Ainu sword?
length: 24 1/2"
When I bought this, it was identified as Korean, and I'm sure I've seen examples before but cannot track down reference. Korean expert at San Antonio Japanese Sword Show 1998 said it wasn't Korean. Most definetly from Far East or South East Asia, exact origin unknown. Shares many characteristics with Japanese swords, particularly shape and ridge lines and nagako.
note received 1/31/01 from kendoguy:
note received from Peter Bleed, 1/26/01:
"I just discovered the interesting image you have posted as a "korean
sword." Like Kendoguy, I believe that it is an Ainu sword. Kendoguy gave
you plenty of good reasons. All I can add is that it "looks" Ainu. The
feature that i think is the most obvious give away is the so-called
"bracket" designs. These are classic features of ainu carving. In the
case of your sword it looks like they are cut thru an panel that is
overlaid on the side of the scabbard.
The blade also looks like typical Ainu one. It do not this it ever
was a Japanese sword but there were ainu smiths and lots of trade goods
were made for the Ainu as well. A museum I worked in in Japan had a
fairly large ainu collection that included a number of swords. They had
the 'slab-side' design and the same kind of -well- crude engraving. I
agree with kendoguy that dating to the Meiji period is about right."
Thanks for the info, guys!
blade: 20"
blade width: 1 5/16"
tang: 4 1/2"
weight: 14 oz
"i was looking at your web site, in hopes that you might have an Ainu
sword
for sale as you have a great deal of tribal and ethnic weapons. sadly i
didn't see anything that looked Ainu for sale, but i did notice a sword
from
your personal collection, and it does share some typical Ainu traits. the
blade is a total mystery to me at this point due to limited photos but the
saya is what would make me think of Ainu. first indicator that i would use
would be the very end of the saya. unlike normal Japanese swords whose
saya
is rounded (especially for a wakizashi length sword). the Ainu, if they
carved a new saya for their sword would always carve a flat end. the other
give away is the panelling on the side of the saya. as the Ainu were
master
wood workers they would always either carve panells into the sides of the
saya
, or inlay them with other woods. it appears on your sword that the side
of
the scabard is inlayed with another wood. while that is not in it's self a
dead give away, the area that was not carved or inlayed might be. from the
looks of it, the mouth of the saya and about dead center of the saya are
left
plain on your example. these two area were left plain because they would
be
covered by an attush a type of shoulder sling or sash to carry the sword
across the shoulder.
the blade does have a typical Japanese profile, but seems very rough, and
unfinished. it could be a trade blade from the Meiji era, or it could have
been decorated by an Ainu. it is a shame that the tsuka is missing as that
is
the easiest way to tell if it is an Ainu sword. they would use the
Japanese
hilt until it wore out, then would replace it with an Ainu typical hilt.
what
is most unique about Ainu hilt types is what is called a birds head
pommel.
the pommel would be pointed something like a birds beak. this would
symbolize
Chika Kamuii a bird god."