고려시대 소형칼[小刀]의 특징과 그 의미

Abstract

The small knives from the Goryeo Dynasty are significant artifacts that demonstrate various aspects of international exchange during that era. In this paper, I have categorized the small knives from the Dynasty into plain and decorated ones, examining their distinct characteristics. While the shape of the Goryeo Dynasty’s plain small knives is confirmed to be directly related to the Liao Dynasty, there are differences between them, too. Unlike the Liao Dynasty, where both the upper class and commoners used plain small knives made of different materials, none of the Goryeo Dynasty’s plain small knives was crafted as a luxury item. Instead, the Goryeo Dynasty produced decorated small knives, known as 'jangsiksodo,' a feature absent in the Liao Dynasty. The decorated small knives from the Goryeo Dynasty are highly distinctive, and it's possible they were initially produced under the influence of other cultures before the full impact of the Liao Dynasty became apparent. Beyond the Liao and Song dynasties, which have been examined, we should also consider the possibility of other groups or origins sharing similar Repousse (Engraving techniques) and distinctive patterns. As the international study of Goryeo Dynasty’s metalworking has broadened to include exchanges with the Liao Dynasty, we should similarly expand our perspective to encompass northern influences in the Goryeo Dynasty’s metalworking.