge against you!*

[@catxnc]

well done sir

[@sheepdog1102]

About a 50,000.00 or more sword, but it was the right thing to do.

[@jmanko]

Pawn Stars has five on the shelf just like that for $10k to $20k and all of them are much older.

[@windwalker8058]

Yeah I wonder how many POW's lost their heads to that sword!

[@haukepowers8491]

that's like blaming the weapons used throuhout the eons of time for all deaths...you can't...people do what they do IN WAR....We must be able to forgive to move forward in peace...

[@terrysmith4831]

I have a War Prize katana I purched decades ago. I know the name of the craftman that made it by hand and that it was made at the end of the 19th century. Sadly I have no way of finding out who it was made for. I also found out the the Japanese government will only allow repatriation of swords that have historical or cultural significance. So how did this Japanese family get permission to bring the sword back to Japan?

[@johnmanole4779]

What about the japanese soldiers skulls that the american have took as trophies?

[@r3zaful]

Hotarumaru still lost

[@jboy2621]

Yeah war sucks.. Amazing what swords, flags, and diaries do to bring two nations together.

[@henkerosen996]

Almoust 200k Sword 😍🥰

[@tripacer8259]

A real American......

[@zinalexzender6933]

Native Indian?

[@sgtNUKEtroop]

beautiful story ... too bad when the sword got back to Japan the government cut the blade off .. the family was only able to retain the handle with one inch of blade left and the scabbard .. take care .. Michael

[@GriffinKneesock]

That didn’t happen but ok.

[@Constantine50]

If the sword is a modern made sword called a Gendai which it was hand made or a Shinshinto,Shinto, or a Koto sword then the Japanese government would allow the sword to remain intact.

[@tristanbackup2536]

Eh. What? Where did you got your info from?

[@auxmike718]

Sword may be radioactive.

[@shaggyrumplenutz1610]

Would have kept it.

[@hoasjhdfiadsf]

and then they restored it and put it into GUNTO fittings which is a nationalistic power play. .... If this sword is truly historical it should have been put into recreated original (presumed) fittings, not from the period of militaristic/fascistic Japan but from Muromachi period......

[@tylerdutton346]

It will Keaal