Eunjangdo

Timo Nieminen · 21st October 2012, 01:01 AM

Here is one rather like the one in post #6. Simple compared to the fancier ones in this thread. The "inscription" on the blade is the same as the ones in posts #6 and #19.

Sajen · 21st October 2012, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timo Nieminen

Here is one rather like the one in post #6. Simple compared to the fancier ones in this thread. The "inscription" on the blade is the same as the ones in posts #6 and #19.

Hello Timo,

is it yours? When yes, can you post better pictures from the writing on the blade?

Regards,

Detlef

Timo Nieminen · 21st October 2012, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hello Timo,

is it yours? When yes, can you post better pictures from the writing on the blade?

Yes, mine. A picture good enough to see it clearly will require a visit to a better camera than mine (even if mine cooperates and focusses, I don't think it will be clear enough). Will see if I can get a better one.

Essentially, the same as the other ones. I don't know what it means. It isn't recognised as writing by (typical modern) Koreans. If it is a script, it is probably
Siddham, a Sanskrit-derived script still used for Buddhist inscriptions in East Asia (called "Bonji" in Japan).

ariel · 21st October 2012, 12:16 PM

AFAIK, old Korean weapons are very rare. Thus, sudden appearance of large number of them on e-bay, all belonging to the same subgroup ( women's dagger), many with identical markings makes me think you know what:-)

Sajen · 21st October 2012, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

AFAIK, old Korean weapons are very rare. Thus, sudden appearance of large number of them on e-bay, all belonging to the same subgroup ( women's dagger), many with identical markings makes me think you know what:-)

Of course I can only speak for the one I have had (I have resell it again), it was definitely used and old, the signs of wear told me this.

Regards,

Detlef

Timo Nieminen · 21st October 2012, 10:19 PM

The "large number" looks rather small to me. Also, the ones I see aren't identical. I don't think they're all very old (where "very" would be late 19th century, before the Japan takeover). These are still made; worn on special occasions rather than everyday wear for upper-class women, but still made to be worn. (Traditional dress is widely owned in Korea, though accessories like this are less common than the basic hanbok (set of traditional clothes).)

I'd expect to see very, very few from before the late 19th century, moderate numbers from the late 19th, few from the Japanese colonial period, and plenty from after independence (from Japanese rule, 1945). The newer ones won't be sold as antique except as fakes. The good new ones sell for more than most antique ones; I have seen some new ones advertised as antique at very high prices.

A comparison with puukkos is appropriate (both considering the above discussion about them, and them providing a functional comparison): a traditional design, still made, still sold new.

I'd guess my newest one to be 20th century, post 1945 (it was described as 19th century, possibly British - I don't believe either).

As far as being "weapons" goes, these are more dress accessories. But old Korean knives of all types are hard to find (I did find an old Korean kitchen knife - also mis-labelled.)

Timo Nieminen · 22nd October 2012, 12:45 AM

A further thought: I think that the cruder ones (like my new one) are almost all, if not completely all, modern (post Japanese colonial period, or possibly during it). These are originally (pre-Japanese colonial period) strictly upper-class items - quality matters in this case.

On the other hand, these were probably illegal for lower classes to wear, so it wasn't necessary to have a fancy one to show that one was upper class, just to have one. But on the other other hand, what impoverished upper class family wants to display their impoverishment so publicly? Thus, I think they are recent, after the old class system disappeared.

21st October 2012, 01:01 AM	#1
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	Here is one rather like the one in post #6. Simple compared to the fancier ones in this thread. The "inscription" on the blade is the same as the ones in posts #6 and #19. Attached Images

21st October 2012, 12:16 PM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	AFAIK, old Korean weapons are very rare. Thus, sudden appearance of large number of them on e-bay, all belonging to the same subgroup ( women's dagger), many with identical markings makes me think you know what:-)

21st October 2012, 10:19 PM	#6
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	The "large number" looks rather small to me. Also, the ones I see aren't identical. I don't think they're all very old (where "very" would be late 19th century, before the Japan takeover). These are still made; worn on special occasions rather than everyday wear for upper-class women, but still made to be worn. (Traditional dress is widely owned in Korea, though accessories like this are less common than the basic hanbok (set of traditional clothes).) I'd expect to see very, very few from before the late 19th century, moderate numbers from the late 19th, few from the Japanese colonial period, and plenty from after independence (from Japanese rule, 1945). The newer ones won't be sold as antique except as fakes. The good new ones sell for more than most antique ones; I have seen some new ones advertised as antique at very high prices. A comparison with puukkos is appropriate (both considering the above discussion about them, and them providing a functional comparison): a traditional design, still made, still sold new. I'd guess my newest one to be 20th century, post 1945 (it was described as 19th century, possibly British - I don't believe either). As far as being "weapons" goes, these are more dress accessories. But old Korean knives of all types are hard to find (I did find an old Korean kitchen knife - also mis-labelled.)

22nd October 2012, 12:45 AM	#7
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	A further thought: I think that the cruder ones (like my new one) are almost all, if not completely all, modern (post Japanese colonial period, or possibly during it). These are originally (pre-Japanese colonial period) strictly upper-class items - quality matters in this case. On the other hand, these were probably illegal for lower classes to wear, so it wasn't necessary to have a fancy one to show that one was upper class, just to have one. But on the other other hand, what impoverished upper class family wants to display their impoverishment so publicly? Thus, I think they are recent, after the old class system disappeared.