A 17th-Century Japanese Wakizashi Unearthed in Berlin

Archaeologists in Berlin have made an astonishing discovery while excavating a former cellar in the city’s historic Molkenmarkt area. What was initially thought to be a simple military artifact from World War II turned out to be a rare Japanese Wakizashi, a short sword from the Edo period. This unexpected find has sparked intrigue and speculation about how such an object found its way to Berlin and what it reveals about the city’s hidden historical connections.

Excavation Uncovers War-Torn Relics and a Mysterious Sword

The discovery was made during the winter of 2022 when archaeologists from the Berlin State Office for Monument Preservation were conducting excavations in the Molkenmarkt area, particularly along Stralauer Street, reports the Berlin Staatliche Museum.

This street, once narrower than today, was the site of several residential and commercial buildings until they were destroyed during World War II. The destruction and subsequent urban redesign efforts in the 1960s left little trace of the original structures, but the remnants of cellars from these buildings have remained hidden beneath the modern cityscape.

As the archaeologists dug through the rubble-filled cellar vaults, they uncovered various militaria, including bridles, stirrups, curbs, and harnesses, likely hastily discarded in the chaotic final days of the war. Amidst these artifacts, a heavily corroded sword was found protruding from the debris.

Initially, it was believed to be a military parade saber, fitting the context of the other finds. However, further examination and restoration work at the Museum of Prehistory and Early History in Berlin would soon reveal the sword’s true identity.

Overall view of the Wakizashi sword after restoration. The fragmented textile wrapping with parts of the ray skin and the underlying decorative element made of copper (Menuki) are clearly visible. (Anica Kelp/ © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin)

Restoration Reveals the Sword’s Japanese Origins

The restoration of the sword at the Museum of Prehistory and Early History unveiled an extraordinary revelation. The corroded weapon was not a European saber but a Japanese Wakizashi, a short sword traditionally worn by samurai as a companion to the longer Katana. The sword’s handle, though damaged by heat, still retained remnants of its wooden structure and was partially wrapped in textile and ray skin.

As conservators worked to uncover the details hidden beneath layers of corrosion, they discovered a small ferrule on the handle, adorned with the motif of Daikoku, one of Japan’s seven gods of luck. Daikoku is easily recognizable by his iconic hammer and rice sack, symbols of prosperity and fortune.

Detailed view of the grip clamp (Fuchi) with the motif of Daikoku, one of the seven Japanese gods of luck, with a hammer in his hand (right) and a sack of rice (left). (Anica Kelp/ © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin)

Additionally, melted decorations featuring chrysanthemum and waterline motifs were found on the sword’s guard, further indicating its Japanese origins and dating it to the Edo period (17th to 19th century).

An X-ray examination conducted before the restoration provided another surprise. The images revealed that the blade had originally been longer, indicating it had been shortened at some point. The handle, likely not part of the original blade, had been added later, using only one of the two holes visible in the tang. This suggests that the sword was repurposed as a shorter Wakizashi, making the blade potentially older than the handle and dating it as far back as the 16th century.

X-ray of the Wakizashi with the two visible holes in the tang for attaching the wooden handle. It was found that only one of the two holes was used to attach the subsequently added handle. (Anica Kelp/ © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin)

The Mystery of the Wakizashi’s Journey to Berlin

The discovery of a Japanese Wakizashi in a Berlin cellar raises intriguing questions about its journey to the German capital. At a time when Japan was largely isolated from the rest of the world, how did this finely crafted weapon, typically reserved for dignitaries and samurai, end up buried in Berlin?

One possible explanation is that the sword could have been a gift from one of the Japanese diplomatic missions that visited Europe in the 19th century. The Takenouchi Mission in 1862 and the Iwakura Mission in 1873 were significant diplomatic endeavors aimed at fostering relations with Western powers, including Germany. The Molkenmarkt area’s proximity to the Berlin Palace, where these missions were received by King Wilhelm I (later Emperor Wilhelm I), suggests a potential link. However, the precise origins of the sword and its connection to the former residents of Stralauer Strasse remain speculative.

Slicing into Berlin’s Hidden Past

This unexpected find at Molkenmarkt highlights the rich and layered history that lies beneath Berlin’s streets. As Matthias Wemhoff, the State Archaeologist of Berlin and Director of the Museum of Prehistory and Early History, remarked, the discovery is a reminder of the surprising objects that await uncovering in Berlin’s soil.

Top image: Detailed view of the Japanese swords guard plate (tsuba) with the inlaid and melted chrysanthemum motif and the water lines.     Source: Anica Kelp/ © Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte

By Gary Manners