The previous discussion can be found here:

http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/000582.html

(Tom Hyle was the only one of us who had the correct attribution.)

I've recently come across an excellent book on the native Formosans. It is called Material Culture of the Formosan Aborigines by Dr. Chen Chi-Lu and published by the Taiwan Museum, Taipei in 1968. There are several pages on weapons (pp. 146-161), with line drawings of spears, harpoons, bows, arrows, cross-bows, knives, shields, and body armor. I am posting a scan of Figure 52 (p. 154) depicting knives of the different tribal groups.

A1, A2 are Paiwanese knives, and a discussion of these can be found elsewhere on the EEWRS site under Geographic Index: Asia -- Knives of the Taiwan Aborigines by the late Dr. Sherrod Anderson and Philip Tom.

B is attributed to the Atayal tribe, and is the type that we had discussed earlier.

C is similar to the Atayal knife and is used by the Tsou.

D1, D2 are small ceremonial knives worn around the neck by members of the Yami tribe.

After checking with Lee about the fair use of copyright materials, I am posting a transcription of the text on knives from the book by Dr. Chen Chi-Lu. You might consider this a review of his work for the ethnographic edged weapon collector. Here is what he has to say about knives and swords.

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"The knife is one of the most important implements for daily life, and universal among human groups. Large knives may also be used in fighting, however, among the Formosan aborigines, no knives are specially designed for such purpose. Knives commonly seen among different groups on the main island measure about 50 cm [20 inches] long, and 4 cm [1.6 inches] wide. Most of them curve slightly upward at the tip of the blade. The degree of the upward turn is more prominent in those of the northern groups (Figure 52: B) and the central groups (Figure 52: C). The handles are mostly made of wood and usually measure between 15-20 cm [6-8 inches]. Some of the handles have a copper wire or rattan splint wrapped around them for strength and to prevent the hand from slipping (Figure 52: B-C). There is no guard on Formosan aboriginal knives. The sheaths are also made of wood and mostly one-sided. The reverse side is usually fastened with copper wire or iron plates in even intervals. Therefore the blade can be clearly seen when it is the sheath. The end of the sheath is sometimes decorated with human hair. The knife blade of the southern groups is usually straighter. Its end is obliquely sharpened with the pointed tip at the back side. Consequently the sheaths are also straight in form. Most of the handles and sheaths have carved designs on their surfaces. The design motifs include human figures, human heads, and snakes. These motifs may also be arranged in a series to fit the long and narrow surface of the sheath. The handles and the sheaths are usually painted red.

The Yami of Botel Tobago have two kinds of swords. The long sword is characterized by its slightly upwards turned tip. The blade measures about 30 cm [12 inches] long and 2.5 cm [1 inch] wide. There is no guard on the Yami sword. The handle and the sheath are similar to that of other groups, but normally simple and plain (Figure 54: C). Another kind of sword used by the Yami is the hanging dagger which is called takkurus. The takkurus is a very meagre blade that measures about 15 cm [6 inches] long and 2.5 cm [1 inch] wide. But it is ill matched with a large sheath made of hard wood. The sheath is an axe-blade shape (wide in both ends and narrow in the central portion) with a pointed end. Both surfaces of the sheath are engraved with designs. Besides geometric designs, quite often the figures of magamaog, a legendary culture hero of the tribe, are seen (Figure 52: D). This dagger is not for practical use. It is always carried by men outdoors as an ornament and as a means of exorcising evil spirits."

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Reference. Chen Chi-Lu. Material Culture of the Formosan Aborigines. The Taiwan Museum:Taipei, 1968, pp. 155-156.

I recommend this book with enthusiasm. It has accounts of textiles, clothing, pottery, housing, and details of the daily life of native groups. Very well done. I hope this puts to rest the origin of those mystery knives.

Ian.

[This message has been edited by Lee Jones (edited 01-27-2002).]