WW2 Japanese Naval sword, Australia

[Bruce Gilbert]

Greetings

My father was given a Japanese naval sword, surrendered by a senior Japanese naval officer at Kuching, Borneo, at the end of WW2 in the Pacific. My father (a S/Sgt) was with the 2/12th Field Ambulance.

According to my father's hand-written comments, Japanese officers swords were presented (not sure by whom) " ... to our Commanding Officers, being for the 2/12th, the C.O. Lt. Col N H Morgan." LtCol Morgan passed the sword onto the Field Ambulance's post-war Association, which in turn gave it to my father, as a token of appreciation for his services to the Association

I think it is time for me to return it to it's owner/descendants/other.

I would appreciate any advice or thoughts as to how I can do this. I don't believe in selling it to a collector.

Thanks

Bruce Gilbert

[jack neville]

I'd get it valued first.

[Ed Storey]

"I would appreciate any advice or thoughts as to how I can do this. I don't believe in selling it to a collector."

Interesting! Yet you posted on a collector site, albeit for military vehicles, asking for advice.

[Lynn Eades]

Bruce, an interesting post.
I know nothing about Japanese swords, but a quick look on Giggle tells me that Japanese families had their own swords. If they never wanted to take their family swords to war, the government would issue them one.
So, there are possibly two sorts of owner;
1. the Japanese military,
or,
2. a particular family.
You would need someone to sort out what this sword is, and then decide if it goes back to;
A. the Japanese army (military??) or
B, a particular family.
I'm guessing your sword has a reasonable collector value? It has a history.
If it belonged to the Japanese military, I'm sure they have a few already.
If it goes to a family, would they, or a particular person appreciate the return of it.
What would they do with it???
Why not a collector?
Are you on this forum because you collect something?
As bad as collectors may seem, they are the people who appreciate these things, otherwise we would be playing golf (apologies Rob)
It would be interesting to hear your reasons for why you don't believe in moving it on to a collector.
The reason for my interest in WWII militaria is the technology of the day. I have never held a Japanese sword, but I'm sure I would be facinated by it, if i had it in my hands.
Some good photos would be nice to see.
If you cannot find a home for it you could entrust it to me! , and I could tell people the story of how I came by it! (I know that's not going to happen!)
Lastly, don't put too much faith in private museums.

It would be quite a story if it had its origins with an old Japanese family, and was returned to the family. The stuff of documentaries.
Keep us posted.

[Luke R]

I think Bruce is quite noble trying to return the sword to the family of the Japanese officer.
Just think if the shoe was on the other foot and someone came out of the wood work trying to return to you your fathers,grandfathers,uncles,brothers item.

Good job!

[David Dunlop]

Bruce.

You may have set quite a task for yourself. If the sword is of Imperial Japanese Navy issue, the odds are it will be identical to hundreds of such swords issued.

On the other hand, if it is a family sword, and it is old enough, there may be a family crest/symbol on the guard, or hilt, that could ID original owners. Might be worth checking the web first to see if there are any Japanese sword specialists about you could email photos to, in order to find out for certain what you actually have in your possession.

It could be a long shot, but you might also want to look at the sword's point of last possession by the Japanese Navy in Kuching, Borneo. Perhaps Australian Military Archives somewhere hold a list of Japanese Naval Officers who surrendered there to the Australian unit in question. That could narrow down the number of possible owners for you significantly, if the information can be found.

Keep us posted.

David

[motto]

The handle should be secured with a dowel that can be pushed or tapped out and then the handle removed to reveal the markings stamped on the tang.
No doubt there will be information somewhere on the interweb that explains what is what or perhaps a reference book is available that your local library can access.
These swords were the souvenir of choice and brought back by the hundred. I recall seeing a photo of a large pile of them at a surrender point, on Borneo I think.
I suspect the chances of it being a traceable family heirloom would be fairly slender but definitely a possibility.

David