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Eastern
Hwando
환도 · 環刀
Joseon · 15th–19th century · Ships from South Korea
The standard sword of Joseon soldiers, hung from the belt by a ring.
Its name comes from the ring on the scabbard that hangs it from the belt. Short and light, it is easy to draw on horseback. The grip is tightly wrapped in brown cotton cord and matched with silver-toned iron fittings.
Specifications
- Blade length
- 68 cm
- Overall length
- 87 cm
- Weight
- 1.05 kg
- Materials
- High-carbon steel, iron fittings, cotton cord
- Edge
- Sharp (live blade)
Permit required · This is a live blade of 15 cm or longer. Owning it in Korea requires a permit from the local police.
Purchase
₩3,200,0006 left in stock
Estimated duties (for one)
Loading the duty rules.
Stories told
- 15th c.
Under King Sejong, the length and form of the hwando were standardised so soldiers carried the same sword.
- 19th c.
It remained the standard sword of soldiers and military officers until late Joseon.