Eunjangdo

Sajen · 29th April 2012, 03:52 PM

This is the reason why I love to be a member here!

Timo Nieminen · 2nd May 2012, 09:27 AM

Here's my one-and-only eunjangdo. Horn grip and scabbard, with silver(?) mounts. Unfortunately missing the mount over the underside and tip of the scabbard. It's very thin; the blade is 2.35 mm thick at the hilt, and the grip is 6.5 mm thick. The other side of the blade is flat.

I'm told by Koreans that these are, in terms of knife-use, purely suicide/self-defense knives (either being seen as acceptable for rape prevention), rather than being used for any kind of everyday utility tasks. Primarily for suicide, but killing the attacker would not be seen as dishonorable. For upper-class women only. Whether that means nobility or nobility + yangban (i.e., Korean gentry), I don't know, but I think the latter.

It also functioned as decoration and, more importantly, an indicator of class.

Sajen · 2nd May 2012, 06:43 PM

Hello Timo,

thank you for sharing the pictures of your nice example as well the further informations.

Here one which was sold recently by ebay but I believe that this one is not very old but a nice looking one with a similar mark at the blade. Grip and scabbard from white horn.

Regards,

Detlef

Rick · 3rd May 2012, 01:13 AM

I have concerns about the 'antiquity' of many of these pieces .

'Vintage' as a word covers a very wide swath ..

Sajen · 3rd May 2012, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I have concerns about the 'antiquity' of many of these pieces .

'Vintage' as a word covers a very wide swath ..

Hello Rick,

agree with you. The one I buy seems to be purchased from a american vet who fight in the Korea War. The seller told me like this and he have sold some other Korea items recently. So when my one is from this time it isn't antique. And the pictures don't show the age so I have to wait until I have it in my hands. Will post pictures when I have received it.

Regards,

Detlef

Timo Nieminen · 3rd May 2012, 09:46 PM

They still make these, and jangdo in general (jangdo = decorated knife, eunjango = silver decorated knife). Jangdo also includes knives for men (which can be much larger than the tiny women's eunjangdo), and eating/utility knives.

Some of them are of very high quality, with high prices to match. The modern cruder ones might be the cheap version. So not fakes as such, but modern costume pieces.

Up to the Japanese colonisation, these were everyday wear (for the appropriate classes).

Sajen · 7th May 2012, 09:13 PM

Thank you Timo, I think this thread is now very informative about this knifes. So i think when I see nice ones I will post them here.

Here one just ended by ebay but wasn't sold.

Regards,

Detlef

2nd May 2012, 09:27 AM	#2
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	Here's my one-and-only eunjangdo. Horn grip and scabbard, with silver(?) mounts. Unfortunately missing the mount over the underside and tip of the scabbard. It's very thin; the blade is 2.35 mm thick at the hilt, and the grip is 6.5 mm thick. The other side of the blade is flat. I'm told by Koreans that these are, in terms of knife-use, purely suicide/self-defense knives (either being seen as acceptable for rape prevention), rather than being used for any kind of everyday utility tasks. Primarily for suicide, but killing the attacker would not be seen as dishonorable. For upper-class women only. Whether that means nobility or nobility + yangban (i.e., Korean gentry), I don't know, but I think the latter. It also functioned as decoration and, more importantly, an indicator of class. Attached Images

2nd May 2012, 06:43 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,214	Hello Timo, thank you for sharing the pictures of your nice example as well the further informations. Here one which was sold recently by ebay but I believe that this one is not very old but a nice looking one with a similar mark at the blade. Grip and scabbard from white horn. Regards, Detlef Attached Images

7th May 2012, 09:13 PM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,214	Thank you Timo, I think this thread is now very informative about this knifes. So i think when I see nice ones I will post them here. Here one just ended by ebay but wasn't sold. Regards, Detlef Attached Images

29th April 2012, 03:52 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,214	This is the reason why I love to be a member here!

3rd May 2012, 01:13 AM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	I have concerns about the 'antiquity' of many of these pieces . 'Vintage' as a word covers a very wide swath ..

3rd May 2012, 09:46 PM	#6
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	They still make these, and jangdo in general (jangdo = decorated knife, eunjango = silver decorated knife). Jangdo also includes knives for men (which can be much larger than the tiny women's eunjangdo), and eating/utility knives. Some of them are of very high quality, with high prices to match. The modern cruder ones might be the cheap version. So not fakes as such, but modern costume pieces. Up to the Japanese colonisation, these were everyday wear (for the appropriate classes).