Paiwanese Sword?

scottwjones · 25th July 2011, 03:56 AM

I was given this sword by a family friend. She thought it was Japanese, but I knew right away it was not. I've been trying to do some research online and found some discussions on this forum with similar looking swords.

Im trying to figure out any information on this particular sword; whether or not it is authentic, how old it might be etc.

Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

VANDOO · 26th July 2011, 05:28 AM

IT IS FROM ONE OF THE TRIBES ON TAIWAN. USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION ON THE TOP SUBJECT BAR TO FIND SOME OF THE OLD POSTS FOR FURTHER INFO. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF COLLECTORS WHO WILL LIKELY BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU GOOD INFO ON THE SWORD. LOOKS LIKE A DECENT EXAMPLE TO ME NOT JUST A TOURIST ITEM. MEASUREMENTS MAY HELP THE EXPERTS.
WELCOME TO THE FORUM.

KuKulzA28 · 26th July 2011, 05:58 AM

If you don't want it, I'll gladly pay ya for it!

It's an aboriginal blade from southern Taiwan... possibly Rukai, Paiwan, or Puyuma...

I'm not 100% sure... which one... yuanzhumin might be able to help with that.

Doesn't look to be tourist I think, the heads on the sheath look decently well-carved, and not in the same style that many touristy sheaths are... but, I could be wrong... there are occasionally some better looking examples. Not sure about those X-shaped flowers though... hmmm..

Does it have a chisel grind?

Rick · 27th July 2011, 04:29 PM

I think it may be Rukai .

http://www.formosatribal.com/
More pictures of the scabbard, both sides ?

AJ1356 · 27th July 2011, 05:21 PM

Very nice, I wished I had family friends who gave me swords .....

yuanzhumin · 30th July 2011, 10:38 PM

Hello
We all would like to see clearer pictures to be able to have a better idea. What about the dimensions?
From the little I can see, it seems to be a real/authentic/old Rukai ceremonial sword, from Taiwan, an opinion that I feel confirmed by the fact it was introduced to you as Japanese: Japan was the former colonial power of Taiwan and many authentic nice Taiwanese aboriginal artifacts were exported in early times to Japan for collecting, studying or exhibiting.
If you are willing to sell this sword, I think many of us on this forum would be interested.
If not, keep it as these Taiwanese aboriginal swords are valuable, rare and nice collectibles.
:-)

25th July 2011, 03:56 AM	#1
scottwjones Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 3	Paiwanese Sword? I was given this sword by a family friend. She thought it was Japanese, but I knew right away it was not. I've been trying to do some research online and found some discussions on this forum with similar looking swords. Im trying to figure out any information on this particular sword; whether or not it is authentic, how old it might be etc. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! Attached Images

26th July 2011, 05:58 AM	#3
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	If you don't want it, I'll gladly pay ya for it! It's an aboriginal blade from southern Taiwan... possibly Rukai, Paiwan, or Puyuma... I'm not 100% sure... which one... yuanzhumin might be able to help with that. Doesn't look to be tourist I think, the heads on the sheath look decently well-carved, and not in the same style that many touristy sheaths are... but, I could be wrong... there are occasionally some better looking examples. Not sure about those X-shaped flowers though... hmmm.. Does it have a chisel grind? Last edited by KuKulzA28; 26th July 2011 at 08:55 AM.

26th July 2011, 05:28 AM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	IT IS FROM ONE OF THE TRIBES ON TAIWAN. USE THE SEARCH FUNCTION ON THE TOP SUBJECT BAR TO FIND SOME OF THE OLD POSTS FOR FURTHER INFO. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF COLLECTORS WHO WILL LIKELY BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU GOOD INFO ON THE SWORD. LOOKS LIKE A DECENT EXAMPLE TO ME NOT JUST A TOURIST ITEM. MEASUREMENTS MAY HELP THE EXPERTS. WELCOME TO THE FORUM.

27th July 2011, 04:29 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	I think it may be Rukai . http://www.formosatribal.com/ More pictures of the scabbard, both sides ?

27th July 2011, 05:21 PM	#5
AJ1356 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Nashville Posts: 317	Very nice, I wished I had family friends who gave me swords .....

30th July 2011, 10:38 PM	#6
yuanzhumin Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Ex-Taipei, Taiwan, now in Shanghai, China Posts: 180	Hello We all would like to see clearer pictures to be able to have a better idea. What about the dimensions? From the little I can see, it seems to be a real/authentic/old Rukai ceremonial sword, from Taiwan, an opinion that I feel confirmed by the fact it was introduced to you as Japanese: Japan was the former colonial power of Taiwan and many authentic nice Taiwanese aboriginal artifacts were exported in early times to Japan for collecting, studying or exhibiting. If you are willing to sell this sword, I think many of us on this forum would be interested. If not, keep it as these Taiwanese aboriginal swords are valuable, rare and nice collectibles. :-)