Sword collector to share expertise at Japan Fest

When Earle Brigance gives a talk about samurai swords at the Kansas City Japan Festival on Oct. 3, he’ll share his knowledge of the weaponry, its history and the story of the most famous sword in his collection.

Back in 1945, when Gen. Douglas MacArthur went to Atsugi, Japan, to formalize the surrender of Japan to the Allies, a young Japanese officer approached the general’s pilot, Col. Edward Imparato. He spoke English well and told Imparato that he wanted to give him a samurai sword that had been in his family for generations.

Imparato sold Brigance the sword in 1996, and wrote him in a letter that he believed it to be the first Japanese sword given to an enemy on mainland Japan.

“The Japanese have a different mindset than we do … if they deem (their enemy) to be a very worthy opponent, then they esteem them,” Brigance said

“The only reason I can figure out that this young Japanese officer gave (Imparato) — without any prompting whatsoever — this sword was because he was acknowledging that they were defeated,” Brigance said.

Among the different types of Japanese swords are some that were manufactured during World War II as well as some that have been handed down for centuries. One of the ways to determine a sword’s origin is to look under the hilt for the name of a craftsman.

This particular sword is probably several hundred years old and has the name of a famous swordsmith, Tadahiro, etched at its hilt.

Tracing a sword’s roots is a tricky thing, and Brigance doesn’t think Tadahiro actually made it. It’s more likely someone made it in tribute to him.

“The sword itself is a nice sword, but in collecting terms, not great. What makes it valuable is the provenance,” Brigance said. “It sort of like if you could get ahold of Babe Ruth’s first home run baseball.”

Brigance began his collection 40 years ago, when he happened to meet another collector while living in Oklahoma City. Later, he lived in Clearwater, Fla., which happens to be home to a large trade show for showing and selling samurai swords. That’s when his collection really expanded.

The sword from Imparato may be his most famous, but it isn’t his only one. Brigance, who lives in Mission, said he has about 30 swords.

Brigance will be showing and explaining swords at the Kansas City Japan Festival, but his famous sword won’t come with him — it’s too valuable. He keeps it locked away most of the time.

Fran Lemery, honorary consul general of Japan in Kansas City and director of the festival, estimates that 4,500 people attend the Kansas City Japan Festival each year, and Brigance’s lectures are a popular attraction.

“It’s kind of a problem finding Earle a spot that’s big enough,” Lemery said. “They just love to hear someone like Earle, who collects (swords) and knows all about them.”

The festival features presentations and exhibitions of all different facets of Japanese culture. Several others, including the Samurai Soul Sword theater company, will feature information on the Japanese warriors.

“It’s a place to go and learn about many, many aspects of the Japanese culture,” Lemery said. “Do you like anime and manga? You name a part of the culture, and we probably have it at the festival.”

The martial arts demonstrations are also a popular attraction at the festival, Lemery said.

Brigance will speak at 1 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Kansas City Japan Festival at Johnson County Community College. For a detailed schedule and ticket information, visit www.kcjapanfestival.org.

This story was originally published September 21, 2015 at 12:04 PM with the headline "Sword collector to share expertise at Japan Fest."