Guidelines for Submission

If you wish to contribute to the Index, please send an e-mail with the information noted below, and photos of the sword, to thedhapage#cox.net (replace the # with a @; I had to take out the automatic e-mail address due to spamming problems). Your contribution will be assigned an internal accession number for the index (with the prefix "C" for "contributed"), and your name noted as the source unless you specify otherwise.

I suggest copying the information template below and pasting it into your e-mail, then filling it out with the information about the sword. Please provide at least one clear photo of the full sword, out of and next to its scabbard if it has one. Additional photos of interesting details, or aspects of the sword not readily visible from the main picture or understandable from the description, may also be included. Photos should be:

JPEG format

Under 500Kb file size

72 or 150 pixels/in resolution

No longer than 9 inches wide

I have found that a tightly-framed shot of the full sword, at 72 pixel/in resolution, with a width of 9 inches, gives a reasonably sized picture with a file size of around 250Kb-350Kb. If you prefer to just send me pictures to size, crop, etc. that is fine. I reserve the right to re-size, crop or otherwise alter any submitted photograph in order to make it compatible with the format of the Index, and with the memory and bandwidth limitations of the site.

Information template (measurements can be in either the English or metric system):

Greaves-Winston Type: [Kachin/Metro Kachin/Shan/Metro Shan/Montagnard/Karen]

Overall length:

Blade length:

Tang length:

Handle length:

Handle type: [simple/three-part/five-part/atypical]

Spine width at forte:

Spine width at 1/3:

Spine width at 2/3:

Spine width at tip:

Curvature:

Tip shape: [upswept/concave/squared/round/spear/sheep's foot/etc.]

Spine shape: [flat/ridged/grooved/rounded]

Weight:

Scabbard:

Comments:

From the collection of:

Notes:

For information on Greaves-Winston types, see this thread on the EEWRS forum.

Handle type is a bit subjective, and my classification system is very rough. It should probably state "multi-part" instead of "five-part," since people can differ in how they count "parts" of a handle. For some discussion of this system, read my first post in the "Greaves-Winston type" thread linked above.

Spine widths are take at regular points along the length of the blade to illustrate the amount and rate of distal taper. The first measure is taken at the point of attachment to the handle, the next one-third of way along the blade toward the tip, the next two-thirds of the way, and the last one inch (or 2.5 cm) from the tip. The tip measurement is taken here because is most dha the width of the very tip is essentially that of the edge and so is not very informative.

Blade curvature or tip deflection is measured by the method described by Stone for measuring the curve of Japanese blades: "The curvature (sori) is measured by the greatest distance from the back of the blade to a straight line drawn from the point to the hilt excluding the tang." Stone, Glossary, p. 315 (1934); see also Fig. 399. To accommodate the variety of tips found on dha, the "point" of the blade should be considered the highest point encountered in the straight line from hilt to tip.

Spine shape is a little subjective, and often transitions from one to another along the length of the blade. I hope to develop a consistent set of types, likely based on Japanese blade cross-sections. Discussion of Japanese blade cross-sections (mune) can be found at page 315 of Stone's Glossary (1934), and illustrated in Fig. 400, and on this page of Rich Stein's the Japanese Sword Index.

Under "scabbard" describe materials and manufacture, to the extent not visible in the pictures, and under "comments" any other information you feel is relevant or interesting (origin, date, blade markings, etc.)

Thank you for your contribution!