A Very Interesting Dha For Comment and Origin ID

Andrew · 24th December 2005, 06:49 AM

That's beautiful, Charles. Is that a tonkou or scarf-weld at the forte? If tonkou I think we're looking at a sword from Southern China, probably Yunan.

As you note, the blade construction really does evoke Tibet, Bhutan and, perhaps, Nagaland. Very interesting sword. Thanks for sharing.

Battara · 24th December 2005, 07:52 PM

You can certainly see Chinese influence at the bottom mount of the scabbard. Nice puppy.

Ian · 25th December 2005, 12:16 AM

Charles:

Very nice example. I am thinking Assam or maybe southern China (Yunnan).

The blade is kachin in shape (the fighting dha-dao rather than the working dao), but that long blunt-ended shape was probably adopted from Assam or neighboring areas about 200 years ago when the kachin were expanding their influence and territory out of southern China and into northern Burma, Nagaland and Assam.

Tha Assam version of the dha-dao tends to be quite long and the accompanying sheath is open-faced. Not what we are seeing in your example.

I'm away from my books at the moment, but the hairpin laminated structure and the Kachin-style blade suggest Assam or nearby to me.

Ian.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

24th December 2005, 06:49 AM	#1
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	That's beautiful, Charles. Is that a tonkou or scarf-weld at the forte? If tonkou I think we're looking at a sword from Southern China, probably Yunan. As you note, the blade construction really does evoke Tibet, Bhutan and, perhaps, Nagaland. Very interesting sword. Thanks for sharing.

24th December 2005, 07:52 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	You can certainly see Chinese influence at the bottom mount of the scabbard. Nice puppy.

25th December 2005, 12:16 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,363	Charles: Very nice example. I am thinking Assam or maybe southern China (Yunnan). The blade is kachin in shape (the fighting dha-dao rather than the working dao), but that long blunt-ended shape was probably adopted from Assam or neighboring areas about 200 years ago when the kachin were expanding their influence and territory out of southern China and into northern Burma, Nagaland and Assam. Tha Assam version of the dha-dao tends to be quite long and the accompanying sheath is open-faced. Not what we are seeing in your example. I'm away from my books at the moment, but the hairpin laminated structure and the Kachin-style blade suggest Assam or nearby to me. Ian.