Japanese Samurai Long Wakizashi signed Bizen Sukesada Nihonto Dated 1543-Katana

Description

Antique Japanese Long Wakizashi in Shirasaya, signed Bizen koku ju Osafune SUKESADA saku; A lucky day of August, 1543 AD.
Description:
Writing on Saya scabbard: 正真 備前國住長船祐定作 天文十二年八月吉日 長 壹尺九寸強有之 (Authentic; Bizen koku ju Osafune SUKESADA saku; A lucky day of August, 1543 AD; Cutting edge length is 1 shaku 9 sun)
Mei signature in Nakago tang: (front) 備前國住長船祐定作 (Bizen koku ju Osafune SUKESADA saku), (back) 天文十二年八月吉日 (A lucky day of August, 1543 AD)
Jidai date: Tenbun Era Year 12 (1543 AD) per the information engraved in Nakago tang as above
Sugata structure: Shinogi-zukuri
Mine: Iori-mine
Boshi head: Ko-maru
Kitae hada: Itame
Hamon temper lines: Ko-midare
Nakago tang: Kuri-jiri
Yasuri-me: Katte-sagari
Mekugi hole: One
Habaki collar: Single piece copper
Measurements:
Cutting edge length: 58.2 cm (22 15/16")
Nakago tang length: 17.8 cm (7")
Whole blade length: 76 cm (29 15/16")
Moto-haba: 28 mm
Saki-haba: 18 mm
Moto-gasane: 6 mm
Saki-gasane: 4 mm
Sori curve: 18 mm
Kissaki point: 29 mm
Fitting: 82 cm (32 1/4")
Tsuka handle: 20.5 cm (8 1/16")
Condition:
The blade has a nice heavy and robust long wakizashi in old polish with some minor flaws and scratches with a few minor rustinh; none of which are fatal. The construction of the blade is consistent to the time period but distinquishing features such as the hada and the activity within the hamon (hataraki) are difficult to make out.
*While the signature and blade construction look authentic to the smith, this item has NOT been certified by a third-party such as the NBTHK or NTHK. Sold as-is.