As a collector of SNLF/NLF ,based on period photos as well as my opinion I believe in the early stages of war in China most carried family or civilian swords slightly modified for combat
My friends new book https://www.amazon.com/dp/177753240X/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=rikusentai&qid=1609749253&sr=8-4&fbclid=IwAR1H-YHl7ZMMhXDJ8zu5digXvYx434TLu6qyUUbTityBVWLBGDHQrPvOKus
Congrats! Nice grouping but hard to prove it was all owned by same officer & not post war put together. The rarest item in the “ group” is the scabbard retainer cord on Kai gunto handle! These are very difficult to find