PNSSHOGUN

More likely a Fukure.

Considering the pedigree of former V&A curators and presentations, this is rather insipid. Looking at the other exhibitions this fellow has put together you don't hold high hopes of the situation improving.

The statement of using gun bore cleaner and mineral spirits to clean Tsuba seems completely at odds with the below advice: https://japaneseswordindex.com/tsuba/tsubacln.htm

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Hello Steve, there is scant information on Tsugunobu available and you have most of it already. He originally signed Kaneharu and studied under Ryunsai Kanetomo, along with Tsugumasa and other Gunma province smiths. After that he became the 16th student of Kasama Ikkansai Shigetsugu and changed his Mei to Tsugunobu. He was ranked East Block Komusubi in the 1943 Gendai Tosho Banzuke list. His work (published online) isn't seen very often, if you have photos of a sword and Mei I would be interested to see them. The below is from Malcolm Cox: The following article has a good deal of information, although the lineage incorrectly placed Tsugamasa under Kaneharu: https://www.nihontocraft.com/Kanetomo.html George Trotter and Mal Cox provided the following entries from Japanese sources, included is a nice example in my collection that has a special order Mei:

If you have any more pictures of the mounts we'd love to see them, sometimes you can find the officers surname on the guard under the fittings with these.

That is a very fine Daisho, can't recall seeing one with with matching cutting tests before.

Very nice indeed, it appears to be an Utsushi of Yokoyama Daijo Sukesada.

Thanks for sharing, is one of them in military mounts?

The extra material around the Sarute looks to be based off a particular style of mounts often found on Koa Isshin Mantetsu swords: https://www.artswords.com/Mint_Imperial_Japanese_Generals_Gunto_Mounted_Katana_020308.htm

If you can confirm it was brought back from WWII then it may have been made in a Japanese occupied territory.

Original boxed tassels that have come and gone over the years: Company & Field grade General grade Field grade Kyu Gunto

Nice looking sword, it's an early Type 94 pattern of good quality (note separate Sarute and Mon on Fuchi). The Mon is a variation of Daki Myoga (embracing ginger leaves) rather than Paulownia, unfortunately you won't have much luck narrowing down officers based on the Mon. You may find the officers surname on the fittings or under the Fuchi if you're lucky. The blade appears to be a 1930's Showato, I once had a very similar sword likely from the same shop. As the battle of Iwo Jima is relatively well documented you may be able to find detailed Japanese unit documents or staff photos from the 109th Division: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/109th_Division_(Imperial_Japanese_Army)

Many of us would appreciate some photos of the tables and show if possible.

For comparison: