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dao_(sword)
📅 Updated:2025-08-31
🕒 Created:2025-08-30
🆔 ID:80231
Description
Dao (pronunciation: [táʊ], English approximation: /daʊ/ dow, Chinese: 刀; pinyin: dāo; jyutping: dou1) are single-edged Chinese swords, primarily used for slashing and chopping. They can be straight or curved. The most common form is also known as the Chinese sabre, although those with wider blades are sometimes referred to as Chinese broadswords. In China, the dao is considered one of the four traditional weapons, along with the gun (stick or staff), qiang (spear), and the jian (sword)
Ancient trade and transmission of the dao to other East Asian countries led to the development of the traditional Japanese sword and Hwando, themselves long-time descendants of Tang dynasty dao designs.
