[ARCADIA]

That sword is probably worth several thousands of dollars, and may very well be 400-500 years old. What a waste.

[The KG9 Kid]

I don't know much about Japanese swords, but I do recall hearing from a good authority that the ancient family treasure swords carried by young Imperial Japanese officers in the war were always refitted with an utterly plain wooden haft and scabbard in order to preserve the original delicate and priceless ornamental hafts and scabbards which stayed back home.

There were a lot of swords made just before the war that are junk by comparison, but still pretty good swords. Nothing like the craftsmanship of an ancient feudalist period sword, at least. Some of those supposedly cost a year's income to the original owners.

That sword has what looks like a common haft and scabbard, but once again I'm no authority.

I wonder how many captured swords are in Allied veteran's hands to this day where they haven't got any idea what they're worth?

I know that I'd sure like to have one that's 350 years old and can slice a thick feather pillow in half in mid-air.