Sinhala / Sri Lankan Swords?

[Jim McDougall]

At last! I finally completed my three posts with images, posts #249, 250 and 251. Due to scanner issues I enlisted the help of my wife (my tech support) to use her phone to take these, so sorry for the drawn out grouping.

#249: Images of the Philip III sword from c1603, where this sword is in the Royal Armouries of Madrid as catalogued by Calvert in 1907. It is illustrated in "Armi Bianchi Italiene" (1975, opcit. and text on p.390).

What interesting here is the lionhead on this sword (of European form of course) and most notably the monster head on the scabbard tip .

It would seem that the use of figure heads was in place in Italy, and possibly elsewhere in Europe by mid 16th century, and as seen here, this and the 'monster' head were already featured on swords in Spain prior to the Hasekura mission.

If indeed the blade was produced in Spain placing this type of monster head on the peak of the blade, and spurious markings (as often placed) were added, could the second marking be a European attempt at Japanese characters?
I think we can rule out China as a place for blade provenance, and as seen, the Philippine possibility is out. Oriental influences seem quite present by the time of this sword c.1603.

The other images are pretty much explained in each post.

I want to note that these images and data are from the books referenced and photos using phone as noted.



***** Note: Apparantly there is conflict in whether the kastane and keris were acquired by Hasekura in Madrid at audience with Philip III.....or in another account which suggests these were obtained in Philippines -on behalf of Philip III ? Naturally confirmation of which is important in the consideration of these comparative examples.

[Prasanna Weerakkody]

Dear KukulzA

I am including a few references regarding a basic timeline of Sri Lankan swords primarily from the publication “Ancient Swords Daggers & Knives in the Sri Lankan museums” by P.H.D.H.De Silva and S. Wickramasinghe (2006)

You are correct that the Kasthana and the D guard swords are the last common forms of the Sinhala swords. The earliest swords where evidence survive from the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa kingdoms going back more than 2000 bp. were mostly down curved swords and straight long double edged blades. There are many forms of short curved and Gladius type weapons illustrated but with little surviving artifacts. the early types are always simple and in-ornate. the transformation of ornate arms (in general) is possibly in the Gampola or Dambadeni kingdom era and couple of centuries prior to the arrival of the portuguese. the massive destruction wrought on by the portuguese destroyed most of the incidental evidence that would have assisted in constructing a proper timeline.

Vandoo the proper spelling is Sri Lanka and not SIRI Lanka

Regards
Prasanna

[Prasanna Weerakkody]

sorry images failed to attach- re sending

Prasanna

[Prasanna Weerakkody]

Adding two more swords. including "Kandy ritual sword" extracted from a paper by G.L.Anandalal Nanayakkara (included in the above publication) which I believe is a valuable link as a transitional surviving link between the polonnanruwa era swords and the Kasthana. it also contain predecessors of the animal forms on the guards as well.

p.s. there is a class of replica weapons used in Devala and Kovils where different deities are worshiped. the arms used usually parallel actual arms in use at the time. so IF this was only a "ritual sword" there was very likely a real arm as well at that period of a similar form.

prasanna

[Gustav]

Dear Prasanna, thank you for these posts. At least something substantial and relevant here.

[fernando]

Magnificent material Prasana.
Although not properly substantial but, i suppose, based on serious evidence, is the 'calachurro', if you allow me to go back to this subject, already posted in #71 and #82. This could have been a non adorned but certainly popular field edged weapon, manifestly used during the XVII century, if not before, perhaps only so far missing chroniclers to have written about it.
It is not a coincidence that Antonio Bocarro mentioned it in 1635, João Ribeiro in 1685 and Friar João de Queiroz in 1687.
This short sword, named by Ribeiro as traçado, potentialy the wrong spelling for terçado, name that, in the short sword typology, refers a rather short sword with a wide blade. He precised its length being of 2 1/2 palms (some 55 cms.); while Bocarro refers to its wide and short blade, although not much curved. Friar João de Queiroz emphasizes its frequent resource in combat.
Sebastião Dalgado (1855-1922), author of works like Dialect Indo-Portuguese of Ceylon, in his Luso-Asiatic glossary, in atempting that calachurro is a portuguesation of Kãla + Churi (dead knife = killing knife) is afirmative in that in modern times its name shifted to Kirichchya, a term borrowed from the Malay keris.
I know i am repeating myself but am wondering that, at light of later research and developments, you might have new assumptions on this subject ... like, for example, atempting on match between the Kãlachuri and some of the images posted, as also with the examples shown by VVV in his post #8, which book H. Parker's Ancient Ceylon you 'might' have.
I am sorry for returning to an old approach ... only hoping it could by now contribute a little more to Siri Lankan swords theme.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Gustav

Dear Prasanna, thank you for these posts. At least something substantial and relevant here.

I absolutely agree that Prasanna has continually presented outstanding and profoundly significant material here. Thank you so much Prasanna.
I think it is important to note that he is Sri Lankan and not only with excellent resources in the location we are trying to learn more on, but rightfully proud of his heritage.

We others that are trying to learn more are using whatever resources we have, and making an honest effort to present and analyze whatever we can to develop our understanding. I know that I have had books strewn about along with many years of notes from earlier researches for days here in this limited space I have. I spent many hours yesterday and the day before going through resources and with difficulties trying to post images etc.
My goal was to illustrate what European sources may have influenced the kastane in its traditional form.

There seems to be a derisive posture toward the efforts of some of us to enter into discussion using the material and data we have available. I would point out that we have done so in good faith, and our intentions have only been to learn more on these intriguing weapons.

How unfortunate that common courtesy cannot prevail without these kinds of comments.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Gustav

Dear Prasanna, thank you for these posts. At least something substantial and relevant here.

Salaams Gustav, If I can simply illustrate how far we have advanced on this thread our understanding of the developed main thrust of this topic "The Kastane " and incidentally the broader view regarding other Sri Lankan weapons as well as the fine addition by Prasanne on the likely origins of the sword seen on the Sri Lankan National Flag etc;

We are perhaps close to identifying the Japanese item with what could well be a Falchion/Storta blade ... which forms a great little side avenue for research and which has taken many hours of deliberate and exacting research. The avenue includes potential links to oriental weapons and influence through Portuguese involvement in Sri Lankan designs from the outset in 1505. The journey by Hasekura Tsunenaga has been an amazing episode where parallel research opened my eyes in addition to the Sri Lankan/Chinese relations with the Ming dynasty etc. Getting a clear picture of Hasekura's involvement has been confounded by incomplete data and conflicting reports but I believe we are much better informed than before and despite the idiosyncrasies of 400 years of clouded detail understandably lost in time.

Much of the involvement by the three invaders Portuguese, Dutch and British has been unfurled and their effects on the key weapon in the Sri Lankan blades arsenal; The Kastane. We have observed the link with the Royal Workshops, the development of the weapon as a Court Sword and badge of office and rank. The ancient historical link and influence of design by Buddhist/Hindu pre-history has been given great attention.

Over all great strides have been made in our understanding; Therefor I have to ask of your remark above...Is that the best you can do?

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Therefor I have to ask of your remark above...Is that the best you can do?

Let's not go down this path, please.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by Gustav

Dear Prasanna, thank you for these posts. At least something substantial and relevant here.

What an uncharitable and unproductive comment, Gustav. Troll-like, even.

I suggest a vacation from this thread.