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25th March 2020, 07:49 PM | #1 |
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Minasbad, Tenegre?
Here's a piece I've had for some time. The overall length is 22 inches/55.8 cm, and the spine of the blade is about .5 inch/13 mm at the brass bolster. The hilt is carved horn, and I assume the figure is a deity of some sort, though its ears appear to have been knocked off. There are two holes drilled into the cheeks of the figure and I suspect these once held the ends of a brass ring that might have served as a connecting point for a retention strap of some kind.
The cross-section of the blade is a wedge shape (not chisel ground), and the tang extends completely through the hilt and is peened over a small decorative brass disk that is positioned between where the ears would have been. The blade is unmarked, though covered with surface corrosion. It came in a rough leather sheath that has some kanji-like characters inked on it (I've drawn it as best as I can, but the script is faint and the leather is stained). Some have suggested it is from the Visayas, perhaps Panay Island, while one person suggested it may be from Batangas. What do the experts here think? |
25th March 2020, 08:20 PM | #2 |
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I think that two Chinese characters are written here, meaning the name of the owner - 右謝 You Xie ("Right" and "Gratitude").
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26th March 2020, 12:32 AM | #3 |
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Hello MacCathain,
I think that your sword coming from the Bicol region, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=bicol and the attached pictures from my own swords. I am convinced that this is a typical blade form from the Bicol region, like you see in the provided thread that not all with me in agreement. Read the thread and built up your own opinion. Sadly is your sword in poor condition and would benefit when you would give it a little bit care. The last picture shows the rather thick spines of my swords, you write that it is by your sword similar. Regards, Detlef Last edited by Sajen; 26th March 2020 at 12:22 PM. |
26th March 2020, 12:59 AM | #4 |
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I agree with Sajen, the hilt, clipped point of the blade point, and the scabbard shape point to a Bicol origin to me as well.
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26th March 2020, 01:19 AM | #5 | |
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Quote:
Regards, Detlef |
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26th March 2020, 03:41 AM | #6 | |
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Quote:
The owner of the Minasbad Shop also explained that the reason why the sword is treated as 'gay' is because it's a union of male and female. The minasbad is viewed in Bicol blade culture as male, while the ginunting is female. Last edited by xasterix; 26th March 2020 at 04:16 AM. |
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26th March 2020, 11:44 AM | #7 |
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Hello MacCathain,
Can you provide a picture from your sword in the view I have shown my two examples? It would be helpful to compare the blade shapes. Also a picture from the spine near the handle would be great! Regards, Detlef |
26th March 2020, 12:16 PM | #8 | |
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Quote:
Most interesting, thank you again for sharing your knowledge. So I have found a name for this both swords from my collection, binakla! I have two other possible Bicol swords with a different blade shape, maybe you will be able to tell me more about them. And a third binakla from my collection. Regards, Detlef |
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26th March 2020, 12:38 PM | #9 |
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And here another binakla from the above given thread, in the meanwhile went this one in the collection from Robert.
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30th March 2020, 10:33 AM | #10 | |
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Quote:
Considering the period this piece seems to hail from, I'd believe it more likely went through Japanese hands before ending up across the pond... Regards, Kai |
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30th March 2020, 08:17 PM | #11 |
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Yes, agree with Kai, could has been in Japanese hands before. Age I would guess somwhere around WWII.
Regards, Detlef |
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