Spirit knives of Nepal

Howard Wallace

Howard Wallace

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In the cramped alleyways of Kathmandu there are many shops selling tourist items. The wares are very similar from shop to shop. But in some hidden byways I found a couple little shops containing household items bought in the hill villages of the Himalayas. At one I bartered for this implement.

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Imagine a heavy brass kubotan. But this one is not for physical battles. Some ritual knives are commonly used and written about, and have names I am familiar with. I do not know what to call this one. The gentleman I got it from told me that his uncle was a shaman back in the hills. I wonder if it is from the Bon tradition.


The next spirit knife I have to show is of a style more documented, the phurba. It is characterized by the unique blade shape.

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Is this the next step for a knife aficionado? To go beyond the knives that cut in the material world?
 
Some pretty interesting items there. Knives that cut beyond the material world... sounds mindblowing.
 
Indeed. To mind immediately comes the Keris. Stories about examples having mystical powers abound.
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Would like to share a mystical legend of Taming Sari.

Taming Sari was the ultimate kris for Hang Tuah, the legendary Admiral during the prosperous times of Malacca port. The kris was made in Java, Indonesia and said to bless the owner with great healing power and strength.

Hang Tuah remained invincible in all his battle, (including a bitter one that he had to finish his best friend for betraying the Sultan) until during a voyage to Singapore, Sultan Malacca's crown slipped off and drowned into the sea. He dived in search of it and instead confronted with a white crocodile. It snatched his Taming Sari and swallowed it. Hang Tuah lost his kris and gained the Sultan Crown.

Despite the new kris from Sultan, Hang Tuah became feeble after the loss of TS.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taming_Sari

One of the many stories stuck in my mind during the history class.:)
 
Great post, thank you for sharing
 
If you watch the 1994 film version of The Shadow, one of these knives figures strongly in the plot.
 
The top one, 'spirit knife' looks to be an old Dorjee, also known as Vajra in Sanskrit. The second one is a Phurba. I like the old Dorjee, got some character to it!
 
JayGoliath said:
B.C

A link ...
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Many thanks Jay. :) :thumbup:

Not to go off topic but I have been looking at purchasing a keris/kris for over 3 years. But, as I believe, they are of unique spiritual as well cultural importance to those people from which they originated, I have been aware of the issue of appropriating an item that should not leave its country of origin.

So until I find a newly made 'non culturally significant' keris that I like, I content myself with the history and 'myth' of this magical blade. :D
 
Ok which Kamis have the talent to make us some of those?!

And just how hard is it to forge a kris?
What are the benefits to a wavy blade like that in combat? Or is there another use for kris?
 
And just how hard is it to forge a kris?
What are the benefits to a wavy blade like that in combat? Or is there another use for kris?
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Calling Mohd....your expertise is much needed.

As i know the waviness will inflict a larger wound when withdrawn from the wound much like a bearing/fishhook knife.

At times if twisted upon stabbing the intestines would be pulled out ,resulting in a carnage of quick death.:eek:
 
Ouch!
Does sound like its harder to get the blade out of the enemy to go on to the next enemy though....
 
My Aikido sensei used to tell me that if I threw someone I should throw them onto the path of the universe. Perhaps some spirit knives are like that, leaving entities with whom they interact better off.

Manjushri's sword cuts through ignorance and delusion.
 
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