The Bronze Dagger Culture of Korea

[Narration]
Let’s take a look at some Korean bronze ware now. This room exhibits relics from the Korean Bronze Age. And bronze swords are the most representative artifacts of them. First, I’d like to draw your attention to the violin-shaped sword on your left. This sword was made in what is now China, in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula, during the Early Bronze Age.

[Visitor]
Um, I am confused. Do you mean it is from China?

[Narration]
Not exactly. During the Bronze Age, Korea was so powerful that it occupied some parts of mainland China where this sword was made.

[Visitor]
But geographically, didn’t Chinese techniques and styles influence Korean Bronze Ware, just like they influenced the earthenware of the Neolithic Age?

[Narration]
No, they didn’t. Chinese Bronze swords were constructed as a single piece, whereas the blade and the hilt of Korean Bronze swords were constructed separately. You can see this feature on the bottom of the sword.

[Visitor]
Ah, I see. This sword looks unique but I doubt it’s very useful, is it?

[Narration]
Ah, that is because the sword was not designed to serve a practical purpose. In the Bronze Age, powerful men carried these swords at their sides as a symbol of power. That’s why these swords were so impressively crafted. By comparison, Korean bronze swords made in the Late Bronze Age were more practical. You can see some examples of these on the right. They have sharper and straighter blades.