hi mikee
yes definitly japanese blade in resting case and very old koto signed blade im sorry i cant read it for you but on wehrmacht awards they can help in my honest opinion from what i can see the blade is probly from year 1450-1550 might be 1600s i think i can see that the point of the tip of the boshi is knocked off if thats all the damage that can be fixed by a polisher it also appears to be a hand made blade not arsenial made hope this helps you god bless andy militarynut