Re: Digest Number 1289

Yes, Its a Chinese copy and poorly made too. The swastikas are not
swastikas . They are the reverse of the German swastikas. In Japan, it
is a
Buddhist symbol. They are also found in the Southwest area of the United
States on Indian pottery. Japanese swordsmiths never did gold engraving
on
blades. Again, it is not worth the trouble to restore it since it is
badly
made.

---------------


Sooo,What are you trying to tell us? Were you going to show this Sword or
what? Kee...


No, not at all. It's not my sword, and I hadn't seen one like it. He
didn't pay that much for it, so it's unfortunate, but at least someone is
able to tell the difference. I haven't held it, or seen it in person, and
just wanted to know what the story was about it, not having seen one
before, like that. I think my Iaito is also a Taiwan blade, not worth a
lot, but it was a gift from my Sensei, so that's all it needs to be for
me. This one, my friend just picked up at some sale in the West Bottoms
in Kansas City. Does anyone know what the reverse swatstikas signify? I
hadn't seen them, either, but then, I don't do a lot of looking, a sword
is not something I'm into collecting, if it isn't functional, it's not
worth much to me. It's too bad, I think he had hoped it was a treasure,
but that's clearly not the case.
I really appreciate the information, though. I have no investment
emotionally or financially, in the katana, but I promised him I'd ask til
I found out what the story about the sword was. As a friend. It's great
that there are so many knowledgeable people on this list, I got nowhere
asking on E Budo. My sincere thanks to you that helped me with the
information.

sincerely
Sharon Hayakawa

"Does anyone know what the reverse swastikas signify?"
In Buddhism, these symbols signify the heart and mind of the Buddha. These symbols are also used as general 'good luck signs' in many Asian cultures as well.

Sharon-
Your sword is likely of Chinese or South-Asian manufacture as has been
said. The inlay suggest south Asia as this was popular there. The inclusion
of a date is also very interesting though all the kanji cannot be made out
from the photo.

Not that I am an expert but what this looks like is what is known as an
occupied territory sword. Swords made in the areas occupied by the Japanese
before and during the Pacific War made by local craftsmen with local
materials after the Japanese fashion. The very same techniques used then
are being applied now to make the knock-offs we so often from Chinese
sellers. This looks like it may in fact be older (40 or 50 years) but
someone has clearly gussied up the scabbard and etched the blade (hence the
very visible striations). The tsuba looks like a charcoal brick because it
has been burnt, likely in an attempt to age it artificially. Also the sharp
angle of the kissaki is a bad sign, not likely the blade was originally
Japanese but if it were the value is lost because the tip would have to be
drastically reshaped to save it.

Key questions are; what does the tang of the blade look like and what are
the kanji given in the date? Clearly this is not treasure to sword
collectors but may be an interesting bit of history and not just pure and
simple fakery.

Your friend can learn much more by following the links found here;

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm

We recommend anyone with an interest in swords join us at
nihonto@yahoogroups.com and to seek out fellow enthusiasts at their local
sword club,

Tom Helm
ncjsc.org

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Hi.

> "Does anyone know what the reverse swastikas signify?"
> In Buddhism, these symbols signify the heart and mind of the Buddha. These symbols

are also used as general 'good luck signs' in many Asian cultures as well.

I believe that the "manji" is a depiction of the "wheel of life" hence its significance as a
Buddhist symbol. Actually, you will find the swastika of both orientations used in this sort
of context in quite a few places across Asia over a remarkably long period. Or so I recall.
While orientation is significant in Japanese kamon, it does not make the opposite
orientation in any way impossible for use as a kamon. First time visitors to Nara may be
taken back to find a swastika on all of the manhole covers in the city. This has no political
significance beyond the manji being the traditional civic symbol for Nara.

"I believe that the "manji" is a depiction of the "wheel of life" hence
its significance as a
Buddhist symbol."
The wheel of life (the Dharma Wheel) is eight spoked-it's not
a 'swastika' (manji). The swastika was called the 'wheel of the sun'
and was around before Buddhism came into being, being an auspicious
symbol in many cultures of Asia. It was adopted by Buddhism and besides
the 'heart and mind' of Buddha, it it also used to signify the
footprints of Buddha in Japan.
We have a small shrine out in front of our house in Kyoto and when
showing a picture of our home to American friends, the first thing they
always want to know about is the 'swastika'. Kyoto is loaded with them,
just like Nara ^_^.

Here are some more interesting meanings for the 'manji' (Buddhist swastika) courtesy of Alternative Religions.com:
"The swastika used in Buddhist art and scripture is known as a manji (whirlwind), and represents Dharma, universal harmony, and the balance of opposites. It is derived from the Hindu religious swastika, but it is not identical in meaning.
The Manji is made up of several elements- a vertical axis representing the joining of heaven and earth, a horizontal axis representing the connection of yin and yang, and the four arms, representing movement- the whirling force created by the interaction of these elements.
When facing left, it is the Omote (front facing) Manji, representing love and mercy. Facing right, it represents strength and intelligence, and is called the Ura (rear facing) Manji.
In Zen Buddhism, the Manji represents the ideal harmony between love and intellect."
I found it interesting that even though the manji is not the wheel of Dharma, it still represents part of the concept. The manji also seemingly has different meanings for different Japanese sects (which really shouldn't surprise me, but does).

Hi.

I do not doubt that you will find plenty of interpretations of the
manji in Japan. You will find interesting interpretations for gasho as
well. However, as someone already pointed out, the symbol itself is old
and, as I recall, can be found in Iran before the historical buddha was
born. That said, its incorporation into Buddhism is probably rather
more straightforward than being suggested by some here. While sun
symbolism could link the maji with Amaterasu in Japan, the symbol
itself appears to have come across from the continent.