Staying on the Japanese Theme: Japanese Trade Blades in SE Asia

A. G. Maisey · 21st August 2012, 12:11 AM

Quaritch Wales (Ancient South East Asian Warfare) mentions large numbers of Japanese swords found in Cambodia, probably dating from 16th-17th centuries and raises the possibility of a local factory under Japanese direction.

trenchwarfare · 21st August 2012, 03:05 AM

Very interesting information. I once saw a katana on fleabay, with very obvious African decorated fittings, and scabbard. On the weapon in question... Is the cutting edge on the inside, or outside of the curve?

laEspadaAncha · 21st August 2012, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trenchwarfare

Very interesting information. I once saw a katana on fleabay, with very obvious African decorated fittings, and scabbard. On the weapon in question... Is the cutting edge on the inside, or outside of the curve?

The cutting edge is on the convex edge; as I understand it, other than double-edged moroha zukuri, the only japanese tanto with a cutting edge on the 'inside' of the curve, kubikiri, are blunt-nosed, i.e., they have no kissaki (point). The example shown above is tori-sori unokubi-zukuri, either a naginata-naoshi or a naginata-naoshi styled wakizashi.

trenchwarfare · 21st August 2012, 06:44 AM

Thanks. I was wondering, it it might be a Kubikiri. They tend to have non-traditional style hilts. Possibly Ainu, as stated.

laEspadaAncha · 21st August 2012, 06:50 AM

Another member on NMB who collects Ainu cutlery strongly suggests an attribution to the Matagi, the bear-hunting mountain men of northeastern Honshu...

Here's a couple more photos of the above example:

trenchwarfare · 21st August 2012, 07:05 AM

Thanks for the additional photos. Would love to have seen it, before GI Bubba, and his decendants ravaged it for the last 70 years.

Emanuel · 21st August 2012, 07:20 AM

Hello,

A forum member here has a very impressive katana blade from Thailand. The fittings were Thai but made to resemble Japanese fittings. The handle, for example was a dark/black wood carved to resemble the wrap on Japanese handles. A gorgeous sword actually.

I don't recall the name, but there is a recent Thai/Japanese film about samurai mercenaries at various Thai courts, very interesting and fairly well done IIC. I'll look for the name...

Emanuel

21st August 2012, 06:50 AM	#5
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Another member on NMB who collects Ainu cutlery strongly suggests an attribution to the Matagi, the bear-hunting mountain men of northeastern Honshu... Here's a couple more photos of the above example: Attached Images

21st August 2012, 12:11 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,085	Quaritch Wales (Ancient South East Asian Warfare) mentions large numbers of Japanese swords found in Cambodia, probably dating from 16th-17th centuries and raises the possibility of a local factory under Japanese direction.

21st August 2012, 03:05 AM	#2
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Very interesting information. I once saw a katana on fleabay, with very obvious African decorated fittings, and scabbard. On the weapon in question... Is the cutting edge on the inside, or outside of the curve?

21st August 2012, 06:44 AM	#4
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Thanks. I was wondering, it it might be a Kubikiri. They tend to have non-traditional style hilts. Possibly Ainu, as stated.

21st August 2012, 07:05 AM	#6
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Thanks for the additional photos. Would love to have seen it, before GI Bubba, and his decendants ravaged it for the last 70 years.

21st August 2012, 07:20 AM	#7
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Hello, A forum member here has a very impressive katana blade from Thailand. The fittings were Thai but made to resemble Japanese fittings. The handle, for example was a dark/black wood carved to resemble the wrap on Japanese handles. A gorgeous sword actually. I don't recall the name, but there is a recent Thai/Japanese film about samurai mercenaries at various Thai courts, very interesting and fairly well done IIC. I'll look for the name... Emanuel