NT and IAO list and sword documents by US Gov 1945-1950

[Wah]

Hello folks,

This week I visited Washington DC to do my yearly research on Japanese swords. I went on to visit National Archives in College Park, MD where I found a file called “Sword List of National Treasures and Important Art Objects.”

I copied much information which indicates the turbulent times at the end of the war along with letters from the authorities and sword owners. Luckily most of these documents were translated in English! I felt that someone on the forum might find these documents useful in their studies.

One of the folders had a few actual photos of some of the lost swords. I got these for photos for Morita san, but would be happy for anyone to see them. Perhaps some of you already have these photos, but in case you do not, it is my desire to share what I have.

Pictures or oshigata and photos I have:

N.T. by Shume no kami Ippei Yasuyo, Photos

I.A.O. Masahiro, Photos

I.A.O. Narimune, oshigata and photo

Also have others like the Aoe and Tadayoshi which are on Jim K’s old site

I will be scanning these letters and documents in the next few weeks.

To keep me from going crazy with requests, What is the best way to put these up so everyone may have these documents? Can there be a special place on the forum for these or do I have to do a webpage myself?

Stephen Thorpe

[christianmalterre]

Very interesting!

just by the way-what is meant with "Botanzukuri"???

(Chart of missing items-post 14-Aso Shrine)

Somebody could enlight me?

 

Christian

[Eric H]

just by the way-what is meant with "Botanzukuri"???

Koshirae

 

Eric

[christianmalterre]

Thank you Eric!

[Wah]

Here is the IAO Narimune.

Has this one been found yet?

 

And the IAO Masahiro

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen Thorpe

[Brian]

Stephen,

Excellent work! I find these docs fascinating, and would love to read more.

Would be happy to host some/them here, or compile them into a pdf doc and host in the articles section. Amazing to see what was going on in the background around swords. Sad to hear of people destroying National Treasure swords instead of handing them in. Must have happened a bit.

Keep us updated.

 

Brian

[Wah]

Stephen,

Excellent work! I find these docs fascinating, and would love to read more.

Would be happy to host some/them here, or compile them into a pdf doc and host in the articles section. Amazing to see what was going on in the background around swords. Sad to hear of people destroying National Treasure swords instead of handing them in. Must have happened a bit.

Keep us updated.

 

Brian

Yes, it is very sad but if we are in the study of Nihonto it is part of our history. I feel that every nihonto enthusiast has the right to know.

I have about 130 copied pages that will shed light on the the disturbing days after the war. I will see what I can do in the way of a pdf file and get back with you Brian. I guess i did not think of a pdf file.

My excuse is that my mom is a blond,...maybe it rubbed off..LOL!!

[christianmalterre]

have to confess that equally for me here(and mine focus always was-and ever will be rather China(in art)and Koryu(in Japanese artifacts)those scans did somehow impress me here...

Also i just did learn something new,again(which-to be honest never did touch me much till yet)

If you ever shall intend so to work you out an pdf-please do let me know this,too

No worry-i will pay you that copy of course-which would be an honour!

Thank you "Wah" !

Alone those names depicted-already did help a very much in mine research....

 

Christian

[Wah]

have to confess that equally for me here(and mine focus always was-and ever will be rather China(in art)and Koryu(in Japanese artifacts)those scans did somehow impress me here...

Also i just did learn something new,again(which-to be honest never did touch me much till yet)

If you ever shall intend so to work you out an pdf-please do let me know this,too

No worry-i will pay you that copy of course-which would be an honour!

Thank you "Wah" !

Alone those names depicted-already did help a very much in mine research....

 

Christian

 

Christian,

I am happy the information has helped your research and you are welcome. I will not charge a dime but if you feel you want to donate, when the project is complete, please contact Brian and make out your contributions to NMB.

I am just happy myself that these documents were saved by folks who knew their importance to Japanese sword researchers.

 

all the best, S. Thorpe

[Wah]

NMB,

Here is a letter from Iguchi, Masukichi to General Headquarters (General MacArthur) asking for the return of his Important swords on Oct 12 1946. Second page lists swords missing along with values.

 

Stephen Thorpe

[christianmalterre]

:D

Meinen herzlichen Dank!(so i will do-in regard of your´s kind former post,BTW)

 

Christian

[kusunokimasahige]

It is a treasure trove you have found there

 

As a historian I am also very interested in reading more. I find it very commendable you are willing to take the laborious effort of scanning these documents for the rest of the forum members and the world. Do the documents have an inventory list by any chance ? Or are they a random collection ?

 

Very very interesting all this !!

 

KM

[Wah]

It is a treasure trove you have found there

 

As a historian I am also very interested in reading more. I find it very commendable you are willing to take the laborious effort of scanning these documents for the rest of the forum members and the world. Do the documents have an inventory list by any chance ? Or are they a random collection ?

 

Very very interesting all this !!

 

KM

 

KM,

Thank you for your question. Most of this is just random. These documents are mostly about the NT and IAO swords that were lost.

I do have a list that indicates, ....as of Nov 30 1945, 569,013 swords of historic and artistic value were handed in. Only 86,000 had a certification issued. These were from all the prefectures listed.

I will start on the scanning on Monday and see if we cant get this done in a timely manner. Thanks everyone for your intrest,

 

I wanted to ask if anyone knew if Tadao Iwasaki... (I think he is the founder of Mitsubishi) lost his collection of swords. I have a list from his hand of many important swords he owned. I dont know if this is a lost list or a registration list. There is also a list from H. Iwasaki... I guess a family member.

Stephen Thorpe

[Brian]

For those with any interest in Nihonto or WW2 swords or any other aspect thereof, I am very happy to announce that Stephen's compiled documents have now been uploaded as a pdf document, and are available for download in the articles section that is for registered members.

I will give registered members a few days to go there and get the link, and then will post the link here a week later for those that are lurkers and aren't signed in.

It is the last article in the list. This contains some amazing info, such as the owners of National Treasure swords who lost items, the circumstances, and in some cases even the Govt replies about why they weren't willing to investigate their return. The lists of swords really hits home. Mentions of swords such as the Honjo Masamune and others. Many forced to be handed in to police stations contrary to policy at the time. Fascinating reading!

Very interesting work, and thanks go to Stephen for his work on this. Some extracted info might make for a very good JSSUS newsletter article (hint hint)

The link will be up forever, so no need to rush to download it. It is about 110 Megs big, so not a quick d/l for many.

 

Brian

[Grey Doffin]

Great idea, Brian. This is a wealth of very interesting information. If someone here would be willing to work on this, compose it into a series of articles or even whole issues of our Newsletter, please contact me. I'll give whatever help needed and let you take all the credit. Love to see this arranged logically in print.

Grey. JSS/US Publications gdoffin@cpinternet.com

[Brian]

I think it would be best to ask for Stephen's permission first

Although public domain docs...he was the one who went to the trouble of scanning and compiling them.

 

Brian

[Grey Doffin]

Oops; my bad. I have written to Stephen.

Grey