PNSSHOGUN

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:

Agree with Ray, the sword is in a perfectly reasonable state. Was there any writing on the Shirasaya?

The mounts themselves appear to be original and of good quality, as you would expect with the Suya stamp. Suya Shoten was known to have supplied Koshirae for a number of Imperial clients, and Gassan Sadakazu was a Teishitsu Gigei-in. The blade itself is somewhat uninspiring for a Gassan work, but that could be the photos.

At a glance many of the swords look too good to be true, when you examine the pictures closely you'll quickly see why they're so cheap. That being said if your goal is to simply own one genuine Japanese sword that's papered I doubt you'll find a more affordable source.

From the Sugata it would more likely to have been a polearm, such as a Naginata or Nagamaki.

Hi Mike, well you've just about exhausted all the wrong ways to put it together so looks like some assistance is in order. Two piece Habaki fit like so and sit above the Tsuba:

May be among this Mon: https://irohakamon.com/kamon/shikaku.html

Thank you, as you can see the casting quality is lacking and detail on the sides has been completely abandoned. Likely late 1944 or 1945 production.

Hello Connor, this appears to be a genuine Japanese sword. The sword dates to the 1700's and the maker is Ason Yasuyo, whether the signature is authentic is another matter. The fittings are traditional Samurai style that have been modified for the war. If you know about the history of how your grandfather took the sword in Burma, I would type it all out and keep it with the sword as a nice bit of family history.

Some closer pictures of the Tsuka may help, the casting quality fell right off by 1944-45.

Welcome Connor, given it was acquired in Burma I would hazard a guess it will be in Military mountings. If you post it in the section you can kill two birds with one stone: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/forum/45-military-swords-of-Japan/

If memory serves me right these were purposefully cut at that angle to allow a slight tension to avoid falling out. It would also allow easier removal as the handles sit further away from the Fuchi. You will find this detail on many good quality Koshirae with Kozuka.