Ainu knives

[pbleed]

Fiends,
Well, gee. I have been involved in the petty pace and slow in replying. There are 2 issues that need comment.
1. The small ivory knife frm the Brooklyn Museum that Gav posted. Far be it from me to disagree with the experts in Brooklyn, BUT, I am pretty sure that this is NOT Ainu. I would bet that it is early 19th century Japanese work in what is called a "topei" style mouting and that it is basically a flower arrangment tool. I have seen these little knifesd almost Netsuke size in a style rather like Ainu blades, but I am sure that this one is pure Japanese. I say that for 2 reasons. First the work in ivory is very well done, professional rather than "folk." The motifs are not very 'Ainu.' Second, the blade - inside sharpened, scoll clipped tip -is right out of flower arrangement. But, hey, can museums make mistakes?
2. To Jim's statement about "ceremonial use" of Ainu swords, I would say "Well, yes, but..." Makiri and bush knifes were basically working tools. I'll post a couple more images tomorrow to illustrate these types. The ainu also had longer swords that were large "trade goods" from Japanese officials. I think these overwhelmingly WERE used as symbolic and 'ceremonial" rigs that marked " 'portant people.
Peter