Chinese Swords

Chinese swords are among the best-known traditional weapons of Asia. Their history stretches back thousands of years and includes straight Jian swords, single-edged Dao sabres, as well as swords used in Tai Chi, Kung Fu and other Chinese martial arts.

A typical Chinese sword is the Jian (Jiàn) – a straight, double-edged sword that was used in various forms as far back as ancient China. Today, the Jian is also known as a Tai Chi sword, as training versions are used in Tai Chi (Taijiquan) forms.

The second major group consists of Chinese Dao sabres (Dāo) with single-edged blades. Throughout Chinese history, numerous variants developed – from military sabres to weapons used in traditional Chinese martial arts.