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(op) Thanks guys for all your help... I am amazed at your knowledge and passion for edged weapons... I will add many more photos if it is okay to do so. I did not want to overstep my newbie status! On another board a member said the blade was extremely old, like 16th century old! The multiple holes along the tang show it has been repurposed several times, correct? The fancy tassle & knot (albeit can be swapped from sword to sword) tells that if these two aren't a marriage the officer must have been high ranking, correct?

Thank You Guido Schiller... Is there a Date / Province in the characters / or reciepient's name perhaps?

Can anyone help me decipher the Mei found upon a Japanese Naval Officer's Kyu-gunto? It has different characters on each side along the tang found under the sharkskin grip. The blade is extremely sharp! I'm no good with Asian lettering, however the sword is pretty incredible and I'd love to know if it is dated, maker signed, & where it was made. Has an incredibly intricate sword tassel & ball knot that is orange/red & olive green. The hilt backstrap even has a natural Ruby & Blue Sapphire. One pin holds blade in place. Blade registers 99.99% steel on XRT Spectrometer and definitely was hand forged. Thanks in advance! Mike