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The word dao is also used in the names of several polearms that feature a single-edged blade, such as the pudao and guandao. The Chinese spear and dao ( liuyedao and yanmaodao ) were commonly issued to infantry due to the expense of and relatively greater amount of training required for the effective use of the Chinese straight sword, or jian .
The jian (Mandarin Chinese:, Chinese: 劍, English approximation: / dʒ j ɛ n / jyehn, Cantonese:) is a double-edged straight sword used during the last 2,500 years in China. The first Chinese sources that mention the jian date to the 7th century BCE, during the Spring and Autumn period, [1] one of the earliest specimens being the Sword of Goujian.
Another version of the Five Weapons lists the bow and crossbow as one weapon, the jian and dao as one weapon, in addition to halberd, shield, and armour. [26] The jian was a popular personal weapon during the Han era, and a class of swordsmen emerged who made their living through fencing. Sword fencing was also a popular pastime for aristocrats.
A single edged sword is referred to as a dao. The jian and dao are among the four main weapons taught in the Chinese system, the others being the staff and spear. The order in which these weapons is taught may vary between schools and styles, but the jian is generally taught last among the four.
The difference between the two is that zhanmajian is double-edged whereas the zhanmadao is single-edged, which persists with the meaning of jian and dao. Another suggestion is that the zhanmajian was an execution tool used on special occasions rather than a military weapon.
The shape of this blade is relatively straight, and the tip is curved, more like a yanmaodao.) The yanlingdao (Chinese: 雁翎刀; lit. 'goose-quill saber') or yanmaodao (Chinese: 雁毛刀; lit. 'goose-fur saber') is a type of dao used as a standard military weapon during the Ming dynasty and middle Qing dynasty (1368–1800).
The Complete Taiji Dao: The Art of the Chinese Saber, Blue Snake Books, ISBN 978-1-58394-227-7 Zhang Yun. Art Of Chinese Swordsmanship: Manual Of Taiji Jian , Weatherhill, ISBN 978-0-8348-0412-8
Miaodao in its scabbard Miaodao blade The miaodao (苗刀) is a Chinese two-handed dao or saber , with a narrow blade, long hilt , and an overall length of 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) or longer. The name means "sprout saber", presumably referring to a likeness between the weapon and a newly sprouted plant.