Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • Types of Chinese Swords

    Uploaded by

    Jarrell Stimpson
    56 views3 pages
    There are five main types of Chinese swords discussed in the document: the Jian, Zhanmadao, Liuyedao, Wodao, and Yanmaodao. The Jian is a double-edged straight sword used in China for 2500 years. The Zhanmadao is a long, single-edged saber used as an anti-cavalry weapon dating to 1072. The Liuyedao, or "willow leaf saber", features a moderate curve and was used by Ming and Qing dynasty cavalry and infantry. The Wodao was influenced by Japanese sword design and resembled a Tachi or Odachi, while the Yanmaodao or "goose-

    Original Description:

    Original Title

    types of chinese swords

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Report this Document
    There are five main types of Chinese swords discussed in the document: the Jian, Zhanmadao, Liuyedao, Wodao, and Yanmaodao. The Jian is a double-edged straight sword used in China for 2500 years. The Zhanmadao is a long, single-edged saber used as an anti-cavalry weapon dating to 1072. The Liuyedao, or "willow leaf saber", features a moderate curve and was used by Ming and Qing dynasty cavalry and infantry. The Wodao was influenced by Japanese sword design and resembled a Tachi or Odachi, while the Yanmaodao or "goose-

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as pdf or txt
    56 views3 pages

    Types of Chinese Swords

    Uploaded by

    Jarrell Stimpson
    There are five main types of Chinese swords discussed in the document: the Jian, Zhanmadao, Liuyedao, Wodao, and Yanmaodao. The Jian is a double-edged straight sword used in China for 2500 years. The Zhanmadao is a long, single-edged saber used as an anti-cavalry weapon dating to 1072. The Liuyedao, or "willow leaf saber", features a moderate curve and was used by Ming and Qing dynasty cavalry and infantry. The Wodao was influenced by Japanese sword design and resembled a Tachi or Odachi, while the Yanmaodao or "goose-

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 3

    Types of Chinese Swords

    There are generally five types of swords in Chinese history, they are Jian, Zhanmadao, Liuyedao,
    Wodao and Yanmaodao.
    The jian is a double-edged straight sword used during the last 2,500 years in China. The first Chinese
    sources that mention the jian date to the 7th century BC during the Spring and Autumn Period;one of
    the earliest specimens being the Sword of Goujian. Historical one-handed versions have blades
    varying from 45 to 80 cm (17.7 to 31.5 inches) in length. The weight of an average sword of 70-
    centimeter (28-inch) blade-length would be in a range of approximately 700 to 900 grams (1.5 to 2
    pounds). There are also larger two-handed versions used for training by many styles of Chinese martial
    arts.

    The zhanmadao is a saber with a single long broad blade, and a long handle suitable for two-handed
    use.

    Dating to 1072, it was used as an anti-cavalry weapon. This is mentioned in the "Wu Jing Zong Yao
    Song Military Manual" from 1072.

    Surviving examples include a sword that might resemble a nagamaki in construction; it had a wrapped
    handle 37 cm long making it easy to grip with two hands. The blade was 114 centimetres long and very
    straight with a slight curve in the last half.
    The liuye dao, or "willow leaf saber", is a type of Dao that was commonly used as a military sidearm
    for both cavalry and infantry during the Ming and Qing dynasties. This weapon features a moderate
    curve along the length of the blade. This reduces thrusting ability (though it is still fairly effective at
    same) while increasing the power of cuts and slashes.

    The wodao (literally "sword/knife of the Wo people") is a Chinese sword from the Ming Dynasty.
    Apparently influenced by Japanese sword design, it bears a strong resemblance to a Tachi or Odachi
    in form: extant examples show a handle approximately 25.5 cm long, with a gently curved blade 80 cm
    long.
    During the period of raiding by Japanese pirates, two factors contributed mostly to the successes of the
    generals of the Ming dynasty, in particular Qi Jiguang in thwarting the invaders. The wodao was quite
    frankly the latter of these factors, as the Japanese ronin, at the time, favouring close combat above all
    else, were faced with a considerable dilemma when faced against the long spears and pikes of the
    Ming cavalry and infantry, where as the wodao, being quite literally a modified version of the katana
    became standard issue for officers during the struggle. It would be later quickly replaced by the
    piandao during the late Ming dynasty.
    It is a common misconception that the wodao was manufactured as a result of the inferiority of Chinese
    weaponry at the time when placed against that of the Japanese ronin. In reality, the battles were quite
    one-sided in the Ming Dynasty's favor.
    The yanmao dao, or "goose-quill saber", is a type of dao made in large numbers as a standard military
    weapon from the late Ming through the end of the Qing dynasty. It is similar to the earlier zhibei dao, is
    largely straight, with a curve appearing at the center of percussion near the blade's tip. This allows for
    thrusting attacks and overall handling similar to that of the jian, while still preserving much of the dao's
    strengths in cutting and slashing.

    You might also like