---

Dao (saber)



Dao is the most widely used weapon, in part due to the fact that it is generic term given to many different weapons. It is usually referred as the first of the "eighteen kinds of weapons." Most weapons that have blades and are used to slice, cut, hack, and chop are considered to be dao. It can be short, in which case the blade is attached to a handle. It can also be long, in which case the blade is attached to a long shaft. Some weapons, such as broadswords, are still considered dao, even though their English names suggest otherwise.

Dao was first used in China during its bronze age. During and after the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC-771 BC), it was briefly replaced by bronze jian (sword), which is easier to wield in combat. During the seven years of turmoil which resulted in the end of the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-206 BC) and the beginning of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), the importance of cavalry increased dramatically and jian, used primarily to stab, was no longer adequate. During that time, long dao, which has a one sided blade attached to a long shaft, was popularized. Short dao, or the broadsword, was also frequently seen among infantry. Dao remained in use in Chinese armies until the twentieth century. 

Qiang (spear)

  

Qiang is one of the long weapons that evolved from mao. It is commonly referred to as the "king of the hundred weapons". It is basically a long shaft with a steel or bronze tip.

Qiang is one of the longest used weapons in China. It was first used during prehistoric times in the mao form. It was popularized during the Shang Dynasty (17th century BC-11th century BC) and had a bronze tip. The bronze tip was replaced by a steel one towards the end of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 BC-256 BC). During the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), ji (halberd) fell out of use in war and qiang became the most important long weapon. It was coexisted for a time along with firearms and was used until the end of the Qing Dynasty (1616-1911).

Jian (sword)

Jian is often called the "sovereign of blades".

Jian was most commonly used during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 BC-256 BC). According to historical records, many famous jian of great quality were made during this time at the requests of the emperors and dukes. Many famous works were also produced regarding swordsmanship, such as Yue Nu Jian (Yue Nu Sword) from the Spring and Autumn Era of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty and Jian Dao (Way of the Sword) from the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25). Although by the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) jian is no longer used in war, men of position still wear it to show their stature, Daoists still use it to begin incantations, and martial artists still use it in combat. Because martial artists still use it in combat, many styles of swordsmanship gradually evolved. For example, there is Tai Ji Jian (Tai Chi Sword), Wudang Jian (Wudang Sword), and Zui Jian (Drunken Sword).

Tai Ji Jian (Tai Chi Sword)                                        Wudang Jian (Wudang Sword)                                   Zui Jian (Drunken Sword)
             

Ji (halberd)   



Ji is a weapon with a steel or bronze tip mounted on the end of a long shaft, next to which is attached a curved blade. Because of the attachment of the curved blade, the weapon can be used to both stab and slash. The shaft of ji used in chariots is longer than those used by infantry and cavalry. When two curved blades are attached on opposite sides of the tip, the weapon is referred to as double ji.

Ji was first used during the Shang Dynasty (17th century BC-11th century BC), when it was made of bronze. It was popularized during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 BC-256 BC), when it was made of steel instead. By the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), it fell out of use in war, and by the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589) it was replaced in its entirety by qiang (spear). Afterwards, it was used only as a weapon carried by ceremonial guards and as a weapon for martial artists. 

The Qin Dynasty (221 - 206 B.C) was the era that constructed one of the greatest Archeaological sites in the world. The discovery of the emperor's tomb was made in 1974 by peasents digging a well. Inside this tomb was a standing army of over 1000 soldiers made out of clay. Each soldier held actual weaponry used during the Qin dynasty.

With the discovery of the terra cotta army the grandeur and magnificence of the forces of Emperor Qin came to light. Each figurine was armed with a bronze weapon of that period. Over 10,000 bronze weapons have been excavated so far from the site. These include swords, daggers, billhooks, spears, halberds, axes, crossbow triggers, and arrowheads.

The amazing bronze weapons reveal the dynamic metallurgical attainments of Qin. The weapons were cast and modeled to a standard shape and then were filed, chiseled, drilled and polished to have sharp blade, shiny luster and subtlety. A bronze sword unearthed had two symmetrical blades and from the handle to the end, gradually became narrower and thinner. It was technically highly advanced for that period.

Excavated materials also demonstrate that the production of alloys was highly scientific. The hardness and tenacity of the metals were determined by the proportion of the copper to tin in the alloys that were used to make a weapon. Copper was appropriately proportioned with 11 other elements such as nickel, magnesium, cobalt, and chrome. It coincides with an ancient book, which records the precise proportions of copper and tin for six kinds of bronze ware. For instance, an arrowhead contained a poisonous percentage of lead for greater killing power. It shows that during the Qin dynasty, people, through careful practice and detailed research, had established considerable scientific standards for metal production.

Otherwise, weapons were finely coated with a 10-micron layer of rustproof chromic salt oxide - which was not applied in Europe and America until contemporary times. Weapons usually feature a long shaft with the longest of 3.82 meters.

A typical weapon is called a "Pi" this is a double-bladed spear, which has the longest shaft. That and the halberd give rise to most visitors' interest. The head of "Pi" was quite similar to a sword. This gave rise to the misconception that "Pi" was a short sword. The shaft, which was longer than that of a spear, was tightly wound with thread, lacquered and decorated with red lines.

"Shu", a metal-headed wooden or bamboo club with a tapering tail was unearthed in the Pit 3 and it was assumed that honor guards used it to safeguard the emperor. Its head was either round, square or erose for offensive purpose.
  
While with the fade of the war chariots, the "Shu" gradually play a role merely in art of attack and defense. Inscriptions recording the names of craftsmen have been founded on battle-axes and "Pi". 

Sadly a large portion of the weapons had been stolen by grave robbers, but many were still found intact and in their origional condition, thanks to the chromic salt oxide.

Here are some pictures of the recovered weapons

With the weapons and clay figures, an accurate representation of ancient Chinese soldiers can be mabe. Here are some artist recreations of ancient Chinese soldiers.