Japanese swords are called "metal made art." The once lost techniques used to make them prior to the 16th century are now on the verge of rediscovery.

In total, 31 Japanese swords of various styles line an exhibition room at the museum. Some of them are as valuable as government-designated important cultural properties, officials said.

They left Benny alone on Louis Street with a lifetime of modest possessions. Among them was a Japanese sword he’d found on an Okinawa beach in the final days of World War II. It was six months ...