Ko-Wakizashi Japanese Short Sword
A wakizashi is a traditional Japanese short sword with a single edged slightly curved blade. It was designed to be used as a secondary weapon to the katana. Since the wakizashi was less likely to be used in combat it
COMMEMORATING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF VE DAY
On 8 May 1945 the British Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill, delivered a speech on the radio declaring that the Allies had received the unconditional surrender of Germany bringing the fighting in Europe finally to an end.
THE FALL OF FRANCE AND THE ENTRY OF JAPAN INTO THE SECOND WORLD WAR (1939 – 1945)
he fall of France in June 1940 and Japan’s entry into the Second World War (1939 – 1945) in December 1941 were to have a significant bearing on the Union of South Africa and her standing as a role player
ELEPHANT IVORY TUSKS Of the Rhodesian Light Infantry
The DITSONG: National Museum of Military History has two sets of elephant tusks. One set is large and the other medium size.
MODEL OF “U-96” DONATED TO THE DITSONG NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MILITARY HISTORY
The model is a true representation of the original submarine used in the Second World War (1939 – 1945) and was constructed by the donor, Mr Brian Echstein.
CHINESE PAIRED SWORDS
In the Curator’s Choice display of edged weaponry at the Ditsong National Museum of Military History, are Chinese double or paired swords from the early 19th Century.
THE GLADIUS
The gladius is a short sword which narrows near the base of the blade. This shape makes the sword effective at cutting as well as thrusting. The gladius is best known as a primary weapon of the Roman legions.
SOUTH AFRICAN SWORDS
Swords first came into use in the region of modern-day South Africa with the arrival of European settlers. Before then, the spear had been prominent and the battle axe was becoming increasingly popular.
VIBRANT COLOURS AND ABSTRACT PATTERNS FROM AFRICA
Mthombeni is well known for his functional ware and vessel sculptures (vases and teapots of unusual shapes and sizes), but what must be considered as his most creative work is his Ndebele tea set of which only ten were produced.
