Not just a knife

Even though the jangdo could be used for self-defense or even suicide when a woman’s chastity was at risk, these knives were mostly symbolic, especially in the later Joseon period.“Gyeongsangbuk-do Intangible Cultural Heritage.” A son who was taught loyalty and filial piety would be reminded of those values whenever he looked at the jangdo he received from his father. A daughter getting married would be gifted a jangdo by her mother as a token of fidelity.Baek, “[Exclusive interview] Master Park Jong Gun.”

Even though jangdo are often compared to Japanese swords, they are very different. According to Park Jong Gun, jangdo artisan, Japanese swords are made to hurt people, while jangdo were and still are created to protect one’s own body and mind.Lee, “Important Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 60 Jangdojang Park Jong Gun.” On top of that, since these daggers could be used for a range of things like a modern MacGyver knife, they were more likely to be used as a tool rather than a weapon, if they were used at all.“Namuwiki: Jangdo.”