Swords and sabres of the Ming Dynasty

Drawings of various types of Ming Dynasty swords and sabres. From left to right: Two Jian, a Yao Dao, a Chang Dao, and a Duan Dao. From 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

Classification of Chinese swords often posed a great challenge to Westerners (and just as confusing to the Chinese themselves) because Chinese swords do not fit readily into existing typologies. The Chinese also lacked an authoritative, systematic typology of sword types such as that of the Oakeshott typology.

This blog post is intended to be an introductory article to the swords and sabres of the Ming Dynasty. Please note that the terms used here are what we call "collector's jargon" (i.e. classification used by sword collectors and antique sellers). They are not historical terms*, and are not meant to be academically authoritative (although most Chinese academics do follow the classification).

Historical terms for one-handed Chinese sabre are Yao Dao (腰刀), Duan Dao (短刀, short sabre), Gun Dao (滾刀, lit. 'Rolling sabre', exact meaning unknown), Shou Dao (手刀, lit 'Hand sabre') and Ma Dao (馬刀, cavalry sabre). All of these terms are generic.

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Chang Dao (長刀)

MINOR UPDATE DECEMBER 12, 2023

『此自倭犯中國始有之。』
"This (weapon) only became known (to the Chinese) since the incursion of Japanese into China."
— General Qi Ji Guang

Cheng Zong You's Dan Dao (left) and Qi Ji Guang's Chang Dao (right). While superficially similar, Qi Ji Guang's Chang Dao has a one chi long bronze collar/secondary grip, which is not found on Chen Zong You's Dan Dao. Images taken from 'Dan Dao Fa Xuan (《單刀法選》)' and 'Muyedobotongji (《무예도보통지》 or 《武藝圖譜通志》)'.

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Teng Pai (藤牌), Yao Dao (腰刀) and Biao Qiang (鏢鎗)

The three principal equipments of a Chinese Teng Pai Shou (藤牌手, rattan shieldman) are his Teng Pai (藤牌) shield, his Yao Dao (腰刀) sword, and his Biao Qiang (鏢鎗) javelin.

Teng Pai (藤牌, lit. 'Rattan shield')

Drawing of a Teng Pai, from 'Ji Xiao Xin Shu (《紀效新書》)'.

Originated from Fujian province, the Teng Pai was one of the more common shield types used by the Ming army. Rattan/wisteria shield outperforms wooden shield in almost every conceivable way—it was cheaper, lighter, more flexible, and sturdier than wooden shield, plus it did not splinter nor split along the grain (as rattan has no wood grain). However, rattan cannot grow in North China (which is colder and drier), so Ming troops from that region had to settle for Tuan Pai (團牌, lit. 'Round shield'), a variant made from woven wicker and covered with leather or rawhide.

The average size of a Ming period rattan shield was two chi five cun  to three chi in diameter. Chinese rattan shield usually did not feature metal shield boss (although exceptions existed), unlike similar shields in Xizang and Southeast Asia region.

Yao Dao (腰刀, lit. 'Waist sabre')

A Yao Dao and scabbard, from 'Ji Xiao Xin Shu (《紀效新書》)'.

Yao Dao was a generic name for one-handed Chinese sabre normally used in conjunction with a rattan shield. 

Biao Qiang (鏢鎗, lit. 'Javelin')

Drawing of a Biao Qiang, from 'Ji Xiao Xin Shu (《紀效新書》)'.

Also known as Fei Biao (飛鏢, lit. 'Flying dart'), Biao Qiang was a type of light javelin. Its primary purpose was to distract the enemy, although it could still be lethal if it hit an unprotected vital spot.

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