Japanese wakizashi

[FreyrStrong]

This is the tang of what looks like a very old sword blade anyone know what is says

 

[Majestic]

Front side says 備州長船友久 Bishū Osafune Tomohisa
Reverse side says 天文元年二月日 Tenbun 1, February (1532)

 

[FreyrStrong]

Wow amazing! Thank you!

 

[Majestic]

Be aware that there are a lot of fakes out there. Swords had fake signatures put on them throughout history, so it may not be an actual signature from 1532. That doesn't mean it is a fake/replica sword, mind you. It could well be a very old antique samurai sword, but someone at some point put a fake signature on it to make it appear more valuable. (I'm not saying your sword is fake...I'm just saying fakes are common, and it takes a bit of study to validate signatures).

 

[FreyrStrong]

I understand, usually I post something here before I have an expert look at it in hand. I am trying to be sure it is Japanese first then have it authenticated. Thank you for the honest advice it is appreciated.