PHOTOS: Land of 10,000 Stories: Centuries-old samurai sword

Boyd Huppert, KARE

Japanese characters that helped identify the samurai sword which will be returned to Japan.

Boyd Huppert, KARE

Jeff Traxler (left) and son Sam, pictured with the samurai sword.

Boyd Huppert, KARE

Left to right: Allie Trnka, Sam Traxler, Jeff Traxler, Jeff Fowler talk online to Yano Takaski in Japan.

Boyd Huppert, KARE

Colin Fowler brought the sword home after completing his service in WWII.

Boyd Huppert, KARE

Allie Trnka and Sam Traxler will return the sword to Japan.

Boyd Huppert, KARE

Allie Trnka (left) and Sam Traxler (center) share details of their research with Jeff Fowler.

Boyd Huppert, KARE

Yano Takashi speaks via Skype with the Traxler family and Jeff Fowler.

Boyd Huppert, KARE

Family crest (top center of photo) helped identify the Japanese sword.

Boyd Huppert, KARE

The sword that spent years in a Minnesota basement, recently identified as a Japanese samurai sword between 400 and 500 years old

Boyd Huppert, KARE

Jeff Traxler (left) and his son Sam inspect the sword

Before You Leave, Check This Out