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15th March 2014, 02:17 PM | #1 |
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Some additional images with kasthana to add to Ibrahiim's - from Herport 1669 (drummers) and Knox 1681 the Knox illustrations were done by an artist in Europe with instructions from the author so the limitations in the similarity of the Kasthana can be attributed to that; as similar mild omissions are seen in other aspects of the illustration as well, but the lion headed hilt and the typical Kasthana scabbard is distinct in the illustration
regards Prasanna |
15th March 2014, 03:46 PM | #2 | |
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15th March 2014, 04:02 PM | #3 | |
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Salaams Prasanna ~ Excellent artwork in support of this entire document. As you point out however this is "directed artwork" but nontheless important since it does show the king with his Kastane and I assume the same weapon that was donated to the shrine. The artwork of similar detail at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ki...08-1687%29.jpg also shows the monumental and ornate "sash" which also appears down the centuries from which the Kastane is hung. It would be interesting to determine at what point or bracket in time the blade of the Kastane changed from straight to curved...and in a previous post you alluded to that phenomena... Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. |
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15th March 2014, 05:11 PM | #4 |
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Fernando; I believe that is an omission by the artist who had not seen the kasthana himself. Similar errors abound in his work but there is also much that can be corroborated with known sources to give a level of credibility to the material included.
Ibrahiim the image of King Rajasinge II is also from Knox- and by the same artist as the illustration I included. both the I and II Rajasinhe’s had a habit of donating swords to both Buddhist and Hindu temples as tokens of battle victories. but from what I have seen is quite often these turn out to be Portuguese swords possibly belonging to the vanquished enemy captains. I am not sure if King Rajasinghe II sword has properly been identified in collections yet. Knox remained a captive in Kandy for near 2 decades and had audience with the King on many occasions- so his description could be believed Regards Prasanna |
15th March 2014, 05:16 PM | #5 |
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Ibrahiim; Just to note that except in the case of Kings and then later era mudelliers serving under colonial masters- Kashane was not worn on a sash, but hung from the belt usually with a spring loaded clip or a loop on the scabbard.
Prasanna |
15th March 2014, 05:58 PM | #6 | |
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There is an interesting note in a description of Knox in captivity which states: Quote " Describing the King’s palace, he says: "I will not adventure to declare further the contents of his treasuries, lest I may be guilty of a mistake. " Unquote. That I find a great pity since he did not spend half an afternoon describing the Kastane!! If only? Readers can see a full account at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Knox_%28sailor%29 and many others simply by keying in "Knox in Sri Lanka"..interesting that his adventures inspired Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe .. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 15th March 2014 at 06:33 PM. |
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16th March 2014, 03:50 AM | #7 |
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Including an image carved by a Portuguese artist currently at the Maha Saman Devala (temple) premises in Rathnapura. the stone carving depict the Portuguese captain slaying a local chief. There is some doubt as to who is the fallen warrior, (may be Fernando or someone versed in Portuguese could attempt to decipher the attached text. ) interestingly the fallen warrior carries a lion headed- single edged blade with similarities to Kasthana. the guards and quillons are not clear- either due to not being present, hidden or artists omissions. The image is dated circa 1610-1650
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16th March 2014, 03:53 PM | #8 | |
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Salaams Prasanna..Tantalising also is the shape of the blade...Whose form is so similar to the Sendai Museum blade...!! I place below a Knox addition showing the warrior to the right with an apparent Kastane also. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 16th March 2014 at 04:47 PM. |
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16th March 2014, 04:12 PM | #9 |
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At forst sight, this is more a problem of visibility than one of language. Sadly most words are unreadable in the picture.
But i can advance Prasana that, this may not be a slay scene but a surrender one. I think i discern the letters that compose "surrender" or its derivations (Render, Rendição) and, if you look at the picture with such focusing, you will realize this seems to make some sense. Maybe also the word India can be read ? I promise i will burn my eyelashes to go deeper into this... and also spot some citation to a surrender in the pages i can access. . Last edited by fernando; 16th March 2014 at 07:06 PM. |
19th March 2014, 06:35 AM | #10 | |
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Salaams Prasanna, As you say some say it is Samarakoon rala/Kuruwita Bandara others say it was Rathnayaka mudiyanse... however do you draw anything from the similarity in sword which appears to have many Kastane characteristics and tantalizing in its parallels with the Sendai Museum item? The more I think about the fact of the broad Storta like blade the more I consider this form as a possible shape to the early (15/16thC Kastane.) Such a famous and respected Sri Lankan Warrior could easily have dispensed with the quillons and guard for his personal weapon of choice; The Kastane. For interest I note from another Forum the possibility/hypothesis that the Kastane hilt was crossed onto other blade forms as a matter of preference in the early European days of the Portuguese period. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi. Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 19th March 2014 at 09:26 AM. |
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