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Dadao (sword)

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Antique dadao showing ring pommel, and alternating quillons

The dadao (Chinese: 大刀; pinyin: dàdāo; lit. 'large knife/sabre') was a type of Chinese saber (dao) of the late Qing dynasty which remained in use as a civilian and military sword through the end of World War 2. The term refers to a whole family of swords, which can vary in blade, guard, and grip configurations. Common elements include a grip long enough to accommodate 2 hands, but with a relatively short and wide blade. Ring pommels are very common, but not exclusively used at the end of the grip. Blade profiles often flare towards the foible and may have a clipped tip.

Origin of name

The term dadao has been in use since at least the Ming dynasty, where it was originally used to refer to large polearm mounted sabres. Although similar short and wide bladed dao are seen in Ming era artwork, the form of sword known today as dadao dating to the late Qing and the early 19th century. The term Kan Dao (砍刀, lit. Chopping knife) was also used to refer to these heavy bladed dao.

Use

The dadao is a hand-and-a-half sword, in that it can accommodate two handed use, but is still nimble enough for single handed use. Its clipped tip allows for stabbing actions while the broad thin blade allow it to excel at powerful sweeping cuts.

During the early 20th century the dadao was popular both with martial arts schools, militias, and the military. In the opening engagements with the Japanese during World War 2, soldiers armed with dadao famously defended Beijing in the Marco Polo bridge incident. Although writers during the 1930s do lay out specifications for a sword with a 23 inch blade, 3 inched clip back, and a weight of 3.5 lbs, decentralized production resulted in incredibly varied designs; even military examples show tremendous variety in styles of sword compared to other military pattern blades.

Chinese soldiers from a "Big Sword Unit" during the Japanese attack of Rehe Province, China, 1933

See also

References

  1. "A Social and Visual History of the Dadao: The Chinese "Military Big-Saber"". Kung Fu Tea. 2020-12-03. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  2. "Dàdāo (大刀) | Mandarin Mansion". www.mandarinmansion.com. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  3. 春秋戰國 (2015-04-05). "Po Dao (朴刀) | Great Ming Military". Po Dao (朴刀) | Great Ming Military. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  4. 金恩忠 (1933). 實用大刀術.
  5. Brennan, Paul (2016-06-17). "YIN YUZHANG'S SABER MANUAL". Brennan Translation. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
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