“Swords and guns buried under an elementary school?” You might ask. It sounds like the beginning of an unbelievable story. Yet, Tanashi Elementary School in Tokyo unearthed a trove of wartime relics.
Tanashi Elementary School is a public school with a long history. It enriches education in Nishitokyo. Founded in 1873, the school has been a cornerstone of its community for well over a century.
In 1925, Tanashi Elementary School moved to its present location. This relocation marked a new chapter in its history. The area around the school transformed during World War II. Military factories sprouted nearby. One of the most significant factories belonged to the Nakajima Aircraft Company. The company’s presence made the area a hub of wartime activity.
In July 2018, construction workers made an astounding discovery. While digging, they found a massive cache of World War II weapons buried on the school grounds. The weapons lay hidden just one to two meters underground. The find included approximately 1,400 firearms. Rifles and machine guns were among them. Workers also unearthed about 1,200 swords. Grenades, bullets, and cannon shells added to the unsettling collection. Experts believe the Imperial Japanese Army discarded these weapons at the end of the war.
The recovery operation lasted until August 3. Nishitokyo City disposed of the swords and guns. Specialists from the Japan Self-Defense Forces handled the ammunition and explosives. In total, they recovered around 300 bullets, shells, and grenades.
Initial reports described the edged weapons as “swords”. However, closer inspection of the images revealed them to be Type 30 bayonets. These bayonets were standard-issue for Japanese soldiers during the war.
The discovery at Tanashi Elementary School offers a chilling glimpse into the past. It reminds us of the impact of war. Even a place of learning can hold secrets. Tanashi Elementary School stands as a testament to history. It’s a place where the echoes of the past resonate.