dutch smallsword with japanese influence

Jim McDougall · 8th April 2019, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cornelistromp

hi Jim,

The earliest Dutch reference to shakuda is found in Rumpius; Dámboinsche rariteitenkamer, which was published in Amsterdam in 1705 and in which this material is called black suassa . Rumpius further states that is comes from Tonkin and Japan, being a sort of copper which is always black on the outside, but if rubbed it becomes copper-like.
(cf PUYPE, the Visser Collection part3, p 194.)

TONKIN Đông Kinh (東京), meaning 'Eastern Capital'. (東京 is identical in meaning and written form in Chinese characters to that of Tokyo).
so it may be the case that Rumpius intended Tokyo instead of north Vietnam!
JP Puype does not interpret this so in his publication, I will ask him next time if this can be a good possibility.

It was said that the VOC brought Chinese artisans to the Netherlands
do you know if there is any reference/source for this?

best,
Jasper

Thank you so much for these references Jasper! These are so helpful and I will be able to adjust my notes accordingly. I was always puzzled by the Tonquin name used in Aylward (" The Small Sword in England", 1945, p.57) which notes that the Dutch closed their factory in Tonquin in 1707 (apparently according to Dampier, 'Voyages')
He then states they moved to Pekin.
Aylward notes that Chinese workmen were taken to Amsterdam where they made hilts which were mounted with blades usually from Solingen, just as many of the swords in these areas were.

I am not sure of sources beyond this, but I think an either Polish or Russian source had noted the popularity of Chinese (chinoserie) style in the 18th c and Chinese artisans working in shops (perhaps Lvov?) creating some of the 'Oriental' styling on East European swords. I think of the 'Pandour' labeled hangers with very 'jian' type guards.
Bashford Dean regarded many of these type swords in his 1929 "European Hunting and Court Swords" as 'French'.....perhaps due to the colonial and trade activity in what became French Indo China in the 18th c.