The Sendai Keris

A. G. Maisey · 2nd August 2010, 06:48 AM

Hasekura Tsunenaga was a Japanese samurai and diplomat who was born in 1571 and died in 1622.

He undertook diplomatic missions to the Americas, Europe, and the Philippine Islands.

He returned from his mission the the Philippines in 1620, and amongst the things he brought with him was a keris from the Indies, that is, Indonesia.

That keris can now be found in the Sendai City Museum in Japan.

Here is a picture of the keris brought to Japan in 1620 by Hasekura Tsunenaga.

David · 2nd August 2010, 01:54 PM

That's interesting. Too bad we don't have some better images.

Gustav · 2nd August 2010, 02:38 PM

Here two interesting links, which are an absolute must:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_Masamune - about the famous daimyo of Sendai, one of the Japans christian daimyos, who sent this ambassy;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasekura_Tsunenaga

About Sendai Keris: it isn't clear, where exactly it was obtained. There are also a hypothesis, it was given to Tsunenaga in Spain (by Spanish king) or in Rome (by pope). Philppines is just another hypothesis.

Clear is, that such a weapon must be given by a very high rang person as a status symbol.

The most interesting thing, besides the keris himself (a magnificient keris with perfect details and early stile kinatah, also a figural hilt) is the sheath, where on atasan a symbol, which seems to be a christian one, is depicted, together with alas-alasan motifs on the gandar.

Somewhat better pictures are to be find in Jensen's Krisdisk.

David · 2nd August 2010, 03:51 PM

Maybe this photo will help.

ADDED: Actually, nw that i look more closely, this is the same photo which Alan cropped just to show the keris....but at least it is a bit larger.

Jim McDougall · 2nd August 2010, 05:15 PM

It is interesting to note that this same mission apparantly acquired one of the earliest provenanced examples of the kastane (in the familiar sinha hilt with makaras) of which I am aware. This early example kastane is also on display in the Sendai Museum, perhaps part of the same exhibit, with this material in "The Unique Kastane Sword in Japan" by Dr. P.H.D.H. DeSilva in an article from Nov. 15,1998 listed as in the "Sunday Observer". It notes that Tsunenaga was a vassal of the Daimyo of Sendai and left on the Keicho Mission in 1613, returning in 1620, noting visits to Mexico, Madrid and Rome.

As noted, details of provenance of this, as with the keris, seem a bit vague, and acquiring these suggest visits to these places but apparantly remain unclear.

A. G. Maisey · 3rd August 2010, 12:16 AM

post deleted

to be continued

2nd August 2010, 06:48 AM	#1
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,893	The Sendai Keris Hasekura Tsunenaga was a Japanese samurai and diplomat who was born in 1571 and died in 1622. He undertook diplomatic missions to the Americas, Europe, and the Philippine Islands. He returned from his mission the the Philippines in 1620, and amongst the things he brought with him was a keris from the Indies, that is, Indonesia. That keris can now be found in the Sendai City Museum in Japan. Here is a picture of the keris brought to Japan in 1620 by Hasekura Tsunenaga. Attached Images

2nd August 2010, 03:51 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,124	Maybe this photo will help. ADDED: Actually, nw that i look more closely, this is the same photo which Alan cropped just to show the keris....but at least it is a bit larger. Attached Images

2nd August 2010, 01:54 PM	#2
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,124	That's interesting. Too bad we don't have some better images.

2nd August 2010, 02:38 PM	#3
Gustav Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,249	Here two interesting links, which are an absolute must: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Date_Masamune - about the famous daimyo of Sendai, one of the Japans christian daimyos, who sent this ambassy; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasekura_Tsunenaga About Sendai Keris: it isn't clear, where exactly it was obtained. There are also a hypothesis, it was given to Tsunenaga in Spain (by Spanish king) or in Rome (by pope). Philppines is just another hypothesis. Clear is, that such a weapon must be given by a very high rang person as a status symbol. The most interesting thing, besides the keris himself (a magnificient keris with perfect details and early stile kinatah, also a figural hilt) is the sheath, where on atasan a symbol, which seems to be a christian one, is depicted, together with alas-alasan motifs on the gandar. Somewhat better pictures are to be find in Jensen's Krisdisk.

2nd August 2010, 05:15 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,946	It is interesting to note that this same mission apparantly acquired one of the earliest provenanced examples of the kastane (in the familiar sinha hilt with makaras) of which I am aware. This early example kastane is also on display in the Sendai Museum, perhaps part of the same exhibit, with this material in "The Unique Kastane Sword in Japan" by Dr. P.H.D.H. DeSilva in an article from Nov. 15,1998 listed as in the "Sunday Observer". It notes that Tsunenaga was a vassal of the Daimyo of Sendai and left on the Keicho Mission in 1613, returning in 1620, noting visits to Mexico, Madrid and Rome. As noted, details of provenance of this, as with the keris, seem a bit vague, and acquiring these suggest visits to these places but apparantly remain unclear.

3rd August 2010, 12:16 AM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 6,893	post deleted to be continued