Antique Japanese Samurai Sword (Nihonto) in Shirasaya signed "Bitchu Koku Aoe Ju Yasutsugu Saku".  The signature is strong and well inscribed, showing the smith was likely proud of his work and willing to put his name and reputation to it.  The sword was likely made during or slightly before WWII.
 
The blade is in good polish with the hamon (Clay Tempering) in an impressive saka choji (angled clove bud) style in nie and nioi(nie being small "star" like carbide structures, nioi being the fine powder like structure).  This type of hamon is indicitive of the Sue Bitchu Aoe school and is executed well in this sword.  It is of course folded in the traditional style with Ko-Itame Hada (grain structure) visible.  The blade is signed "Bitchu no Kuni Aoe Ju Yasutsugu Saku", which translates to Aoe (Ota) Yasutsugu of the Bitchu Province Made.   Yasutsugu was a well known WWII Japanese swordsmith and was listed by the both the Nihon Token Tanrenjo and the Nihon Token Shinbunshi as a gendai swordsmith in 1943. He is also listed in Slough's "Oshigata of Modern Japanese Swordsmiths" as a maker of medium to high grade Gendaito(modern traditionally made swords). The blade is housed in a near new Shirasaya (blade protective mountings).
 
Blade Length : 69cm
Overall Length in Shirasaya : 95cm