Dao (saber)
Dao 刀 (Py dāo, Wade-Giles tao1) is a category of single-edge Chinese swords primarily used for slashing and chopping (sabers), often called broadswords in English because some varieties have wide blades. Dao is actually a generic word used to denote any member of a family of single-edged, broad-bladed cutting or slicing tools, but in common, everyday usage means knife.
They changed shape significantly through the centuries and are named according to standard shapes. As well, different regions of China have their distinctive styles. They are characterised by a whole or partially curved profile and come in a large range of sizes, sometimes attached to the end of a long staff and known as "Long-handled Broadswords" (see halberd). This is commonly called the kwan do or guandou (Cantonese), after its eponymous creator, the historic and literary figure, Guan Yu, of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
Dao were popular with central Asian cavalry, especially that of the Mongols and Manchu. The most recent versions were used by some Chinese militia units against Japanese invaders in the Second World War. Many Chinese martial arts schools still train extensively with the dao, seeing it as a powerful conditioning tool and a versatile weapon.
The dao were commonly issued to infantry due to the amount of skill (and training required) for the straight sword, or jian.
The proper length of the sword should be from the hilt in your hand and the tip of the blade at the brow. Alternatively, the length of the sword should be from the middle of the throat along the length of the outstretched arm.
It should be noted that pictured is the incorrect way of holding the Chinese broadsword, dao, or dou. The sword should be placed in the left hand with the unsharpened side, i.e., the back of the blade being cradled in the arm, not the sharp part which could of course cause serious injury.
The double-edge straight swords of China are classified as Jian.
