The zhanmadao (Chinese: 斬馬刀; pinyin: zhǎnmǎdāo; Jyutping: zaam2 maa5 dou1; lit. 'horse chopping saber') was a single-bladed anti-cavalry Chinese sword. It originated during the Han dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD) and was especially common in Song China (960–1279).
Zhanmadao (斬馬刀)
A zhanmadao "horse butchering dao" from a Qing dynasty illustration, 1766
The zhanmadao is a single-edged sabre with a long broad blade, and a long handle suitable for two-handed use. It was used as an anti-cavalry weapon, dating from Emperor Cheng of Han, made to slice through a horse's legs.[1] This is mentioned in the Wujing Zongyao, a Song Military Manual from 1072.[2] It featured prominently against the Jin armies in campaigns between 1129 and 1141.[3]
The earliest variant of the zhanmadao is called zhanmajian (pinyin: Zhǎn mǎ jiàn), literally "horse beheading jian". Zhanmajian existed during the Han dynasty, so called because it was supposedly able to cut off a horse's head.[4] 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.[5]
Surviving examples include a sword that might resemble a nagamaki in construction; it had a wrapped handle 37 cm (15 in) long making it easy to grip with two hands with a blade that was 114 cm (45 in) long and straight, with a slight curve in the last half.[6]
^Yang, Jwing-Ming (1 March 1999). Ancient Chinese Weapons: A Martial Artist's Guide. YMAA Publication Center Inc. p. 65. ISBN978-1-886969-67-4. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
^"The Mongol Siege of Xiangyang and Fan-ch'eng and the Song military". deremilitari.org. Retrieved 6 November 2010.
^Scott, Richard Bodley; Gaukroger, Nik (22 September 2009). Empires of the Dragon: The Far East at War. Osprey Publishing. p. 107. ISBN978-1-84603-690-3. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
^Zhan Ma Dao (斬馬刀), 7 April 2015, retrieved 15 April 2018
^Jarymowycz, Roman Johann (2008). Cavalry from Hoof to Track. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 31. ISBN978-0-275-98726-8.
^Breverton, Terry (26 April 2012). Breverton's Encyclopedia of Inventions: A Compendium of Technological Leaps, Groundbreaking Discoveries and Scientific Breakthroughs that Changed the World. Quercus Publishing. p. 18. ISBN978-1-78087-340-4. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
zhanmadao, zhanmadao, chinese, 斬馬刀, pinyin, zhǎnmǎdāo, jyutping, zaam2, maa5, dou1, horse, chopping, saber, single, bladed, anti, cavalry, chinese, sword, originated, during, dynasty, especially, common, song, china, 1279, 斬馬刀, zhanmadao, horse, butchering, fr. The zhanmadao Chinese 斬馬刀 pinyin zhǎnmǎdao Jyutping zaam2 maa5 dou1 lit horse chopping saber was a single bladed anti cavalry Chinese sword It originated during the Han dynasty 206 BC 220 AD and was especially common in Song China 960 1279 Zhanmadao 斬馬刀 A zhanmadao horse butchering dao from a Qing dynasty illustration 1766TypeInfantry anti cavalry saberPlace of originHan dynasty ChinaProduction historyVariantsPossible changdao miaodao wodao zanbatōSpecificationsLengthApprox 200 cm 79 in Blade lengthApprox 150 cm 59 in Blade typeSingle edged straight for most of the length curving in the last third Hilt typeTwo handed Contents 1 General characteristics 2 Similar weapons 3 See also 4 References 4 1 BibliographyGeneral characteristics editThe zhanmadao is a single edged sabre with a long broad blade and a long handle suitable for two handed use It was used as an anti cavalry weapon dating from Emperor Cheng of Han made to slice through a horse s legs 1 This is mentioned in the Wujing Zongyao a Song Military Manual from 1072 2 It featured prominently against the Jin armies in campaigns between 1129 and 1141 3 The earliest variant of the zhanmadao is called zhanmajian pinyin Zhǎn mǎ jian literally horse beheading jian Zhanmajian existed during the Han dynasty so called because it was supposedly able to cut off a horse s head 4 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 5 Surviving examples include a sword that might resemble a nagamaki in construction it had a wrapped handle 37 cm 15 in long making it easy to grip with two hands with a blade that was 114 cm 45 in long and straight with a slight curve in the last half 6 Similar weapons editPossible variations of these Chinese swords were the changdao of Tang dynasty and Ming dynasty wodao of Qing dynasty as well as miaodao of the Republican Era 7 See also editChangdao Dao sword Ōdachi Messer weapon ZweihanderReferences edit Yang Jwing Ming 1 March 1999 Ancient Chinese Weapons A Martial Artist s Guide YMAA Publication Center Inc p 65 ISBN 978 1 886969 67 4 Retrieved 27 January 2013 The Mongol Siege of Xiangyang and Fan ch eng and the Song military deremilitari org Retrieved 6 November 2010 Scott Richard Bodley Gaukroger Nik 22 September 2009 Empires of the Dragon The Far East at War Osprey Publishing p 107 ISBN 978 1 84603 690 3 Retrieved 27 January 2013 Lorge 2011 p 103 Zhan Ma Dao 斬馬刀 7 April 2015 retrieved 15 April 2018 Jarymowycz Roman Johann 2008 Cavalry from Hoof to Track Greenwood Publishing Group p 31 ISBN 978 0 275 98726 8 Breverton Terry 26 April 2012 Breverton s Encyclopedia of Inventions A Compendium of Technological Leaps Groundbreaking Discoveries and Scientific Breakthroughs that Changed the World Quercus Publishing p 18 ISBN 978 1 78087 340 4 Retrieved 27 January 2013 Bibliography edit Lorge Peter A 2011 Chinese Martial Arts From Antiquity to the Twenty First Century Cambridge Cambridge University Press ISBN 978 0 521 87881 4 nbsp This article relating to swords is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte nbsp nbsp This article related to the history of China is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Zhanmadao amp oldid 1213000893, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
