A sword with the same characteristics as the sword of Kagoshima Jingu in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture, which was designated as a national treasure before the war and whose location was unknown due to requisition by GHQ after the war, was found in Australia.
The owner has indicated to NHK that he intends to return it in the future.
"Swordless Norishige", which was dedicated to Kagoshima Shrine in Kirishima City, Kagoshima Prefecture and was designated as a national treasure before the war, was requisitioned by GHQ after the war, and its whereabouts were unknown after that.
Australian sword lover Ian Brooks noticed that the sword had the same characteristics as the sword he bought at an internet auction four years ago and began investigating.
As a result, it was found that the length of the blade and the inscription engraved on the tsuba matched, and that the label that seems to have been wrapped around the pod had the characters "... Shimajingu" following the two unreadable characters. I did.
Furthermore, when I contacted Kagoshima Jingu, the numbers "32" and "81" on this label matched the records left on the Jingu side.
Mr. Brooks told NHK that he would definitely return this sword to Kagoshima Shrine after his death.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs is aware of the existence of this sword and is considering future measures.
"Norishige" was a swordsmith from the Kamakura period, and was dedicated to Kagoshima Shrine by Shimazu Narioki, the lord of the Satsuma domain, about 200 years ago.
Yoichi Inoue of Kagoshima Shrine said, "I was surprised because I thought I would never come back. I would be very happy if I could inherit it for a long time."
"Make sure that the sword will return to Kagoshima Shrine with a will ..."
Ian Brooks, a lawyer living in Melbourne, Australia, interviewed NHK on the 23rd.
Mr. Brooks is a sword lover who has been interested in the Japanese swords used by samurai in Japanese TV programs broadcast in Australia and has collected about 50 swords so far, and published an article about swords in a local magazine. I have done it.
I found this sword on an internet auction site four years ago, and I was convinced that it was the best sword I had ever seen. am.
According to the seller's information, the original owner is a man living in New York, USA, and Mr. Brooks said, "Given the age of the original owner, it may have been brought back from Japan to the United States as a civilian employee." He is currently hiring a private detective to find out more.
Regarding this discovery, Mr. Brooks said, "I think I'm very lucky. The quality of the sword is very good and I was very happy when I got it."
Regarding the requisition of swords by GHQ immediately after the end of the war, "I think the United States also tried to put important swords in Japan, but I think there was insufficient communication. It is a pity that good quality swords have gone out of the country. However, the lost swords are gradually being returned. "
On top of that, regarding future returns, "I want to have a sword while I am 66 years old, but the will will ensure that the sword will return to Kagoshima Shrine after my death." He said, "I want to visit Kagoshima Shrine someday."
142 cases of unknown location of important cultural properties
After the war, all the things that had been designated as national treasures by the enforcement of the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties have become important cultural properties, and among them, those with high value have been designated as national treasures.
According to the Agency for Cultural Affairs, there are 142 important cultural properties whose whereabouts are unknown as of March last year, of which swords account for more than half, 72.
In some cases, the whereabouts of swords were unknown due to the requisition of swords carried out in various places as part of the disarmament of Japan by GHQ after the war. rice field.
Currently, two cases, such as the "Tachi Mei Kunimune", which is dedicated to the Terukuni Shrine in Kagoshima City and is designated as a national treasure, have been returned to the prefecture.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs is aware that a sword with the same characteristics as "Unsigned Etchu" has been found in Australia and is considering future measures.