WORLD WAR TWO INTEREST - GENERAL FRANCESCO PRICOLO'S JAPANESE SWORD (1940)
A Showa period katana, signed on tang 'Shimazaki Yasuoki' (1916-1986), and 'ON THIS AUSPICIOUS DAY OF SEPTEMBER 1940',
the blade of shinogi zukuri form held in a shirasaya, with presentation inscription on both sides of the shirasaya.
The translated inscription reads (to the longest); 'PRESENTED BY THE JAPANESE WAR MINISTER, HIDEKI TOJO (and) THE CHIEF OF THE GENERAL STAFF MOTO SUGIYAMA.' along with the inscription 'PRICORO GENERAL EXCELLENCY'.
Overall length: 97cm
Blade length: 71cm

Note: Confusion between 'l' and 'r' in North-East Asian and Chinese transliterated spelling is common, and 'Pricolo' being misspelled as 'Pricoro' is presumed to be an honest misunderstanding by the Japanese.
General Pricolo: Italian Minister of Air Force WW2