Very unusual SE sword

Battara · 4th April 2008, 05:55 PM

Often if a Japanese soldier in WWII could not afford a Japan made sword or dagger, he would commission one in one of the occuppied countries to be made in the style of a Japanese piece. I suspect this is such a piece and the blade is older, but the rest is WWII.

Maskell · 4th April 2008, 06:17 PM

May I suggest that this is an Ainu knife or sword of late 19th to early 20th. century. The original inhabitants of Japan that were pushed to the north, known for the Bear Cult and also the hairiest race on earth.

Best Regards,
Maskell

Battara · 6th April 2008, 09:05 PM

I guess anything is possible, although I thought that Ainu pieces looked less Japanese and more "tribal" from what I have seen.

fearn · 7th April 2008, 02:48 AM

Don't the Ainu have a fairly distinct style of artwork? I'm not seeing the Ainu curvilinear patterns on this one yet.

F

drdavid · 7th April 2008, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Looks like the blade is made from a big old bastard file

I think it is quite possible that this had a previous life as a file, compare the marks seen close to the hilt with this Tibetan piece
DrD

Tim Simmons · 7th April 2008, 09:23 PM

I do not know much about the intricacies of Far Eastern stuff. However in this picture there is a melon/watermelon which is often seen in late 19th century Japanese metalwork. Often motifs made in alloys of gold and silver attached to bronze items many sold to visitors in the late 19th early 20th century. I do not see this as a true weapon as the bone? loop on the scabbard seems the wrong material for the function intended. The distal end of the blade does look Indonesian/Borneo perhaps even the Philippines? To me it is not old. Perhaps made for a Japanese chap while in the Philippines some time ago?

On reflection I rather fancy Freddy was right from the start. Borneo made for a Japanese customer. Also anything said to be stunning by a seller is to say the least questionable IMHO.

4th April 2008, 06:17 PM	#2
Maskell Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 38	Ainu sword May I suggest that this is an Ainu knife or sword of late 19th to early 20th. century. The original inhabitants of Japan that were pushed to the north, known for the Bear Cult and also the hairiest race on earth. Best Regards, Maskell

7th April 2008, 09:23 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,879	I do not know much about the intricacies of Far Eastern stuff. However in this picture there is a melon/watermelon which is often seen in late 19th century Japanese metalwork. Often motifs made in alloys of gold and silver attached to bronze items many sold to visitors in the late 19th early 20th century. I do not see this as a true weapon as the bone? loop on the scabbard seems the wrong material for the function intended. The distal end of the blade does look Indonesian/Borneo perhaps even the Philippines? To me it is not old. Perhaps made for a Japanese chap while in the Philippines some time ago? On reflection I rather fancy Freddy was right from the start. Borneo made for a Japanese customer. Also anything said to be stunning by a seller is to say the least questionable IMHO. Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 7th April 2008 at 09:37 PM.

4th April 2008, 05:55 PM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,310	Often if a Japanese soldier in WWII could not afford a Japan made sword or dagger, he would commission one in one of the occuppied countries to be made in the style of a Japanese piece. I suspect this is such a piece and the blade is older, but the rest is WWII.

6th April 2008, 09:05 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,310	I guess anything is possible, although I thought that Ainu pieces looked less Japanese and more "tribal" from what I have seen.

7th April 2008, 02:48 AM	#4
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Don't the Ainu have a fairly distinct style of artwork? I'm not seeing the Ainu curvilinear patterns on this one yet. F