Formosa Hill Tribe Swords ( for Yuanzhumin )

KuKulzA28 · 10th August 2009, 07:48 PM

Research Update:

Aside from the Aboriginal smiths at 銅門, Hualien I have also discovered that there are a few others in Taiwan. One is in 新店 (Shing-dian) and another in 桃園大溪 (DaSi, Tao-yuan).... maybe one in San-xhia. The one is DaSi may be Hakka but seems to have been making Atayal blades for the tribesmen for some time now. Today they use spring steel and nails to make blades and arrowheads (and fishing spears). Seems like there's a very limited amount of hunting still going on... and that the blades are not illegal, but not entirely legal.. obviously if they were illegal, the mainly Chinese 開山刀 users would be screwed. The 開山刀 are usually hook-shaped, like bill-hooks, almost like a S.Indian aruvaal. They are the Chinese version of machetes. Some Japanese soqi are used too. It seems the aboriginal blades are of better quality and preferable for survival, forestry, and mountaineering work. That is not to say all the Chinese hook-machetes are terrible, in fact there are some good quality ones out there.

The Atayal's machete-sword is called a laraw (lah-rao, rhymes with cow). Their smaller utility knives are called puli (boo-LEE).

Hualian's smiths apparently make blades for all the tribes and tourists as well, but the blade-makers I found out about above seem to only make for Atayal. I'll see if I can gather more information on other groups' blades.

I know these aren't antiques that I am digging up, but the state of today's aboriginal cultures of Taiwan and their handicrafts, including weaponry, still lives on, though barely in some cases. However, there are still some quality blades being made and used, though not for headhunting. There doesn't seem to be much interest but I'll keep posting up my research for those who are.

Emanuel · 10th August 2009, 08:49 PM

Thanks for great info Kukulza. Rest assured there is interest in this culture and its blades. I just think few of us are in the position to add anything meaningful.

Emanuel

Tim Simmons · 10th August 2009, 09:04 PM

Yes great interest. I might add that Nicolas is now the owner of the example I had.

KuKulzA28 · 10th August 2009, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emanuel

Thanks for great info Kukulza. Rest assured there is interest in this culture and its blades. I just think few of us are in the position to add anything meaningful.

Emanuel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Yes great interest. I might add that Nicolas is now the owner of the example I had.

Thanks for the encouragement. Like I said, I'll post more when I've found out more...

Lucky Nicholas, authentic Taiwanese aboriginal pieces are rare, I hope he treasures it forever... if not he should hit me up with a message

hahaha, but I have no doubt he will

KuKulzA28 · 3rd September 2009, 09:59 PM

More on modern-made Taiwanese Aborigine (原住民) blades... I am surprised at how helpful some folks are... when the person contacting them in far away and may never meet them face to face. I am trying to figure out the general location of the few aboriginal or sino-aboriginal blade-makers left.... so far I am having more success with the Atayal, perhaps because I am more interested in their blades or perhaps because their blade making and usage is more intact... not sure.

If Yuanzhumin (anglicized for 原住民) was around more I'm sure he'd be way more helpful!
EDIT: Yuanzhumin if you're reading this stuff, please feel free to chime in.

I take no credit for these photos, they belong to their owners, posted on flickr

Yugan Dali's photos on flickr. These are puli (bulee) and laraw (la-row).

fm4715/魯獅's photo on flickr. I do not recognize who makes these Laraw.

Kimisibal's photo on flickr... looks to be from Hualien but I am not sure.

KuKulzA28 · 4th September 2009, 03:50 AM

In addition to those above, I am trying to trace the origins of these, which may be tourist blades

:

These seem to be the 銅門, Hualien made Aboriginal blades mixed with some sickle-like 開山刀 in the mix. It would seem the Aboriginal blades give a good account of themselves as "machetes". I myself have tested mine out - not bad! Most Han Taiwanese use 開山刀 for brush clearing like a machete. It is also commonly used in Guangdong and Fujian where the handcrafts of making such tools is also dying... ironically while the villagers in both areas prefer the well-made, quality tools of old master craftsmen... very few young apprentices are to be found.

On the side... Yugan Dali's photo on flickr showing one way to wear a sickle-開山刀

KuKulzA28 · 4th January 2010, 05:23 PM

For those interested...

this Taiwanese aboriginal blade looks like a single butterfly sword's blade with a typical aboriginal metal socket handle. It is sheathed in the Aboriginal way. I want to say it is from one of the western plains groups, and had a lot of Chinese influence... but I am no expert.

One of freebooter's butterfly swords for reference:
[from freebooter's Swords & Antiques Gallery]

3rd September 2009, 09:59 PM	#5
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	More on modern-made Taiwanese Aborigine (原住民) blades... I am surprised at how helpful some folks are... when the person contacting them in far away and may never meet them face to face. I am trying to figure out the general location of the few aboriginal or sino-aboriginal blade-makers left.... so far I am having more success with the Atayal, perhaps because I am more interested in their blades or perhaps because their blade making and usage is more intact... not sure. If Yuanzhumin (anglicized for 原住民) was around more I'm sure he'd be way more helpful! EDIT: Yuanzhumin if you're reading this stuff, please feel free to chime in. I take no credit for these photos, they belong to their owners, posted on flickr Yugan Dali's photos on flickr. These are puli (bulee) and laraw (la-row). fm4715/魯獅's photo on flickr. I do not recognize who makes these Laraw. Kimisibal's photo on flickr... looks to be from Hualien but I am not sure. Last edited by KuKulzA28; 4th September 2009 at 01:02 AM.

4th September 2009, 03:50 AM	#6
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	In addition to those above, I am trying to trace the origins of these, which may be tourist blades : These seem to be the 銅門, Hualien made Aboriginal blades mixed with some sickle-like 開山刀 in the mix. It would seem the Aboriginal blades give a good account of themselves as "machetes". I myself have tested mine out - not bad! Most Han Taiwanese use 開山刀 for brush clearing like a machete. It is also commonly used in Guangdong and Fujian where the handcrafts of making such tools is also dying... ironically while the villagers in both areas prefer the well-made, quality tools of old master craftsmen... very few young apprentices are to be found. On the side... Yugan Dali's photo on flickr showing one way to wear a sickle-開山刀 Last edited by KuKulzA28; 4th September 2009 at 04:02 AM.

4th January 2010, 05:23 PM	#7
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	For those interested... this Taiwanese aboriginal blade looks like a single butterfly sword's blade with a typical aboriginal metal socket handle. It is sheathed in the Aboriginal way. I want to say it is from one of the western plains groups, and had a lot of Chinese influence... but I am no expert. One of freebooter's butterfly swords for reference: [from freebooter's Swords & Antiques Gallery] Last edited by KuKulzA28; 4th January 2010 at 09:37 PM.

10th August 2009, 07:48 PM	#1
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	Research Update: Aside from the Aboriginal smiths at 銅門, Hualien I have also discovered that there are a few others in Taiwan. One is in 新店 (Shing-dian) and another in 桃園大溪 (DaSi, Tao-yuan).... maybe one in San-xhia. The one is DaSi may be Hakka but seems to have been making Atayal blades for the tribesmen for some time now. Today they use spring steel and nails to make blades and arrowheads (and fishing spears). Seems like there's a very limited amount of hunting still going on... and that the blades are not illegal, but not entirely legal.. obviously if they were illegal, the mainly Chinese 開山刀 users would be screwed. The 開山刀 are usually hook-shaped, like bill-hooks, almost like a S.Indian aruvaal. They are the Chinese version of machetes. Some Japanese soqi are used too. It seems the aboriginal blades are of better quality and preferable for survival, forestry, and mountaineering work. That is not to say all the Chinese hook-machetes are terrible, in fact there are some good quality ones out there. The Atayal's machete-sword is called a laraw (lah-rao, rhymes with cow). Their smaller utility knives are called puli (boo-LEE). Hualian's smiths apparently make blades for all the tribes and tourists as well, but the blade-makers I found out about above seem to only make for Atayal. I'll see if I can gather more information on other groups' blades. I know these aren't antiques that I am digging up, but the state of today's aboriginal cultures of Taiwan and their handicrafts, including weaponry, still lives on, though barely in some cases. However, there are still some quality blades being made and used, though not for headhunting. There doesn't seem to be much interest but I'll keep posting up my research for those who are.

10th August 2009, 08:49 PM	#2
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Thanks for great info Kukulza. Rest assured there is interest in this culture and its blades. I just think few of us are in the position to add anything meaningful. Emanuel

10th August 2009, 09:04 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Yes great interest. I might add that Nicolas is now the owner of the example I had.