The Sinhalese Kastane: Its Development, Decoration and Symbolism

fernando · 13th March 2014, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

... It is from the word "Deus" which quite literally means "god"...

Wait a minute

Deus is precisely how we spell God in portuguese; you could have asked me that one

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

BTW, it was not your "avalanche of words" that i was referring to in my previous post.

Jim knows that; but he is a true chevalier

fernando · 13th March 2014, 10:34 PM

Ah ... cross posts within two minutes flat

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 14th March 2014, 05:20 PM

Salaams all

~ An interesting excursion and vignette into the cultural and traditional influence of the Portuguese upon Sri Lanka is nicely outlined at http://www.lusotopie.sciencespoborde...jayasuriya.pdf

Perhaps more to the point...an outline of the Gannoruwa battle in which the Portuguese were routed is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ki...08-1687%29.jpg and artwork already recorded at forum showing the type of sword is recorded there... Although this is relatively updated artwork it does appear to have been copied from a 1693 book thus may well be accurate and in describing the lodgement of the kings sword "A Kastane" in the national shrine ...after the battle.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Prasanna Weerakkody · 15th March 2014, 02:17 PM

Some additional images with kasthana to add to Ibrahiim's

- from Herport 1669 (drummers) and Knox 1681 the Knox illustrations were done by an artist in Europe with instructions from the author so the limitations in the similarity of the Kasthana can be attributed to that; as similar mild omissions are seen in other aspects of the illustration as well, but the lion headed hilt and the typical Kasthana scabbard is distinct in the illustration

regards

Prasanna

fernando · 15th March 2014, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prasanna Weerakkody

... but the lion headed hilt and the typical Kasthana scabbard is distinct in the illustration ...

But not the lower recurved (fake) quillons

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 15th March 2014, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prasanna Weerakkody

Some additional images with kasthana to add to Ibrahiim's

- from Herport 1669 (drummers) and Knox 1681 the Knox illustrations were done by an artist in Europe with instructions from the author so the limitations in the similarity of the Kasthana can be attributed to that; as similar mild omissions are seen in other aspects of the illustration as well, but the lion headed hilt and the typical Kasthana scabbard is distinct in the illustration

regards

Prasanna

Salaams Prasanna ~ Excellent artwork in support of this entire document. As you point out however this is "directed artwork" but nontheless important since it does show the king with his Kastane and I assume the same weapon that was donated to the shrine. The artwork of similar detail at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ki...08-1687%29.jpg also shows the monumental and ornate "sash" which also appears down the centuries from which the Kastane is hung. It would be interesting to determine at what point or bracket in time the blade of the Kastane changed from straight to curved...and in a previous post you alluded to that phenomena...
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Prasanna Weerakkody · 15th March 2014, 05:11 PM

Fernando; I believe that is an omission by the artist who had not seen the kasthana himself. Similar errors abound in his work but there is also much that can be corroborated with known sources to give a level of credibility to the material included.

Ibrahiim the image of King Rajasinge II is also from Knox- and by the same artist as the illustration I included. both the I and II Rajasinhe’s had a habit of donating swords to both Buddhist and Hindu temples as tokens of battle victories. but from what I have seen is quite often these turn out to be Portuguese swords possibly belonging to the vanquished enemy captains. I am not sure if King Rajasinghe II sword has properly been identified in collections yet. Knox remained a captive in Kandy for near 2 decades and had audience with the King on many occasions- so his description could be believed

Regards

Prasanna

Prasanna Weerakkody · 15th March 2014, 05:16 PM

Ibrahiim; Just to note that except in the case of Kings and then later era mudelliers serving under colonial masters- Kashane was not worn on a sash, but hung from the belt usually with a spring loaded clip or a loop on the scabbard.

Prasanna

14th March 2014, 05:20 PM	#3
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Salaams all ~ An interesting excursion and vignette into the cultural and traditional influence of the Portuguese upon Sri Lanka is nicely outlined at http://www.lusotopie.sciencespoborde...jayasuriya.pdf Perhaps more to the point...an outline of the Gannoruwa battle in which the Portuguese were routed is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ki...08-1687%29.jpg and artwork already recorded at forum showing the type of sword is recorded there... Although this is relatively updated artwork it does appear to have been copied from a 1693 book thus may well be accurate and in describing the lodgement of the kings sword "A Kastane" in the national shrine ...after the battle. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 14th March 2014 at 07:38 PM.

15th March 2014, 02:17 PM	#4
Prasanna Weerakkody Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sri Lanka Posts: 52	Some additional images with kasthana to add to Ibrahiim's - from Herport 1669 (drummers) and Knox 1681 the Knox illustrations were done by an artist in Europe with instructions from the author so the limitations in the similarity of the Kasthana can be attributed to that; as similar mild omissions are seen in other aspects of the illustration as well, but the lion headed hilt and the typical Kasthana scabbard is distinct in the illustration regards Prasanna Attached Images

13th March 2014, 10:34 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Ah ... cross posts within two minutes flat

15th March 2014, 05:11 PM	#7
Prasanna Weerakkody Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sri Lanka Posts: 52	Fernando; I believe that is an omission by the artist who had not seen the kasthana himself. Similar errors abound in his work but there is also much that can be corroborated with known sources to give a level of credibility to the material included. Ibrahiim the image of King Rajasinge II is also from Knox- and by the same artist as the illustration I included. both the I and II Rajasinhe’s had a habit of donating swords to both Buddhist and Hindu temples as tokens of battle victories. but from what I have seen is quite often these turn out to be Portuguese swords possibly belonging to the vanquished enemy captains. I am not sure if King Rajasinghe II sword has properly been identified in collections yet. Knox remained a captive in Kandy for near 2 decades and had audience with the King on many occasions- so his description could be believed Regards Prasanna

15th March 2014, 05:16 PM	#8
Prasanna Weerakkody Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Sri Lanka Posts: 52	Ibrahiim; Just to note that except in the case of Kings and then later era mudelliers serving under colonial masters- Kashane was not worn on a sash, but hung from the belt usually with a spring loaded clip or a loop on the scabbard. Prasanna