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Returning the Sword: How a Japanese Sword of War Became a Symbol of Friendship and Peace
In 1945, just after the end of World War II, Captain Orval Amdahl brought home a Japanese sword as a souvenir of war. Sixty-eight years later, he gave it back.
Orval Amdahl grew up in rural Minnesota and enlisted in the Marines during World War II. In August 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending the war. Soon after, Orval’s division was sent to keep the peace in Nagasaki, and the devastation he witnessed there haunted him. When he returned home, he tried to move on, but he couldn’t forget the war—or the sword. And many years later, at the age of ninety-three, he got a chance to do something incredible. He met with the family of the soldier who had owned the sword and returned it to them.
A powerful story of war, peace, and reconciliation from author Caren Stelson and illustrator Amanda Yoshida.
Orval Amdahl grew up in rural Minnesota and enlisted in the Marines during World War II. In August 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending the war. Soon after, Orval’s division was sent to keep the peace in Nagasaki, and the devastation he witnessed there haunted him. When he returned home, he tried to move on, but he couldn’t forget the war—or the sword. And many years later, at the age of ninety-three, he got a chance to do something incredible. He met with the family of the soldier who had owned the sword and returned it to them.
A powerful story of war, peace, and reconciliation from author Caren Stelson and illustrator Amanda Yoshida.
44 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 12, 2025
This amazingly beautifully illustrated picture book is the true story of how an American soldier during the occupation of Japan, after WWII came to own a ceremonial sword, and how he held onto it for 68 years.
The American army collected all the weapons from the Japanese people, after the war, no matter if they were ceremonial swords, or real ones. Then they gave them to the soldiers as souvenirs to take home.
Orval took one such sword, but to him it was a work of art, so he took care of it, polishing it every day, until the author of the book came to interview him about what it was like in Nagasaki after the war.
And that started the wheels turning, to find the family whose sword it had been, and how Orval returned it to them in peace, during the International Day of Peace.
Sweet story. Wonderful that the author was part of the story about setting up the return of the sword to the family where it came from.
In the aftermath, she explains how it came about, and there is even a statement from the son of the original owner of the sword, and how it has a place of honor in his home.
Highly recommend it as a teaching example of how things can happen in war, and be resolved.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out on the 7th of October 2025.
The American army collected all the weapons from the Japanese people, after the war, no matter if they were ceremonial swords, or real ones. Then they gave them to the soldiers as souvenirs to take home.
Orval took one such sword, but to him it was a work of art, so he took care of it, polishing it every day, until the author of the book came to interview him about what it was like in Nagasaki after the war.
And that started the wheels turning, to find the family whose sword it had been, and how Orval returned it to them in peace, during the International Day of Peace.
Sweet story. Wonderful that the author was part of the story about setting up the return of the sword to the family where it came from.
In the aftermath, she explains how it came about, and there is even a statement from the son of the original owner of the sword, and how it has a place of honor in his home.
Highly recommend it as a teaching example of how things can happen in war, and be resolved.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is coming out on the 7th of October 2025.
July 24, 2025
Returning the Sword: How a Japanese Sword of War Became a Symbol of Friendship and Peace (Kindle Edition)
by Caren Stelson
As we are loosing the greatest generation to attrition, this story is a reminder of the affects of world war 2 that linger. The struggle of the soldiers to understand the affects of nuclear war and the devastation of Japan is one thing. But understanding the cultural appropriation and the idea of disarmament affecting families personally with not only personal property but family heirlooms surrendered makes the story personal. I feel its sad that one sword was returned. But see the restitution of this sword is symbolic of the healing that did not take place earlier.
by Caren Stelson
As we are loosing the greatest generation to attrition, this story is a reminder of the affects of world war 2 that linger. The struggle of the soldiers to understand the affects of nuclear war and the devastation of Japan is one thing. But understanding the cultural appropriation and the idea of disarmament affecting families personally with not only personal property but family heirlooms surrendered makes the story personal. I feel its sad that one sword was returned. But see the restitution of this sword is symbolic of the healing that did not take place earlier.
August 6, 2025
One of the things I love about picture books is how they can shine a light on lesser known parts of history.
This book tells the story of one man, but also tells the story of thousands—I had never heard anything about this part of World War II!
Simply written. Beautiful illustrations.
Thankful to learn about this incredible true story!
Huge thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read an eARC of this book!
This book tells the story of one man, but also tells the story of thousands—I had never heard anything about this part of World War II!
Simply written. Beautiful illustrations.
Thankful to learn about this incredible true story!
Huge thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read an eARC of this book!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews