This WWII Japanese Army Officer's Sword signed "KaneNobu", and dated "Showa ju shichi nen ni gatsu hi", a day in February 1942.  His 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).