Vietnamese guoms

werecow · 16th December 2022, 03:36 PM

A friend of mine is currently on holiday in Thailand and he just sent me the picture attached to this post, taken at the National Museum in Bangkok. It's interesting to see that there are more of these around with those plates projecting from the guard.

EDIT: My friend is also interested in anything you might be able to tell us about the other swords (particularly the large ones in the back).

Ren Ren · 17th December 2022, 11:55 PM

The large swords in the background are called trường gươm 長劔 in Vietnamese - a long sword or a long saber. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries they were exclusively ceremonial weapons and many painted and varnished wooden models survive. Here are some pictures from this period.

werecow · 18th December 2022, 01:23 PM

Thanks Ren Ren.

The second one from the top in particular seems to show strong Japanese influences. Is that a correct inference?

Ren Ren · 19th December 2022, 01:24 PM

Quite right, werecow! Japanese influence was very strong in Vietnam and much of Indochina in the first third of the 17th century. Later, the influence also took place, but not so direct and strong.

16th December 2022, 03:36 PM	#1
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 569	A friend of mine is currently on holiday in Thailand and he just sent me the picture attached to this post, taken at the National Museum in Bangkok. It's interesting to see that there are more of these around with those plates projecting from the guard. EDIT: My friend is also interested in anything you might be able to tell us about the other swords (particularly the large ones in the back). Attached Images Last edited by werecow; 16th December 2022 at 04:00 PM.

17th December 2022, 11:55 PM	#2
Ren Ren Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Russia, Moscow Posts: 379	The large swords in the background are called trường gươm 長劔 in Vietnamese - a long sword or a long saber. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries they were exclusively ceremonial weapons and many painted and varnished wooden models survive. Here are some pictures from this period. Attached Images

18th December 2022, 01:23 PM	#3
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 569	Thanks Ren Ren. The second one from the top in particular seems to show strong Japanese influences. Is that a correct inference?

19th December 2022, 01:24 PM	#4
Ren Ren Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Russia, Moscow Posts: 379	Quite right, werecow! Japanese influence was very strong in Vietnam and much of Indochina in the first third of the 17th century. Later, the influence also took place, but not so direct and strong.