Has anyone heard of the term "Island Swords" ?

katana · 22nd July 2011, 10:05 PM

Hi Amuk

,
thanks for the link. In that thread you show 3 swords....the middle one has a similar laced leather cover to the one on mine. Are the blades pegged (mekugi) to hold them to the handle ?

Kind Regards David

sadakichi · 23rd July 2011, 08:40 PM

Hello all -

When I became interested in "edged weapons" fifty-odd years ago, the name "island knives" (or swords) was simply a generic name for the many different blades that came from the Philipines and other "island" nations in the pacific area. Early-on, I became interested in Japanese swords and that has been my primary study for most of my life. To my knowledge, the Japanese never did use native craftsmen to make or repair their swords. Instead, they had (when possible) craftsmen skilled in making and repairing swords brought into the field to make such repairs.

What you will find are Japanese swords that have been "lost" in the field or taken from bodies or prisoners, and "redressed" by the new (native) owners. Several of the swords pictured earlier would fit this description, although possibly done post-war for resale to GIs. A good example (unfortunately, an example not kept by me) was an "island sword" found by me ~ 40 years ago. It was mounted in typical islander fashion with wooden handle and scabbard decorated with mother-of-pearl and shell inlay, etc. The blade was totally rusted. A friend recognized that the "blade" was a Japanese sword, so we broke apart the handle (which was glued on) to reveal the nakago (tang) of a 17th century wakizashi (short sword). The sword was eventually polished by Mr. Nakajima, polisher for the Japanese Sword Society/US in the 70s, but revealed a fatal crack in the blade. However, the sword, made by two early 1600 swordsmiths -- Echizen Masanori and Masakatsu -- was discovered illustrated in the list of shin-to swordsmiths by Fujishiro (p.309).

What this meant was that in prewar years, this sword passed through the hands of Mr. Fujishiro and was selected for his books on ko-to and shin-to swords. Apparently the officer who carried this sword into was was (most likely) killed and his sword found by some islander who in turn remouted it to his taste. I've always found this story fascinating that this "island sword" started its life in early Edo days of old Japan! (Hope this was not too long-winded. Apologies, if so.)

Ron

KuKulzA28 · 23rd July 2011, 09:42 PM

That is a fascinating story! Thanks for sharing your knowledge....

I am not overly familiar with Japanese swords in SE Asia, but I do know that there are many Chinese, Filipino, and Indonesian smiths that make Japanese style blades today because katana have left their mark on both SE Asia and the rest of the world... people are fascinated by nihonto.

And according to Donn F. Draeger, the Silat style Tapak Sutji uses the katana (though not in the "original" way as practiced in Japanese arts)

Battara · 24th July 2011, 01:05 AM

Japanese style swords were made toward the end of WWII in Indonesia and the Philippines. These were for Japanese soldiers who were stationed in these places and wanted one but could not afford one made from Japan.

Theses are not to be confused with fakes made today.

22nd July 2011, 10:05 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Amuk , thanks for the link. In that thread you show 3 swords....the middle one has a similar laced leather cover to the one on mine. Are the blades pegged (mekugi) to hold them to the handle ? Kind Regards David Attached Images

23rd July 2011, 08:40 PM	#2
sadakichi Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: St. Louis, Missouri USA Posts: 5	Hello all - When I became interested in "edged weapons" fifty-odd years ago, the name "island knives" (or swords) was simply a generic name for the many different blades that came from the Philipines and other "island" nations in the pacific area. Early-on, I became interested in Japanese swords and that has been my primary study for most of my life. To my knowledge, the Japanese never did use native craftsmen to make or repair their swords. Instead, they had (when possible) craftsmen skilled in making and repairing swords brought into the field to make such repairs. What you will find are Japanese swords that have been "lost" in the field or taken from bodies or prisoners, and "redressed" by the new (native) owners. Several of the swords pictured earlier would fit this description, although possibly done post-war for resale to GIs. A good example (unfortunately, an example not kept by me) was an "island sword" found by me ~ 40 years ago. It was mounted in typical islander fashion with wooden handle and scabbard decorated with mother-of-pearl and shell inlay, etc. The blade was totally rusted. A friend recognized that the "blade" was a Japanese sword, so we broke apart the handle (which was glued on) to reveal the nakago (tang) of a 17th century wakizashi (short sword). The sword was eventually polished by Mr. Nakajima, polisher for the Japanese Sword Society/US in the 70s, but revealed a fatal crack in the blade. However, the sword, made by two early 1600 swordsmiths -- Echizen Masanori and Masakatsu -- was discovered illustrated in the list of shin-to swordsmiths by Fujishiro (p.309). What this meant was that in prewar years, this sword passed through the hands of Mr. Fujishiro and was selected for his books on ko-to and shin-to swords. Apparently the officer who carried this sword into was was (most likely) killed and his sword found by some islander who in turn remouted it to his taste. I've always found this story fascinating that this "island sword" started its life in early Edo days of old Japan! (Hope this was not too long-winded. Apologies, if so.) Ron

23rd July 2011, 09:42 PM	#3
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	That is a fascinating story! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.... I am not overly familiar with Japanese swords in SE Asia, but I do know that there are many Chinese, Filipino, and Indonesian smiths that make Japanese style blades today because katana have left their mark on both SE Asia and the rest of the world... people are fascinated by nihonto. And according to Donn F. Draeger, the Silat style Tapak Sutji uses the katana (though not in the "original" way as practiced in Japanese arts)

24th July 2011, 01:05 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Japanese style swords were made toward the end of WWII in Indonesia and the Philippines. These were for Japanese soldiers who were stationed in these places and wanted one but could not afford one made from Japan. Theses are not to be confused with fakes made today.