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Language: Mandarin Chinese

Description

Dāo () in Chinese is used to describe a wide variety of single-edged tools and weapons. A dāo can be a knife, a saber, a backsword, a falchion, a pole-arm, and so on.

Examples

In martial arts and collector's circles, dāo () is usually used to describe the standard Chinese saber. It is, of course, preferable to use more specific terms in that case, like pèidāo or niúwěidāo.

Qing dynasty peidao A pèidāo or "waist-worn saber" which could have any type of blade form.

NiuweidaoA classic niúwěidāo.

A shundaoA shūndāo, which is a small utility knife used primarily to cut meat.

The diagram below shows a number of types of dāo () in use by the Green Standard Army in the 18th century. Although this is just a fraction of the items that are categorized as dāo, it gives an indication of the broad variety of implements categorized as such.

 

Weapons of the Green Standard Army

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Typical Chinese hook sword, with seldom-seen fine silver wire overlay.

Price on request

With the swirling arabesque motifs that are typical for this period.

€5500,-

Mounted on a custom hardwood stand

€1600,-

As worn by Southern Chinese military and militiamen.

€300,-

Probably of Southern origin, with a straight blade and flaring tip.

€2200,-

Probably of Chinese origin, resembling some of the earliest Japanese swords in existence.

Price on request