Cambodian Dhas

Andrew · 11th July 2007, 05:29 PM

I think Cambodian weapons are ripe for more research. Frankly, I have yet to really get a good appreciation for what, exactly, constitutes a "Cambodian" sword. Ian does have a few that defy easy insertion into the more familiar classification groups, but I think we've all tended to fall back on "Cambodian" as a default in such cases. Not to say the reasoning that gets us there isn't sound, just that it lacks extensive data to support it.

Ariel, I like this group of weapons very much. Thanks for sharing with us. If you ever want to part with that pole-arm/sword catcher, please contact me immediately!

Mark · 12th July 2007, 03:44 PM

The second one is very interesting. No opinion about it being a polearm blade, but it sounds plausible.

The features of a Cambodian dha are a sharp change or bend in the overall sweep of the sword between the blade and the handle, something Ian has identified, the presence often of a tsuba, and a scabbard with an upswept tip rather than the square or round ones seen in other dha. I don't think we have enough strongly-provenanced blades to really confirm whether these are consistent, nor indeed even if such swords are "Cambodian" (i.e., Khmer) as opposed to being of a Tai minority.

Jason Anstey · 13th July 2007, 07:09 AM

the first one does seem to have a Japanese appearance to the "tsuba" and basic blade shape. The tsuba has what looks to be an oval marking around the blade indicating it might have originally had a seppa (washer) also the oval hole is for a small utility knife (kozuka/ Kogatana).

I apologise if these are very obvious comments. If you were able to remove the handle to we can see the tang then maybe more info will come to light.

My guess is that it is a composite piece using an old japanese blade and tsuba?

Cheers

Jason

ariel · 13th July 2007, 05:08 PM

Jason,
Wish you were right.....
No, there is no chance this blade was made my Masamune, Muramasa or even the most undistiguished Japanese smith

This is a product of a very primitive village foundry, far, far away from Bizen...
No sense disassemmbling it.
The tsuba is , as you say, reminescent of a Japanese general geschtalt, but is definitely NOT Japanese either: its core is soft metal ( copper? I seem to see some reddish hue) and is clad on both sides with another metal that even peeled off the base. The decorative motives are pretty basic and technically simple over the weekend I shall gently clean them and see what transpires.
Hope to find an inscription " This belongs to Mr. Pol Pot. Pretty please do not touch. Or else...."

Jason Anstey · 13th July 2007, 05:24 PM

Hahahaha

Yes I probably should have worded my thoughts a little better. - Its not going to be the lost heirloom piece missing from the Imperial Castle. However I have never seen any other guard/ tsuba thingy that has a hole exactly in position for a small knife other than Japanese. THe basic shape is Japanese-ish maybe a WW2 tourist GI piece from the islands that found its way to Cambodia?

Copper and soft metals are very common on genuine tsuba as are rough and basic designs. I dunno but the tsuba is the bit that had me intrigued?

Cheers

JAson

Mark · 13th July 2007, 05:34 PM

I think that it is more likely that the tsuba is an immitation. You see a strong Japanese influence on dha the further east you go in this area.

Maybe Rich Stein will have a comment on whether soft metal was ever used by the Japanese.

PUFF · 22nd July 2007, 06:10 PM

Very nice, indeed.

The first one, japanese influenced weapon with primitively made does not surprise me. There were active japanese soldier in Ayuthaya during 16c then they moved to Malaya peninsular and, later, to what so called today "cambodia". Steel composition and homnogenity might give some clue about its age.

I do not have any idea about the second knife. From pics, it looks like integral handle. Anyway, I could be wrong. Again, steel composition might give a hint.

The third one was a pole weapon. There are similar pieces in weaponary room at the Thai 's nation museum. This kind of weapon could be either considered as Khmer or Khmer-influenced Siam weapon. If it has thick spine, it 's not for only parade and you can put 100-200 yo (at least) on it.

11th July 2007, 05:29 PM	#1
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	I think Cambodian weapons are ripe for more research. Frankly, I have yet to really get a good appreciation for what, exactly, constitutes a "Cambodian" sword. Ian does have a few that defy easy insertion into the more familiar classification groups, but I think we've all tended to fall back on "Cambodian" as a default in such cases. Not to say the reasoning that gets us there isn't sound, just that it lacks extensive data to support it. Ariel, I like this group of weapons very much. Thanks for sharing with us. If you ever want to part with that pole-arm/sword catcher, please contact me immediately!

12th July 2007, 03:44 PM	#2
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	The second one is very interesting. No opinion about it being a polearm blade, but it sounds plausible. The features of a Cambodian dha are a sharp change or bend in the overall sweep of the sword between the blade and the handle, something Ian has identified, the presence often of a tsuba, and a scabbard with an upswept tip rather than the square or round ones seen in other dha. I don't think we have enough strongly-provenanced blades to really confirm whether these are consistent, nor indeed even if such swords are "Cambodian" (i.e., Khmer) as opposed to being of a Tai minority.

13th July 2007, 07:09 AM	#3
Jason Anstey Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 102	the first one does seem to have a Japanese appearance to the "tsuba" and basic blade shape. The tsuba has what looks to be an oval marking around the blade indicating it might have originally had a seppa (washer) also the oval hole is for a small utility knife (kozuka/ Kogatana). I apologise if these are very obvious comments. If you were able to remove the handle to we can see the tang then maybe more info will come to light. My guess is that it is a composite piece using an old japanese blade and tsuba? Cheers Jason

13th July 2007, 05:08 PM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Jason, Wish you were right..... No, there is no chance this blade was made my Masamune, Muramasa or even the most undistiguished Japanese smith This is a product of a very primitive village foundry, far, far away from Bizen... No sense disassemmbling it. The tsuba is , as you say, reminescent of a Japanese general geschtalt, but is definitely NOT Japanese either: its core is soft metal ( copper? I seem to see some reddish hue) and is clad on both sides with another metal that even peeled off the base. The decorative motives are pretty basic and technically simple over the weekend I shall gently clean them and see what transpires. Hope to find an inscription " This belongs to Mr. Pol Pot. Pretty please do not touch. Or else...."

13th July 2007, 05:24 PM	#5
Jason Anstey Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 102	Hahahaha Yes I probably should have worded my thoughts a little better. - Its not going to be the lost heirloom piece missing from the Imperial Castle. However I have never seen any other guard/ tsuba thingy that has a hole exactly in position for a small knife other than Japanese. THe basic shape is Japanese-ish maybe a WW2 tourist GI piece from the islands that found its way to Cambodia? Copper and soft metals are very common on genuine tsuba as are rough and basic designs. I dunno but the tsuba is the bit that had me intrigued? Cheers JAson

13th July 2007, 05:34 PM	#6
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	I think that it is more likely that the tsuba is an immitation. You see a strong Japanese influence on dha the further east you go in this area. Maybe Rich Stein will have a comment on whether soft metal was ever used by the Japanese.

22nd July 2007, 06:10 PM	#7
PUFF Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 30 miles north of Bangkok, 20 miles south of Ayuthaya, Thailand Posts: 224	Very nice, indeed. The first one, japanese influenced weapon with primitively made does not surprise me. There were active japanese soldier in Ayuthaya during 16c then they moved to Malaya peninsular and, later, to what so called today "cambodia". Steel composition and homnogenity might give some clue about its age. I do not have any idea about the second knife. From pics, it looks like integral handle. Anyway, I could be wrong. Again, steel composition might give a hint. The third one was a pole weapon. There are similar pieces in weaponary room at the Thai 's nation museum. This kind of weapon could be either considered as Khmer or Khmer-influenced Siam weapon. If it has thick spine, it 's not for only parade and you can put 100-200 yo (at least) on it.