Early on March 28, a 17th-century wakizashi, a short samurai sword believed to be more than 400 years old, was stolen in a smash-and-grab at Zen Martial Arts in East Sacramento. The blade, a family heirloom on display at the studio, was reportedly meant to be passed to a student when he earned his black belt. Instructors and the student’s family have turned to neighbors and online communities for help, while Sacramento police continue to process the scene and investigate the burglary.
Studio releases footage as police work the case
Sacramento police confirmed they responded to the dojo and that crime-scene investigators processed the scene, according to CBS Sacramento. Owner Mike Oliver told the station the sword “is visible from the street and maybe it looked like the easy thing to get.” The school’s website lists its location on J Street in East Sacramento, and staff say the wakizashi had been displayed with permission at the dojo’s address at 4819 J Street.
Video, ‘bike bandit’ pattern, and family history
The dojo’s owner…..