The mysterious disappearance of Japan's most legendary ceremonial sword
In short: The Honjo Masamune was the prized blade of the Tokugawa shoguns for two and a half centuries. After surviving the fall of the shogunate, this masterpiece vanished in the chaos following the Second World War. This investigation traces the history of the sword and its enduring legacy.
Forged in the 13th century by the renowned swordsmith Masamune, the Honjo Masamune is considered by many to be the finest Japanese blade ever created. It served as a symbol of authority for the Tokugawa shogunate for 250 years, remaining a family heirloom long after the shogunate collapsed in 1868.
The sword remained in the family's possession well into the 20th century, but its trail went cold in the aftermath of the Second World War. Its current whereabouts remain unknown, marking one of the most significant losses in the history of Japanese craftsmanship.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Search For The Lost Samurai Blade | Myth Hunters
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