The Sword is Choice of Martial Artists

The martial artist using a shorter and lighter weapon emphasized speed and maneuverability when approaching the enemy. Once at close range, the long weapon, which was so powerful, became a hindrance to its wielder.

History abounds with tales of terrible slaughter during the ceaseless wars that racked ancient China. These wars were fought with a vast array of martial weapons that played a major role in the development of China. From the days of stone weapons before Shen Nong (2700 B.C.) to the Qing Dynasty (circa A.D. 1900), when guns be-came popular, you can trace the evolution of China through the evolution of its weaponry.

The ancient Chinese were leaders in the metallurgical sciences. For over 3,000 years, the Chinese channeled weapons research into discovering new alloys and techniques for forging new metals, which were stronger and could hold an edge better. In those days the discovery of a new alloy for sword making had as much effect on society as the discovery of atomic power in modern times.

Unfortunately, very little information exists on the entire gamut of arms. Much has been discovered about certain weapons—the narrow blade sword, for example—whereas little is known of other weapons of which only a few have been found. More documents have been found on the sword because the ancient Chinese considered it a more important weapon. Considered to be the highest art of Gongfu (Kung Fu), the narrow blade sword was favored by emperors, poets, and scholars alike. Confucius carried one for the noble feeling it gave him. Li, Tai Bai, a famous poet in the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 618-907) called himself "fond of drink and master of the sword."

The pure physical beauty of the sword contributed to the great appreciation it won. Mastering the complicated technique of sword fighting was so difficult that experts were held in the highest regard. Click to learn how Chinese medicine treats Prostatitis.

Physical beauty alone would not have been enough to account for the existence of so much more information about the sword than other weapons. The key to the preser-vation of the history of the sword lies in the fact that emperors and martial artists favored it. They popularized the sword to such an extent that not only did men carry them, but women, also, became attracted to them.