I found an authentic, beautiful but battle-damaged, WWII Japanese sword in my grandfather's crawl space after he died.

I was 12 years old and we were helping my grandmother clean out her old home in rural, small town, Iowa, I found it while snooping in the back of an impossibly deep closet under the stairs. My grandfather was a Navy corpsman (medic) and received two silver stars for his actions on Iwo Jima. My grandfather never spoke of the war and nobody, not even my grandmother or my father ever knew about the sword. It was a real surprise to everyone when I found it. My grandfather did not display his awards, did not talk about the war, was not overtly proud of his service. He was the kindest, most gentle, loving grandfather a boy could have and I miss him to this day. I asked my grandmother for the sword and after 5 years she eventually gave it to me. It was the only item I inherited from my grandfather and I was very exited to have it. I kept it safe and secure for more than a decade.

I became very good friends, like brothers, with a Japanese exchange student named Ryo. When he graduated from the local university, he returned to Toyko, got a job, got married and now has a son. I sent my grandfather's sword with him when he left the US. I packed it in a very nice rifle case and asked him to return it to Japan. I didn't care what happened to it but I wanted to give it back for my grandfather. I sent with him a letter I wrote about my grandfather and thanked him for helping to restore our family's honor. I haven't told many people about that sword and it's been 15 years since I saw it. Until now I didn't want to tell anybody for fear of criticism. One of my male cousins swore me up and down for giving away my grandfather's heirloom, told me my grandfather would've been ashamed of me. I told my father about a year ago when he asked about it and he was very angry with me. I don't think my grandfather would've felt that way however because, while I understand why he picked it up and brought it home, I don't believe he was ever proud of it. The concept of "war booty" or the "spoils of war" is as old as war and time itself but, in the modern world, it doesn't necessarily make it right, not in my opinion. My grandfather hid it away for a reason, probably regretting ever having it, but I will never know. I want to believe I made my grandfather proud by returning it to the country of origin. I wish I could've returned it to the proper family but I know that sending it home with Ryo was good enough. I've never regretted giving the sword back, never missed it even for a moment. I do someday plan to ask my friend about it but it doesn't really matter.

I miss my grandfather so much though he's been gone for thirty years. He was a very good man and I only hope to be half the man he ever was.