Chinese sabre blade believed of late Ming dynasty with svastika markings

sta94 · 19th August 2009, 10:52 AM

Hello everybody, my first post on this fascinating forum. I'm very new to collecting so everything I read here is a learning experience. Anyways, saw this thread and thought I should add something to the discussion:

Swastikas painted on the walls and roof of a home in Bhutan - notice similarity with the design on the Japanese sword. I asked the house-lady and she told me the design, like many things in Bhutan, is Tibetan in origin. I know this thread is about swastikas on swords, but am posting these images below because of their similarity with the Japanese sword design.

Now, to keep the post fully relevant, check out this gubor (pommel) of an old Bhutanese patang that has been in my wife's family for several generations. This is the backside of the gubor, the front-side has pierced work more usually seen. In the background you can see more swastikas painted on the edges of the house's door area.

You will find swastikas in various designs all over the Himalayas, Tibet and South Asia as ancient Hindu and Buddhist religious symbols. Hope you find this interesting.

Jim McDougall · 19th August 2009, 09:45 PM

Thanks everybody for the great responses and excellent illustrations you have added to this thread!
This subject has been on my mind a long time, but never got around to addressing it, and you guys have really added outstanding perspective.

Sta94, welcome to the forums, and very impressive entrance contribution. Thank you, and really look forward to your participation here!!

All best regards,
Jim

Jianke168 · 27th November 2020, 04:56 AM

The twin dragon Chinese Ming dynasty HuShou (guard) has been imported/exported to Japan and modified with Kogai-hitsu-Ana (by-knife hole) to accomodate the custom of carrying a by-knife with the katana. The dragons are on the handle side, while the blade side shows the swastika/Wan (ten thousand character). If it weren't for the seppa/washer of the sword, all the swastika false-damascening would be rubbed off. (this is from my own collection)

The Korean Hwando has Chinese and Japanese elements. Close inspection of the pommel shows the swastika/Wan character pattern, also applied by false-damascening technique. (this was found on the internet)

David R · 30th November 2020, 03:12 PM

Article.....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29644591

A quote

"Single swastikas began to appear in the Neolithic Vinca culture across south-eastern Europe around 7,000 years ago. But it's in the Bronze Age that they became more widespread across the whole of Europe."

27th November 2020, 04:56 AM	#3
Jianke168 Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1	Svastika or Wan Character on Chinese and Korean fittings The twin dragon Chinese Ming dynasty HuShou (guard) has been imported/exported to Japan and modified with Kogai-hitsu-Ana (by-knife hole) to accomodate the custom of carrying a by-knife with the katana. The dragons are on the handle side, while the blade side shows the swastika/Wan (ten thousand character). If it weren't for the seppa/washer of the sword, all the swastika false-damascening would be rubbed off. (this is from my own collection) The Korean Hwando has Chinese and Japanese elements. Close inspection of the pommel shows the swastika/Wan character pattern, also applied by false-damascening technique. (this was found on the internet) Attached Images

19th August 2009, 10:52 AM	#1
sta94 Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 16	Hello everybody, my first post on this fascinating forum. I'm very new to collecting so everything I read here is a learning experience. Anyways, saw this thread and thought I should add something to the discussion: Swastikas painted on the walls and roof of a home in Bhutan - notice similarity with the design on the Japanese sword. I asked the house-lady and she told me the design, like many things in Bhutan, is Tibetan in origin. I know this thread is about swastikas on swords, but am posting these images below because of their similarity with the Japanese sword design. Now, to keep the post fully relevant, check out this gubor (pommel) of an old Bhutanese patang that has been in my wife's family for several generations. This is the backside of the gubor, the front-side has pierced work more usually seen. In the background you can see more swastikas painted on the edges of the house's door area. You will find swastikas in various designs all over the Himalayas, Tibet and South Asia as ancient Hindu and Buddhist religious symbols. Hope you find this interesting.

19th August 2009, 09:45 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,189	Thanks everybody for the great responses and excellent illustrations you have added to this thread! This subject has been on my mind a long time, but never got around to addressing it, and you guys have really added outstanding perspective. Sta94, welcome to the forums, and very impressive entrance contribution. Thank you, and really look forward to your participation here!! All best regards, Jim

30th November 2020, 03:12 PM	#4
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,114	Article..... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-29644591 A quote "Single swastikas began to appear in the Neolithic Vinca culture across south-eastern Europe around 7,000 years ago. But it's in the Bronze Age that they became more widespread across the whole of Europe."