Given the historic complexities of the geopolitical flux of China, Korea and Japan it is easy to understand that classification conundrums are inevitable, and there are many factors in these dynamics.
Korea was occupied by China 1910-1945, with the Japanese occupation during the WWII debacle. The weapons of Japan were early influenced from China evolving into the unmistakable extraordinary character of Japanese blades.
There were of course times where the Japanese exported blades into China (Ming into early Qing) but I am not well versed enough in this history to detail this, but just mention it to illustrate the cross influence dynamics present.
It is important to note that most writers who have sought the discuss the development and forms of hilt styles have avoided the inclusion of blades in classifying regional, national or period associated with the hilts focused on in their discussion. The reason for this (as often explained) is that the hilts have their own particular character and features, while blades were often obtained through trade or other means and often exchanged.
This would certainly be the case with Korean swords of course, so the hilts and scabbards would be the primarily identifying factor. With the situation of 'blended' influences, nuances and features melded together from all the areas and cultures described, I am unclear on exactly how these elements have formed a 'distinctive' or personal Korean 'style', especially given the many variations that, without exact provenance, are presumed to be Korean, yet that classification is contested.
One key element I have noticed is the 'tsuba' ( noting the variance of term for these guards on Japanese and Chinese swords with varying terms)...in the case of my example and Copycat's with the rounded aperture in the guard. This seems a feature which in my limited exposure to Korean swords, seems to be characteristically Korean?
Also the octagonal guard shape, again seems common to Korean swords.
Can anyone say more on these distinct holes in the guard? what is it for? It seems I have seen similar on a Japanese tsuba, but more of an anomaly.
The octagonal shape seems the be from Chinese influence (Eight Trigram symbolism?).
As noted, few works on Korean swords, the only reference to them in the west in earlier years was (as mentioned) "Korean Weapons and Armor" (J.L.Boots, Dec. 1934, 'Transactions of the Royal Asiatic Society"). This, like the similarly formatted monograph on Chinese weapons from the 1940s, deals only with ancient weaponry, with no information on more modern forms.
And we thought identifying the sword styles of the Indian subcontinent was tough.
