This WWII type 98 Japanese Army Officer's Sword signed "Noshu Ju Kanenobu", Kanenobu, resident of Noshu.  It is also dated "Showa ju shichi nen ni gatsu hi", a day in February 1942.  The blade is original to the koshirae and it still retains all the original seppa and fittings.  The sword is fitted with a retention button which still works as it should.  The tsuba was once the better quality pierced variety, but the outer ring as been crudely knocked off.  The witness marks of the removal seems to show that this was done by, either the carrying soldier, or the returning soldier, as the patina is as old as the sword itself.  The blade is scratched all over but the original "sanbon sugi" hamon is still visible in places.  The tsuka ito is all original with a gap near the tsuba which would have held the sewn in place tassle, which was incredibly rare.
 
Kanenobu's real name was Niwa Shuji, born April 1903, the second son of his father Kanenobu. Trained from an early age by his father, he mastered the art of carving horimono and served as a Rikugun Jumei Tosho, a commissioned army swordsmith, during WWII. Known for his exceptional skill, Kanenobu was honored as a Mukei Bunkanzai (Intangible Cultural Asset) of Gifu Prefecture in 1973.  Kanenobu is listed on page 54 of John Sloughs "An Oshigata book of Japanese Swordsmiths 1868 - 1945", and was known for making high to superior grade gendaito (traditionally made Japanese swords).
 
Blade Length : 64.5cm
Overall Length : 92cm