| The Chinese Dao Sword is a specific category of | | | | Japan also started using these weapons during the |
| Sword relatively long, curved Single Edge Weapon | | | | Tang Dynasty. |
| used for chopping and slashing opponents in battle. | | | | The Shoudao was one type of Infantry Dao |
| The English call this a Broadsword because some | | | | which was a weapon used for chopping things and |
| variations of this weapon come with very long | | | | that had a Clip Point and was used in the days of |
| blades. There are 4 major weapons in China. One | | | | the Song Dynasty. You will find some pictures of |
| is the Dao. The 2nd major Chinese Weapon is | | | | these weapons as straight, and some other |
| called the Gun, but a gun in Chinese isn't what you | | | | illustrations that define them as curved blades. |
| may know as the term gun, it is a lengthy | | | | The Chinese were invaded by the Mongols during |
| Chinese Staff Weapon they use when practicing | | | | the 13th century. China was influenced then by |
| the Chinese Martial Arts. The other two are the | | | | the Yuan Dynasty as well as other military |
| Qiang, which is a Chinese Spear and the Jian which | | | | factions back then. |
| is another term that means sword. | | | | Back then the Sabre was used by the Mongol |
| The term Dao doesn't just single out a specific | | | | Calvary. The Sabre was a one handed sword with |
| type of sword. The term broadly represents any | | | | a curved blade. In addition to the main 4 types of |
| broad bladed tools used for cutting or slicing. | | | | Dao discussed earlier, the "Short Dao" also had it's |
| However, on a daily basis it is generally referred | | | | place on the battle fields which was a compact |
| to as a knife. If just one weapon is used it is | | | | weapon. The Chinese used the Spear and Dao in |
| known as the Dan Dao. The days of the Shang | | | | its military ranks, since they were cheaper to |
| Dynasty during the Chinese Bronze Age are the | | | | produce and the training required to use them |
| earliest dates this weapon was known. Korea and | | | | was a much smaller learning curve. |