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| Kastane sword | |
|---|---|
_MET_DP-16375-001.jpg) An 18th-century Kasthane sword and scabbard | |
| Type | Ceremonial weapon |
| Place of origin | Kingdom of Kandy |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Kingdom of Kandy Sri Lanka Army |
| Specifications | |
| Blade type | Curved |
Akastane orkasthane (Sinhala:කස්තානය) is a short traditional ceremonial or decorative single-edged Sri Lankansword. The sword is featured in theFlag of Sri Lanka.
Kastanes often have elaborate hilts, especially shaped and described as having a rich mythical style inherited fromBuddhism in blending a variety of icons including, Lions,KirtimukhaSerapendiya, Nagas, crocodile/human monsters and otherdragon andgargoyle like effigies. Some appear seemingly emitted onto the hand guard and cross guard withVajra style pseudo-quillons whose finials are also decorated by minor monsters and a rain-guard decorated by theMakara or Serapendiya peacock tail or fish scales which occasionally flows over and onto the blade at the throat. Thescabbard is occasionally seen with a miniature beasts head at thechape also emitting an icon or cloud pattern. Sometimes a small human face decorates the hand-guard which is a half human/half crocodile monster.
The main aspect of Kastane Hilts shows the central monster accompanied by supporting minor iconic forms and the peculiar guard arrangement incorporating Buddhist style Vajra quillons. TheNational Museum of Colombo displays the oldest surviving makara-guard adorning a pre-kastane sword from the earlyKotte kingdom.[1][1] The cross and hand guards are further embellished with lavish decoration often spilling over onto the blades throat. In approaching a description authors should observe each Kastane separately since no two are identical and the main Hilt theme thus could be either of the variant Icons; Lion, Makara, Serapendiya or hybrid etc. and since artist and artisan may well have applied a broad ranging interpretation of the form.
TheSendai City Museum displays the oldest surviving kastane 'Lion' hilt which belonged todaimyōHasekura Tsunenaga dating from circa 1600 AD which had been purchased throughPhilippines, albeit on a hybrid blade.[2] A depiction of the same blade with a different hilt in the hand of a Sinhala chief thought to beKuruvita Rala or Rathnayake Mudiyanse, is displayed on a Portuguese stone slab near the Maha Saman devalaya, Ratnapura.[3][4]
The oldest depiction of a kastane with a 'Makara' hilt dating from the same period is displayed at theRoyal Armouries Museum on a painting of ColonelAlexander Popham, Commander of aDragoon regiment in the English Civil War.[5][6]
In 1807 it is recorded that the sword was an indicator of official rank so that the more senior persons in what could be described as anative headmen would wear a more lavishly adorned weapon and that this was also the intent though perhaps to a lesser degree in the Portuguese and Dutch periods. It is likely that this is a homegrown weapon though perhaps inspired by European swords brought by the Portuguese period in Ceylon or in fact imported by Muslim sea traders. The basic form being lavishly adorned so much so that it is almost impossible to designate a base pattern, though, North Italian or Venetian seems plausible. A 16th-century South Indian dagger hilt depicts what may be the basic hilt form. The blade comes in a variety of sizes and it can be either straight or slightly curved. They are usually single-edged though sharpened on both sides from the point back about 20 cm (8 in) and from the Dutch period are most frequently made in Europe(Solingen).The break in local blade production being the result of colonial presence and cheaper, imported foreign steel. None of the blades bear either Portuguese marks or English East India Company trademarks (EIC), however, there are many examples of Dutch influence with blades marked VOC usually with the Amsterdam initial 'A'. The single part of the sword that shares the similar characteristics is the hilt. It has two or four quillons. In the 4-quillon version the smaller two quillons are swept downwards toward the tip of the blade. In fact it is arguable if these are Quillons since they are mirror images of the Vajra projections on the Buddhist religious axe and perhaps serve no defensive purpose. The pommel and the quillons are very beautiful as each of them ends with a carved Iconic finial. The hilts are often encrusted with gemstones as in the eyes of Ruby stones and inlaid with silver or made entirely of silver or gold. The scabbards of the Kastane swords are made of wood or Rhino horn and are decorated with brass, silver and/or gold. It is a testament to the skill of the traditional craftsmen operating in Sri Lankas ancient Royal Sword Workshops.
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TheSri Lanka Army replaced theBritish ArmyPattern 1831 sabre for General Officers with the ceremonial pattern kastana sword for itsgeneral officers of the rank ofMajor General and above as well as theAide-de-Camp to the President.[7]
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