Need help identifying sword...

[greatbeefalo]

Hello all! I have a conundrum I need help with...
My grandfather was a GI in the pacific theater in World War 2 and brought home several katanas with him along with other Japanese items. I inherited one of these swords and I need help translating the writing on the tang. I took several pictures; I dont think the sword was produced during WW2 but I cant be sure.
Thanks in advance!

 

[hanachan]

I don't know when it was produced.
It said:
ﾅｽOﾂ十ﾅｽﾂｵﾂ ﾂ渉ｺﾋ彗窶愿ｱﾂ十窶扼窶愿ｱﾅ椎ｽﾂ ﾅ陳｣窶拏窶慊? 窶邸窶板ｲﾅｽ窶ｺ
37 showa 20 nen 2 gatsu. ken'noutou Houryu-ji

I think that this Katana(Japanese sword) was one of presents from Houryu-ji in February 1945. Mybe to Japanese soldiers for their distinguished military service. (If it was presented to Horyu-ji, probably it would say "窶｢ﾃｲ窶拏窶慊 hounoutou"... I think)
37 means sequence number of those Katanas from Houryu-ji..., I don't know.

Anyway it's surprised, because Houryu-ji is the most famous temple in Japan. It is the oldest one.

 

[nice gaijin]

Could we see more of the sword and sheath? maybe that will help establish its age

 

[hanachan]

I dont think the sword was produced during WW2 but I cant be sure.

Maybe this sword itself is not so old product and not so much valuable. However, the name of Horyu-ji raises its value.

 

[caster51]

Ｉｆ this sword was given or stolen from horyuji,i think it is very expensive one because only good sword is dedicated.