PNSSHOGUN

Looks like an etched Hamon you see on Zinc blades from Japan.

Maybe a different Hideki Tojo, in the latrine corps.....

Originals of this fashion do show up, but I must confess that they haven't held much interest so it's a CSI job.

Catawiki is generally viewed by many as bottom of the barrel, anyone wanting to be taken seriously in the community would distance themselves from the chicanery encountered there.

Unfortunately this is a low quality Chinese fake : http://www.jssus.org/nkp/fake_japanese_swords.html

A replica from Japan: https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/k1170875827

Is there an active descendant of Echizen Yasutsugu in business? That is really heartbreaking.

Solid copper fittings sometimes show up, for combat mounts these are about the best you'll see. You would expect the blade to be Gimei, the sellers description is ambitious at best.

It's a Kamon; Japanese family crest. Some variation of Maruni Hinomaru Ogi.

These Kanji preface a longer inscription on a Kuniie sword currently for sale. It struck me as odd that these were defaced but the officers name remained intact.

These Efu Tachi were made for significant persons in court for the coronation ceremonies of Emperor Taisho, and Emperor Showa. A variety of Gendai smiths made the special Tachi, including Gassan Sadakatsu, Miyamoto Yoshichika, Naohiro, and Takahashi Nobuhide. The example listed above was likely made for the Taisho coronation. Given these were made for such an auspicious and important occasion, the best artisans of the time would've made the Tachi & Koshirae with the utmost respect and diligence.

Hi Sean, welcome to the forum. Quite an unusual sword, off the top of my head such designs date from the early Meiji period and could be from any branch of the government. There is a certain quality about the Koshirae that seems better than usual.

1: Yoshimasa 2: Kanesada

From memory the best Tachi mounts made today cost several million Yen to create.

If a tassel appears brand new then you would probably want it to still be in a box. The other giveaway is the pinkish colour, typical of the reproductions. For the record Bruce, your field grade tassel wasn't bought from me.