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Post by kk on Dec 15, 2019 15:30:08 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2019 15:33:47 GMT
I am very impressed by this new sword. Well done! When is it likely to become available?
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Post by kk on Dec 15, 2019 15:41:32 GMT
Thank you for your encouragement and support. The sword is available now and is a great success in China since most people do not have access to the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art lkchensword.com/double-dragon |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2019 15:47:47 GMT
That's true. Chinese swords are popular with Chinese people today, but I never thought about original Chinese swords being located in museums and collections outside of China. I think what you're doing for Chinese collectors in China is very important work. You're preserving history.
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Post by kk on Dec 15, 2019 16:10:18 GMT
This National Treasure, Double Dragon Sui Dao was unearthed in a Royal Tomb outside Loyang, the capital of Sui Dynasty in the 1930. Brought to New York City by Antique dealer Yamanaka Sadajirō, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadajir%C5%8D_Yamanaka, one of the most important Chinese antique dealers of 20th century who open antique shops in New York, London, Boston and Peking. The sword was bought from Yanamaka and Co. by American financier. Mr. Clarence Hungerford Mackay and generously gifted to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Since the 1930 and up till now, the Double Dragon Sui Dao was exhibited in the Arms and Armor division of the Metropolitan museum, together with all the wonderful swords from around the world. For 90 years since the 1930, people can only view this sword through the glass case until 2019 LK Chen brought this sword back to life so for those interested can have a close replica (sans the gilded gold and silver fittings) and feel the history in her hand. |
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Post by kk on Dec 15, 2019 16:12:40 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2019 16:23:55 GMT
A Japanese antique dealer and an Irish American preserved a Chinese sword? That's an amazing story in itself. I think this sword ought to be returned to China someday.
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Post by kk on Dec 22, 2019 18:12:16 GMT
lkchensword.com/double-dragon The story of the Journey from Lo-Yang (China) to New York (USA) in the 1930 and the people involved in the former and current life of the Double Dragons Sui Dao is now added to the page. While the Sui Dao is considered a National Treasure, being in the New York Metropolitan is a fitting place for the Sui Dao. Sui Dao is special because it include the design elements of classical Chinese Han Dao ie the Ring and the long and narrow blade, and the Iranian double hung design. This Ring Pommel (Chinese) and Double Hung (Iranian) design was added a new elements, the hand guard in the Sui Dynasty. And this design was exported through Korea to Japan. In the Arms and Armor collection in Metropolitan Museum, not far from the Sui Dao is a fine example of a golden Iranian saber with the double hung design. In the same display case of the Sui Dao are the comtemporary Japanese Ring Pommel Dao of the 4th to 7th Century, sharing similar design. Across the hallway is the formidable Japanese Katana, descendent of the Chinese Sui/Tang Dao. Where else in the world, can the whole history of the changes and influence of these swords be seen in a single place ? So I think the Sui Dao is in the right place, representing one link of the cultural interactions in sword designs in the ancient world.
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Post by kk on Dec 25, 2019 7:44:35 GMT
For collectors who like to have an authentic 1:1 recreation of the NY Metropolitan Sui Dao, an Original Length Handle Edition is available. As well as the Extended Handle Edition.
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Post by kk on Dec 25, 2019 8:08:44 GMT
One other possibility is that the original owner of the New York Metropolitan Sui Dao is a LEFT HANDED person. That the owner wear the sword hanging from the RIGHT SIDE of the body. If hanging this way, the 2 hanger ring on the scabbard will be on the outside and the flat pin protector will be against the body, make it a lot more comfortable when the scabbard bang against the body. when draw the sword with the LEFT HAND, the wrist band ring and pin will position just behind the small finger of the left hand, and the cord loop extending from the handle ring will fit quite well to the left wrist. The left palm will have the full smooth 14.5 cm of handle contact and will have no pin or ring poking into the left palm. Will that be a possibility, that the original owner 1400 years ago not really has a small hand but was actually LEFT HANDED  ? |
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Post by randomnobody on Dec 28, 2019 9:44:42 GMT
Interesting thought about left-handedness. I think I remember a video about the Sutton Hoo sword where a lady studying it was pointing out indications that the owner may have been left-handed.
I wonder how ancient China viewed left-handedness? It feels like most of the world was pretty anti-lefty for the better part of history, and considering things like military formations it's easy to see why being left-handed would be seen as a disadvantage in those settings, but it's also been said that, in individual combat, left-handed persons tend to have an advantage, as they're generally unexpected and as such tricky to defend against, whereas they're much more accustomed to fighting right-handed persons.
Now, just for laughs, what do you think about "reversing" the sui dao to a "right-handed" configuration, if only in the name of experimentation?
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Post by kk on Dec 28, 2019 23:43:08 GMT
For the Double Dragon Sui Dao, the original with Gild gold and silver fittings, it is very likely the original owner is in such a high social status (that can have a Dragon motif in the ring) that they can do this personal left hand customization and basically get away with whatever they want.
Having a right hand configuration is an interesting thought, some people like the original proportion while others like the extended edition because it afford the use of both hands for cutting exercise.
The original Sui Dao most likely is meant to be used on a horse back so it is primarily a single handed weapon with this sturdy blade against heavy armored rivals.
The Sui Dao was on display in New York for the last 90 years and not until LK Chen try to bring it back to life, did these interesting "details" turn up.
Transform something from a few photo to a 3 dimensional piece that one can handle is akin solving a 3D puzzle, how the 18 bronze fitting got put together was so challenging and interesting and is a journey by itself.
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Nov 1, 2024 0:13:58 GMT
Nov 1, 2024 0:13:58 GMT
