In a remarkable discovery beneath Stralauer Street in central Berlin, archaeologists have unearthed a rare Japanese wakizashi sword dating back to the Edo period, which spans from the 17th to 19th century, Miami Herald reports.
The find is particularly significant considering the street’s tumultuous history during World War II, when it was reduced to rubble, according to the report.
As per a press release from the Staatlichen Museen zu Berlin (State Museums of Berlin) dated August 22, the modern buildings lining Stralauer Street are a stark contrast to the devastation experienced during the war. Prior to its destruction, the street featured narrow buildings that extended to the edge of the roadway, which were subsequently demolished due to redesigned traffic patterns. However, the cellars and basements of these former residential and commercial buildings remained relatively intact.
Archaeological excavations of these cellars began in winter 2022, revealing a treasure trove of artifacts, including remnants of the destroyed structures. Among the wartime military items discovered were bridles, stirrups, curbs, and harnesses, which archaeologists believe were hastily discarded into the cellars during the final weeks of the conflict.
The excavation team made a surprising find when they unearthed a heavily corroded short sword protruding from the rubble of residential buildings known as “Stralauer Strasse 7-9.” Initially assumed to be a parade weapon belonging to a German soldier, further investigation revealed that the sword was in fact a Japanese wakizashi. Upon cleaning, archaeologists noted a preserved motif of Daikoku, one of the seven gods of luck in Japan, depicted alongside chrysanthemums and a waterline.
An X-ray examination of the sword indicated that it had originally been longer, with the wood handle added later. The blade portion could potentially date as far back as the 16th century, showing its historical significance. Despite the intriguing findings, the circumstances leading to the sword’s presence in a Berlin cellar remain a mystery.
The museum noted that there were two notable diplomatic missions from Japan to Europe in the late 1800s — the Takenouchi Mission in 1862 and the Iwakura Mission in 1873 — during which Japanese dignitaries met with Wilhelm I at his palace. However, no direct connection has been established between these missions and the owners of the former homes along Stralauer Street.
