Late World War II Japanese sword, measuring 28 in. from the ‘kissaki’ (‘tip’) to the ‘habaki’ (‘stop’), and 39 in. long overall. The tang is signed but untranslated. Per usual for ‘last-ditch swords’ this blade does not bear a temper line. The pin holes on the handle and blade do not line up in a precise manner, also usual for ‘last-ditch swords’. The sword is mounted in a wood grip covered with white ray skin, wrapped with brown fabric laces and with two brass ‘menuki’ in the form of cherry blossoms inserted beneath the wrappings, one on each side. The blade is housed in a brown-painted steel scabbard, mounted with a single suspension ring. Some light scratching to the paint on the scabbard, else fine. The scabbard locking mechanism is not in working order, possibly from a broken internal part, all other fittings in very good condition.