photos from an temporary exhibition hosted in Arts&Crafts Museum of HangZhou,China

sakimori · 18th October 2018, 03:43 PM

As described in the title,there was an exhibition took place in HangZhou which the exhibits were donated by many senior collectors over the country,which means it's a good opportunity to see&observe some really rare antique arms in person,so I got there,visited the exhibition and took some photos.Also since I've been seeing a lot of interesting stuff in this forum,I think it's better to share something in return...sadly,since all the photos were taken by my smartphone(didn't have chance to acquire any better equipment),quality of some pictures might be under the standard level,but i'll try to pick ones could be tolerated.
Meanwhile,there is another section of the Arts&Crafts Museum,named of Knives&Scissors&Sword Museum of China,which also have some impressive exhibits of antique arms,I will post the pictures taken from this part of museum along with ones of the temporary exhibition.
I've selected the most interesting exhibits(in my opinion) to post--ones with influence from other culture and ones with,uh,interesting looking.
And,well,the exhibition was hosted during October-November(I think) of 2017,though my thought was to post these pictures ASAP,but,uh,things happened....
Any way,I hope you can take pleasure in this thread&pardon me for my bad English.

sakimori · 18th October 2018, 04:21 PM

I'll star with this fancy-looking one from Japan(most likely).Museum and collectors who lend the sword note this one as a "tribute from Japan",but some other collectors I talked with generally think that is one questionable theory--as members of this forum might noticed,the sword itself is really in a different style,comparing with other sword in Japan.Some suggest the sword might was acquired from Korean or..aww,I can't remember the whole conclusion.This is so sad.I think one knowledgeble collector told me that he thinks this one might been heavily modified in China? Reply your thoughts if you'd like to.

Also there is one other thing I forgot to mention...since my English really isn't that good and typing like this is really not easy for me...I think I'll finish this thread in a week or two(hopefully),by posting reply in this thread.I hope this won't get any negative influence to...layouts? of the forum.Is it normal to reply one thread started by yourself once a day?If members or staffs of the forum have any suggestion,I would try my best to apply one.

Ian · 18th October 2018, 10:31 PM

Sakimori:

Welcome — thank you for your post and sharing your experiences of that exhibition. Your English is fine! Replying to your own thread happens all the time, so keep on posting examples in this thread.

The sword you show does not look to be (totally) of Japanese manufacture. The scabbard looks entirely Chinese to me. I would say a Chinese made sword in imitation of a Japanese style. There are others here more knowledgeable about Japanese swords than I am. They will be able to give you a better reading of what this one is.

Ian.

ArmsAndAntiques · 19th October 2018, 12:35 AM

This is a very interesting sword, and the third I've seen with such a mounting mechanism displaying what appear to be dragon creatures.

It is in fact Korean and likely of the later Choson Dynasty.

All three I've seen are of court level manufacture and display a number of interesting characteristics indicating the quality of the sword.

First, of the three that I've seen, including this one, one had a Japanese blade.

As the Koreans borrowed a significant amount of specifically their sword aesthetic and decoration from Japan (though there was cross-pollination across the strait as well in both directions), the use of Japanese blades is not to be considered a non-Korean trait.

This blade I believe is Korean by the form and style and the fuller, which though found on Japanese swords does not end in the manner seen on this example near the tip of the blade. It is possible that the blade was ground down over time and the edge specifically, but I would bet this is Korean workmanship.

Second, the use of the rawhide style work on the handle in imitation of Japanese tsuka wrapping is also indicative of Korean work.

Third, the mounting mechanism is purely Korean but an interesting interpretation of the way that Japanese tachi are mounted with a purely Korean form of attachment through a spring along the spine of the scabbard that inserts itself into the crossguard.

A wonderful sword.

We sold one with a near identical mounting mechanism.

It can be seen below.

http://armsandantiques.com/exception...wungeom-cs1051

We also have a number of articles on Korean swords as well describing their debt to Japanese workmanship but also the innovation in some of the decorative flourishes and aesthetics.

http://armsandantiques.com/3-joseon-...-19th-c-cc1252

http://armsandantiques.com/5-joseon-...ca-1800-cc1254

http://armsandantiques.com/1-joseon-...ca-1800-cc1250

Hopefully folks find these useful.

Regards
AAA

ArmsAndAntiques · 19th October 2018, 12:37 AM

Also if the original poster has more images, I'm sure I speak for at least more than a handful who'd be interested in seeing them.

The crossguards of these swords are always interesting since they often betray their Korean origin transmuted through what would traditionally be viewed as Japanese tsuba forms.

Regards
AAA

sakimori · 19th October 2018, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmsAndAntiques

This is a very interesting sword, and the third I've seen with such a mounting mechanism displaying what appear to be dragon creatures.

It is in fact Korean and likely of the later Choson Dynasty.

All three I've seen are of court level manufacture and display a number of interesting characteristics indicating the quality of the sword.

First, of the three that I've seen, including this one, one had a Japanese blade.

As the Koreans borrowed a significant amount of specifically their sword aesthetic and decoration from Japan (though there was cross-pollination across the strait as well in both directions), the use of Japanese blades is not to be considered a non-Korean trait.

This blade I believe is Korean by the form and style and the fuller, which though found on Japanese swords does not end in the manner seen on this example near the tip of the blade. It is possible that the blade was ground down over time and the edge specifically, but I would bet this is Korean workmanship.

Second, the use of the rawhide style work on the handle in imitation of Japanese tsuka wrapping is also indicative of Korean work.

Third, the mounting mechanism is purely Korean but an interesting interpretation of the way that Japanese tachi are mounted with a purely Korean form of attachment through a spring along the spine of the scabbard that inserts itself into the crossguard.

A wonderful sword.

We sold one with a near identical mounting mechanism.

It can be seen below.

http://armsandantiques.com/exception...wungeom-cs1051

We also have a number of articles on Korean swords as well describing their debt to Japanese workmanship but also the innovation in some of the decorative flourishes and aesthetics.

http://armsandantiques.com/3-joseon-...-19th-c-cc1252

http://armsandantiques.com/5-joseon-...ca-1800-cc1254

http://armsandantiques.com/1-joseon-...ca-1800-cc1250

Hopefully folks find these useful.

Regards
AAA

Thank you for your comment,AAA.Great opinion and important information,apparently.

sakimori · 19th October 2018, 10:29 AM

Another one,with significant features similar to swords in Japan.
I guess there really isn't much to say about this one,except you can fell the influence from other culture in first look.I think that is the exact reason make the sword valued.

silberschatzimsee · 19th October 2018, 01:31 AM

I was in Hangzhou not quite 2 months ago.

Did not know that there exists a weapon museum in Hangzhou. In spring i will visit the girlfriend again and will go there for sure.

18th October 2018, 03:43 PM	#1
sakimori Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 26	photos from an temporary exhibition hosted in Arts&Crafts Museum of HangZhou,China As described in the title,there was an exhibition took place in HangZhou which the exhibits were donated by many senior collectors over the country,which means it's a good opportunity to see&observe some really rare antique arms in person,so I got there,visited the exhibition and took some photos.Also since I've been seeing a lot of interesting stuff in this forum,I think it's better to share something in return...sadly,since all the photos were taken by my smartphone(didn't have chance to acquire any better equipment),quality of some pictures might be under the standard level,but i'll try to pick ones could be tolerated. Meanwhile,there is another section of the Arts&Crafts Museum,named of Knives&Scissors&Sword Museum of China,which also have some impressive exhibits of antique arms,I will post the pictures taken from this part of museum along with ones of the temporary exhibition. I've selected the most interesting exhibits(in my opinion) to post--ones with influence from other culture and ones with,uh,interesting looking. And,well,the exhibition was hosted during October-November(I think) of 2017,though my thought was to post these pictures ASAP,but,uh,things happened.... Any way,I hope you can take pleasure in this thread&pardon me for my bad English.

18th October 2018, 04:21 PM	#2
sakimori Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 26	I'll star with this fancy-looking one from Japan(most likely).Museum and collectors who lend the sword note this one as a "tribute from Japan",but some other collectors I talked with generally think that is one questionable theory--as members of this forum might noticed,the sword itself is really in a different style,comparing with other sword in Japan.Some suggest the sword might was acquired from Korean or..aww,I can't remember the whole conclusion.This is so sad.I think one knowledgeble collector told me that he thinks this one might been heavily modified in China? Reply your thoughts if you'd like to. Also there is one other thing I forgot to mention...since my English really isn't that good and typing like this is really not easy for me...I think I'll finish this thread in a week or two(hopefully),by posting reply in this thread.I hope this won't get any negative influence to...layouts? of the forum.Is it normal to reply one thread started by yourself once a day?If members or staffs of the forum have any suggestion,I would try my best to apply one. Attached Images

19th October 2018, 10:29 AM	#7
sakimori Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 26	Another one,with significant features similar to swords in Japan. I guess there really isn't much to say about this one,except you can fell the influence from other culture in first look.I think that is the exact reason make the sword valued. Attached Images

18th October 2018, 10:31 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,023	Sakimori: Welcome — thank you for your post and sharing your experiences of that exhibition. Your English is fine! Replying to your own thread happens all the time, so keep on posting examples in this thread. The sword you show does not look to be (totally) of Japanese manufacture. The scabbard looks entirely Chinese to me. I would say a Chinese made sword in imitation of a Japanese style. There are others here more knowledgeable about Japanese swords than I am. They will be able to give you a better reading of what this one is. Ian.

19th October 2018, 12:35 AM	#4
ArmsAndAntiques Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 80	This is a very interesting sword, and the third I've seen with such a mounting mechanism displaying what appear to be dragon creatures. It is in fact Korean and likely of the later Choson Dynasty. All three I've seen are of court level manufacture and display a number of interesting characteristics indicating the quality of the sword. First, of the three that I've seen, including this one, one had a Japanese blade. As the Koreans borrowed a significant amount of specifically their sword aesthetic and decoration from Japan (though there was cross-pollination across the strait as well in both directions), the use of Japanese blades is not to be considered a non-Korean trait. This blade I believe is Korean by the form and style and the fuller, which though found on Japanese swords does not end in the manner seen on this example near the tip of the blade. It is possible that the blade was ground down over time and the edge specifically, but I would bet this is Korean workmanship. Second, the use of the rawhide style work on the handle in imitation of Japanese tsuka wrapping is also indicative of Korean work. Third, the mounting mechanism is purely Korean but an interesting interpretation of the way that Japanese tachi are mounted with a purely Korean form of attachment through a spring along the spine of the scabbard that inserts itself into the crossguard. A wonderful sword. We sold one with a near identical mounting mechanism. It can be seen below. http://armsandantiques.com/exception...wungeom-cs1051 We also have a number of articles on Korean swords as well describing their debt to Japanese workmanship but also the innovation in some of the decorative flourishes and aesthetics. http://armsandantiques.com/3-joseon-...-19th-c-cc1252 http://armsandantiques.com/5-joseon-...ca-1800-cc1254 http://armsandantiques.com/1-joseon-...ca-1800-cc1250 Hopefully folks find these useful. Regards AAA

19th October 2018, 12:37 AM	#5
ArmsAndAntiques Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 80	Also if the original poster has more images, I'm sure I speak for at least more than a handful who'd be interested in seeing them. The crossguards of these swords are always interesting since they often betray their Korean origin transmuted through what would traditionally be viewed as Japanese tsuba forms. Regards AAA

19th October 2018, 01:31 AM	#8
silberschatzimsee Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 90	I was in Hangzhou not quite 2 months ago. Did not know that there exists a weapon museum in Hangzhou. In spring i will visit the girlfriend again and will go there for sure.