Hwando: The Korean Sword (2)

[samsuh]

Here is the second installment of my translation of the book "Arms and Armours of the Choson Dynasty" by Min Seung-ki (2006). Please note that this translation is not copy-righted and is for Pulic Domain use but cite the original source and give any credit when using it for publication.

Note: Unless specified, McCune Reischauer romanization system was used. Also any of my comments or clarifications are enclosed in brackets.

From pages 108-110

The Origins of Hwando

During the Choson Dynasty, long swords with single-edged blades were generally referred to as hwando [“curved saber”; the term “saber” will be used interchangeably with “hwando”]. In the Veritable Records of the Choson Dynasty [referred as Sillok hereafter], curved sabers were also called ungom, p’aedo, and p’aegom. However, ungom, curved sabers used by personal bodyguards of Choson kings, were essentially a type of hwando with some differences in decorative motifs and name. P’aedo and p’aegom are mentioned only a couple of times in the Sillok. In the Muye Dobo T’ongji [abbreviated MYDBTJ hereafter], designations such as yedo, ssangsoodo, ssanggom, and waegom appear but they refer to sword techniques [kombop], and in actuality hwando was used in executing the sword techniques. In addition, Japanese [waegom] and Jurchen swords and even a sword found on board a foreign ship [?; 異樣船] during King Ch’oljong’s reign were all referred to as hwando; therefore, all swords featuring curved, single-edged blade can be categorized as hwando.

The first time that the term hwando appears in Korean records date back to the time of King Ch’ungyol of the Koryo Dynasty when the kingdom was in active contact with the Yuan Dynasty [the Mongol Dynasty which ruled China after the fall of the Sung Dynasty]. In Koryosa [The History of Koryo compiled by the Choson court], King Ch’ungyol sent Yi Chang-mu to Ch’ungju along with the Yuan emissary Yuhongholno [this is a Mongol name rendered in Sino-Korean] to manufacture 1,000 hwando in April of the 3rd year of the king’s reign (1277 AD). After this first record, there are several more references of Koryo sending hwando to the Yuan court in Koryosa.

In Chinese records, the term hwando first appears during the Yuan Dynasty period, and the History of Yuan recorded that someone presented a hwando to the Yuan Emperor Sejo [Chinese: Shizu 世祖; a.k.a Kublai Khan]. There are no details on the hwando to be found in the History of Yuan; however, in sections of the History of Yuan referring to regulations relating to emperor’s ceremonial attire, there is a description of ceremonial sword hwaengdo (橫刀) being curved. Hwaengdo, a sword design that originated in the Tang Dynasty period, was originally a straight bladed sword, but it suddenly developed curvature with the Mongol rule of China. Accordingly, one can surmise that hwaengdo of the Yuan Dynasty was Mongolian hwando, and this type of sword originated from sabers used by nomadic tribes of the central Asian plains. And it appears that hwando came to Koryo through its extensive contacts with the Yuan.

As for the meaning of “hwan” in hwando [環 means “ring” or “hook”], there are two hypothesis: one suggests that the term denotes round sword guard and the other for rings for suspending sword from waist. Given that Mongol sabers characteristically had ring hooks and suspenders, the latter hypothesis appears correct.

[Daniel Sullivan]

Samsuh,

I would love to see more on this subject, but it appears that spammers are all we get these days. Getting lonely here, lol.

Daniel