The Sinhalese Kastane: Its Development, Decoration and Symbolism

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 21st September 2017, 08:29 PM

Could it be that the Sri Lankan weapon shown here in a simple woodcut is in fact a Falchion ...see example.

This is an early landing by a Dutch group in Eastern Sri Lanka where the right hand tribal warrior is holding a similar weapon...Is this the Falchion? A remarkably similar weapon to the Stone Freize weapon.

This picture(kNOX) with RELATION DE CEYLAN has another warrior at right with a similar weapon...

A picture in the hands of a European is shown to compare ...

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 6th October 2017, 09:23 PM

Further reference showing the Buddhist influence on sword design in some cases as far afield as Japan. The use of Vajra as Quilons on these swords is apparent and widespread.

Below:
1. Japanese Buddha Statue with Sword; Illustrating Vajra Quillons.
2. Kastane for comparison.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 6th October 2017, 09:28 PM

Illustration of Vajra Quillons on an Indian Tulvar Hilt. The architecture on the Quillons and on the Knuckleguard is virtually identical to that on the Kastane shown for comparison.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 7th October 2017, 01:09 AM

It is quite rare to find accurate well preserved examples of Makara and Vajra Quillons on blades and hilts thus when one appears it truly shows the architectural influence across regions when considered in a religious viewpoint in this case Buddhist. This has proved a link to the sword decoration on Sri Lankan Kastane and on other weapons in the region from many sources including Tibet in the case of this example, India and other Eastern countries.

Of special note the Makara present on this and the Sendai Museum blade at #185 springs to mind when considering Makara on blades pointing firmly to this Buddhist influence and away from any European design impact.

Whilst this Purba is 19thC or before many go back to 10TH OR 11 THC or before.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 7th October 2017, 01:49 AM

Please note that There are 11 pages of Buddhist Tibbettan Purba religious objects at z.pinterest.com/pin/360076932690957766/ contains about 11 pages of Purba and is worth reading for its content.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 21st October 2017, 05:28 PM

Following on from thread and above I illustrate here the evidence of cross regional influence from Buddhist sword architecture from ceremonial religious themes onto The Sri Lankan Kastane; The Quillons. This is the second statue of Buddha and similar to the figure at #191 previously. Secondary influence can be seen in Phurba and Vajra examples previously.

This clue first came to my attention from a Met Museum annual publication and here from an excellent picture from the web. It illustrated the application of an apparent quillons structure ~ however it has to be borne in mind that this type of quillon and indeed the sword form were not battle mode weapons... neither, in fact, was the Sri Lankan Kastane to which it was design related. The important lesson here is that this design as with much of the Kastane reflected from neighboring regions including Tibet, India and as far afield as Japan in the religious sense and that far from being a European design this was essentially Home Grown and from regional influence.

The Met write up includes the date of this statue. Viz; 12thC.

From https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/44842 Quote"Fudō Myōō (Achala-vidyārāja), 12th century. Japan. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The Harry G. C. Packard Collection of Asian Art, Gift of Harry G. C. Packard, and Purchase, Fletcher, Rogers, Harris Brisbane Dick, and Louis V. Bell Funds, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, and The Annenberg Fund Inc. Gift, 1975 (1975.268.163) | Fudō Myōō uses his sword to cut through ignorance and his lasso to reign in those who would block the path to enlightenment. #sword''Unquote.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 1st November 2017, 09:50 AM

Viewing Kastane hilts through different eyes brings a differing perspective on an interesting subject. Since the historical meaning is shrouded in history and the zoomorphic licence to create a variety of Iconic creatures is very much up to the specialist artisan working in the Royal Workshops many features on the hilt are changed to meet the multi faceted nature of the sword..and bearing in mind its non battle application and its respected place as a badge of office and rank in society.
Below are some examples of the different styles.

6th October 2017, 09:23 PM	#2
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Further reference showing the Buddhist influence on sword design in some cases as far afield as Japan. The use of Vajra as Quilons on these swords is apparent and widespread. Below: 1. Japanese Buddha Statue with Sword; Illustrating Vajra Quillons. 2. Kastane for comparison. Attached Images

6th October 2017, 09:28 PM	#3
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Illustration of Vajra Quillons on an Indian Tulvar Hilt. The architecture on the Quillons and on the Knuckleguard is virtually identical to that on the Kastane shown for comparison. Attached Images

7th October 2017, 01:09 AM	#4
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	It is quite rare to find accurate well preserved examples of Makara and Vajra Quillons on blades and hilts thus when one appears it truly shows the architectural influence across regions when considered in a religious viewpoint in this case Buddhist. This has proved a link to the sword decoration on Sri Lankan Kastane and on other weapons in the region from many sources including Tibet in the case of this example, India and other Eastern countries. Of special note the Makara present on this and the Sendai Museum blade at #185 springs to mind when considering Makara on blades pointing firmly to this Buddhist influence and away from any European design impact. Whilst this Purba is 19thC or before many go back to 10TH OR 11 THC or before. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 7th October 2017 at 01:48 AM.

21st October 2017, 05:28 PM	#6
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	12th century. Japanese Buddhist Ceremonial Sword. Quillons Influence. Following on from thread and above I illustrate here the evidence of cross regional influence from Buddhist sword architecture from ceremonial religious themes onto The Sri Lankan Kastane; The Quillons. This is the second statue of Buddha and similar to the figure at #191 previously. Secondary influence can be seen in Phurba and Vajra examples previously. This clue first came to my attention from a Met Museum annual publication and here from an excellent picture from the web. It illustrated the application of an apparent quillons structure ~ however it has to be borne in mind that this type of quillon and indeed the sword form were not battle mode weapons... neither, in fact, was the Sri Lankan Kastane to which it was design related. The important lesson here is that this design as with much of the Kastane reflected from neighboring regions including Tibet, India and as far afield as Japan in the religious sense and that far from being a European design this was essentially Home Grown and from regional influence. The Met write up includes the date of this statue. Viz; 12thC. From https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/44842 Quote"Fudō Myōō (Achala-vidyārāja), 12th century. Japan. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. The Harry G. C. Packard Collection of Asian Art, Gift of Harry G. C. Packard, and Purchase, Fletcher, Rogers, Harris Brisbane Dick, and Louis V. Bell Funds, Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, and The Annenberg Fund Inc. Gift, 1975 (1975.268.163) \| Fudō Myōō uses his sword to cut through ignorance and his lasso to reign in those who would block the path to enlightenment. #sword''Unquote. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 21st October 2017 at 05:59 PM.

1st November 2017, 09:50 AM	#7
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Viewing Kastane hilts through different eyes brings a differing perspective on an interesting subject. Since the historical meaning is shrouded in history and the zoomorphic licence to create a variety of Iconic creatures is very much up to the specialist artisan working in the Royal Workshops many features on the hilt are changed to meet the multi faceted nature of the sword..and bearing in mind its non battle application and its respected place as a badge of office and rank in society. Below are some examples of the different styles. Attached Images

21st September 2017, 08:29 PM	#1
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Could it be that the Sri Lankan weapon shown here in a simple woodcut is in fact a Falchion ...see example. This is an early landing by a Dutch group in Eastern Sri Lanka where the right hand tribal warrior is holding a similar weapon...Is this the Falchion? A remarkably similar weapon to the Stone Freize weapon. This picture(kNOX) with RELATION DE CEYLAN has another warrior at right with a similar weapon... A picture in the hands of a European is shown to compare ... Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 21st September 2017 at 09:38 PM.

7th October 2017, 01:49 AM	#5
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Please note that There are 11 pages of Buddhist Tibbettan Purba religious objects at z.pinterest.com/pin/360076932690957766/ contains about 11 pages of Purba and is worth reading for its content.