Quote:
Originally Posted by Norman McCormick
Hi Runastar,
Thanks for the interesting information and welcome to the Forum. I look forward to further discourse on the knife you posted. With the Joseon period spanning many centuries is it possible to narrow down the dating of my Eunjangdo. I suspect it is probably mid to late 19thC but if the form did not change much over the years it could be later or earlier but as I said before detailed information on these knives is scarce, at least from my perspective. I do know the occupation from the late 19thC into the 20thC saw the destruction of many Korean artefacts specifically weapons. Were Eunjangdo among the items confiscated and destroyed ? Thanks again for your input.
My Regards,
Norman.
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Hi Norman, it's been a while.
Unfortunately, I can’t offer much in terms of exact dating. I hope you understand. That said, if you're aiming for precise dating, most Eunjangdo (silver knives) were made by fixing the blade inside the hilt using natural adhesives like pine resin or animal glue. So, analyzing the adhesive materials used to fix the blade—such as through scientific methods—would likely be the only accurate way to determine its age. However, that process would come at a significant cost.
In Korea, appraising metal artifacts—especially silver—is done by examining the natural sulfide patina, smell, visual aging effects, carving methods, soldering techniques, and other factors. So judging just from photographs comes with serious limitations. (And particularly with metal objects, it’s nearly impossible to pin down an exact age.)
As for myself, I’m an amateur in this field and not a professional appraiser. I rely on literature, folklore studies, and exchanges with contemporary craftspeople who still make Eunjangdo today. So unless I explicitly state something as definitive, please take my comments as reference-level input.
—Not sure how helpful this will be, but I’ll send you a tip via private message later.—
Regarding the colonial period under Imperial Japan: yes, there is documentary evidence of weapon confiscations. The Japanese Government-General of Korea implemented strict laws prohibiting and controlling the possession of weapons. Later, during World War II, the colonial authorities extracted large amounts of metal, grains, and manpower from Korea to support the war effort. (Of course, mainstream Japanese public opinion tends to deny or minimize this.)
Moreover, I personally think the Korean War had an even greater impact on the loss of traditional objects than the Japanese colonial period did. During the Korean War, virtually the entire Korean Peninsula was leveled—flattened, really. If you look at photos of Korea from the 1950s during the war, you’ll get a sense of what I mean.
If you know any Koreans, it might be worth asking them about this too.
That said, even today, antique Jangdo (traditional knives)—or reproductions made to look antique, especially ones made of baekdong (copper nickel metal)—still circulate in Korea. Occasionally, you do come across pieces that are genuinely impressive. I’ve also seen a number of antique-looking Eunjangdo being sold on English-language websites. Compared to those, I find your Eunjangdo particularly interesting and worth attention.
There are also oral accounts of Japanese authorities cracking down on Eunjangdo artisans during the colonial period.
According to autobiographies and writings by Intangible Cultural Heritage holders in Korea, there are clear mentions of hardship and oppression due to Japanese policies—some makers were forced to continue their craft in hiding. (For example, in Ulsan and Gwangyang.)
About Korea’s Intangible Cultural Heritage system
After Korea began its path to industrialization in the mid-20th century—following the trauma of Japanese colonization and the Korean War—the government established a system to preserve and protect forgotten or endangered cultural traditions. Through a strict vetting process, master artisans who have carried on traditional crafts are designated as Intangible Cultural Heritage Holders. This system runs parallel to Korea's Tangible Cultural Heritage designations, which include buildings, tombs, and other historical artifacts.
As of 2025, the tradition of crafting Eunjangdo continues in a few regions: Gwangyang, Jinju (the artisans there originally came from Ulsan), and Ulsan itself—although the tradition in Ulsan is now at risk of dying out.
JoeCanada42 once posted about an Eunjangdo made in Byeongyeong, Ulsan.
It’s unfortunate that he’s no longer active on the forum to continue that discussion.
I'm sharing an ornamental silver knife from my collection, which I believe to be an antique—though it still requires professional appraisal.
One of the accompanying chopsticks is missing. At the end of the remaining chopstick, there's a symbolic ornament shaped like a crayfish.
In Korea, crayfish are known to inhabit only very clean and pure water. Because of this, they symbolize integrity and a diligent, disciplined spirit.
I was drawn to both the form of the knife and the meaning behind the crayfish, which is why I decided to acquire this piece.