The wooden scabbard is covered with dark brown leather, which is sewn down the reverse side. The gilt top locket, is fitted with a suspension ring on each side, and is decorated with cherry blossoms and has a trefoil shape cut-out on each side. The gilt chape is decorated in a similar manner and has the same cut-out shape. The scabbard is far longer than the blade warrants. Although this weapon is not made in the Japanese tradition of sword design, it bears many similar features, which illustrate its origins. The cherry flower motif is the same as that appearing on service swords - the cherry being auspicious and widely used as a decorative form. This is a factory-produced weapon, which compares favourably with similar articles in the West. It seems likely that most Japanese Officers could wear dirks from about the time of the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) onwards.