Ainu Sword

Ed · August 23, 2013

Recently received this sword and of course my first thought is Ainu. However, as I know nothing about Ainu swords I thought I would post it here for the opinion of the board members.

It seems to fit the general description in the way the blade and saya are carved. The horimono depict clouds (?) and but I have not been able to locate a photo of one with this motif. I don't have any books on the Ainu but from what I have found on the web, both the horimono and the saya match their style of workmanship.

Any Ainu collectors, experts or other members comments, opinions, examples are welcome.

One photos is posted here, if you care to see the remaining photos I have included a link to them in order not to waste the NMB bandwidth.

http://yakiba.com/wak_Ainu.htm

cabowen · August 23, 2013

Peter Bleed has been into the Ainu swords for a long while. He would be a good person to ask....

Ed · August 23, 2013

Chris,

I sent him a message regarding it.

Thanks,

Ed

Any other opinions are welcome.

Lance · August 23, 2013

I found a link to this one that looks pretty close to yours (towards the bottom the article mentions Peter Bleed mentioning that it looks Ainu)

http://therionarms.com/whatsit/ttoy4.html

and an interesting link to another Ainu sword and mounts along with carrying belt/sash

http://www.penn.museum/collections/object/129395

Regards,

Lance

Peter Bleed · August 24, 2013

Ed,

this is absolutely an "Ainu Sword." from my experience, that category can include a couple of different kinds of swords. 1) Most of the things classed as Ainu cutlery are Japanese 'knives" of various kinds that were imported from Japan and mounted and attractively fitted out for regular use by the Ainu. 2) Then there are "Japanese" blades that were tricked out to be used as essentially ceremonial gifts to local leaders in Hokkaido. These are often clunky, big swords with gross fittings, odd bits of kodogu, and rough - but Japanese - blades. Colonial powers used these sorts of things across the world during the 'Age of Exploration" to mark, reward, and trick out guys who the colonial powers viewed as allies. "Peace Medals","Chiefs' Grade Trade Fusils", are North American examples. There are other examples from Africa, Siberia, and Australia. 3) Finally, there are sword like this that were clearly mounted by the Ainu AND made on blade that appear not to have been made by Japanese swordsmiths. There were Ainu smiths, but it is also possible that some of these blade originated elsewhere in northeast Asia. They are big hirazukuri shoto, often with - ahhh - crude horimono, and unsigned narrow nakago. Obviously, I would class this sword in the last category. A catalog from the Shiogama jinja presents a bunch of these blades - like 20 of them. I am impressed that in that catalog, the bare blades are presented entirely unpolished and l in pretty rough 'as found' condition. In other words, the folks at shiogama - who should know - seemed NOT to be treating them like Nippon-to

Ainu sword were either working knives, or largely ceremonial objects, given and worn as rank indicators by men who were involved in the middle to late Edo period Japanese management of their northern frontier. At least that the story I think that makes most sense. They are "ethnographic art". and this one is a nice one.

Thanks for showing.

Peter

P. S. Chris, thanks for remembering my interest. Oh, and please remember me when you see a Sendai Kunikane!

Gabriel L · August 24, 2013

This is all extremely interesting. I never realized (although it should have been logical) that Ainu culture was separate enough to result in a distinct category of swords. Thanks for posting this one, Ed.

Ed · August 24, 2013

Lance thanks for the links, I had seen the first one but not the second. Interesting the way the menuki were simply tied onto the tsuka.

Peter, thank you for the information and the call. In the back of my mind knew this was Ainu, but very much appreciate the confirmation.

Gabriel, glad you liked it.

Hope other viewers enjoyed it as well.

uwe · August 29, 2013

Yep.....

Randomizer · February 5, 2024

Great thread and hard to find info on these. I am considering preserving a similar cerimonial sword for purchase and donation to a museum. Was trying to get a rough value on the purchase price of one (of course wide range based on condition). It is a cerimonial sword with sash in moderate condition. Any idea to the rarity and value of this item? Confirmed Ainu and checks out with data on this thread and elsewhere.

Brian · February 5, 2024

Pics are going to be vital.
Museum donation is a touchy subject here. My view is that in most cases, it is the best way to have it degrade and be stuffed away in a drawer somewhere to be forever denied preservation. We all have stories of swords rusting away in museums that will never be displayed. Hopefully your intended one is different, but years from now...promises to share with the world are usually forgotten. If you do it, perhaps do a long term loan with the option of taking it back eventually.