Jingama - Edo period - for info/discussion

drac2k · 15th October 2015, 09:29 PM

As stated, I am no expert and you make a valid point on the blade however I made my assumption based on several reasons.
The first was the side hook for placing the item on what I would guess would be a belt . This feature was very much like the one on the tobikuchi and it would be an impediment in an actual fight ; if a blade struck the metal clasp, it would slide down onto the user's hand.I have also thought of the jingama as being a stealth weapon and as such, if I am correct, the owner might not want to wear it in clear sight.
Next, when I saw your item, I wondered if it had been cut down; many times(not always), these weapons will have an iron band or butt cap on the bottom.I was unable to get a good look at the end.
Finally, when I looked up tobikuchi on the internet, I found some examples with a similar beaked blade such as yours ; of course this doesn't mean anything, since items are often mislabeled on this medium.
In conclusion, since swords were often forbidden to the "common people,"many times the line between tool and weapon was blurred .Your weapon could certainly be a jingama and I am anxious to hear what the experts have to say.

kronckew · 15th October 2015, 10:30 PM

me too. as far as the clip, it's odd that the 19c french naval boarding axe HAS a very similar belt clip, where the slightly smaller french/german fire service axes based on it do not.

naval axes and samurai weapons were designed to be taken from a rack and shoved in a sash or belt, not carried in a dedicated holster like fire service axes. japanese ones seem to vary as everyone wore a sash belt.

i've heard the samurai at the late edo/early showa when carry of the daisho sword pair was frowned on, would carry these in their belts as better than nothing.

15th October 2015, 09:29 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	As stated, I am no expert and you make a valid point on the blade however I made my assumption based on several reasons. The first was the side hook for placing the item on what I would guess would be a belt . This feature was very much like the one on the tobikuchi and it would be an impediment in an actual fight ; if a blade struck the metal clasp, it would slide down onto the user's hand.I have also thought of the jingama as being a stealth weapon and as such, if I am correct, the owner might not want to wear it in clear sight. Next, when I saw your item, I wondered if it had been cut down; many times(not always), these weapons will have an iron band or butt cap on the bottom.I was unable to get a good look at the end. Finally, when I looked up tobikuchi on the internet, I found some examples with a similar beaked blade such as yours ; of course this doesn't mean anything, since items are often mislabeled on this medium. In conclusion, since swords were often forbidden to the "common people,"many times the line between tool and weapon was blurred .Your weapon could certainly be a jingama and I am anxious to hear what the experts have to say.

15th October 2015, 10:30 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	me too. as far as the clip, it's odd that the 19c french naval boarding axe HAS a very similar belt clip, where the slightly smaller french/german fire service axes based on it do not. naval axes and samurai weapons were designed to be taken from a rack and shoved in a sash or belt, not carried in a dedicated holster like fire service axes. japanese ones seem to vary as everyone wore a sash belt. i've heard the samurai at the late edo/early showa when carry of the daisho sword pair was frowned on, would carry these in their belts as better than nothing.