The Golden Age of China’s Tang Dynasty had a great influence on the surrounding areas in terms of trade, economy, politics, culture, etc. But the most important impact was sword-making and weaponry due to China’s successful conquest of Central Asia.
The result was the katana, the sword of the Japanese samurai, whose form and style eventually influenced Chinese swordsmiths with its design and construction. In this article, heartswords.com will discuss some Chinese swords similar to the katana and explain how they relate to each other and their characteristics.
Japanese Samurai Sword
The Japanese Katana is a single-edged curved sword, famously owned and used by legendary samurai. It is a weapon that is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, primarily through the Bushido code that represents certain behaviors, attitudes, and ways of life.
The Chinese sword-making tradition influenced the katana, which was the ancestor of the Japanese tachi and ōdachi. This influence reached its peak during the Tang Dynasty. Nevertheless, when that era ended and China began to decline, Japan severed all ties with the country, including culture, politics, and swordsmanship. Starting and following its own way of kendo eventually led to the creation of the katana in the 14th century AD.
There are many different parts of the Katana that make it different from the Chinese sword. But what they all have in common is a curved shape, an overall length of about 90 to 100 cm, a large two-handed handle, and a sharp tip.
Chinese sword similar to the samurai sword
Chinese swords similar to the Japanese Katana are called “single swords.” They are so named because these swords began as a tradition for soldiers who used two weapons as a single weapon, unlike holding a shield in the other hand.
They don’t all look like katanas and they don’t all function the same, but here we’ll mention Chinese swords that were inspired by katanas. Some of them are one-handed swords, while most are two-handed swords.
Tang Hengdao
The Tang Hengdao is a straight single-edged sword that directly influenced the creation of Japanese samurai style weapons. It was a top quality weapon used during the Golden Age of Medieval China during the Tang Dynasty.
It was made simply, with a single sharp blade for slashing and a pointed end for thrusting, and it performed just as well as a double-edged sword, but was easier to master and cheaper to make.
This type of knife also introduced a smaller, simpler blade design, unlike the round or ring-shaped blades of these previous Asian knives. In addition, it has a P-shaped scabbard that is tied to the belt with a rope, which may have influenced the way the samurai sword is carried. The length is also very similar, about 90 cm.
Japanese sword
The Chinese sword known as the “Japanese-style sword” is the “Wodao”. The “Wo” in its name refers to “Wokou”, which literally means “dwarf robber”, a derogatory term for Japanese pirates who attacked villages and towns along the eastern coast of China.
It was created in the late Ming Dynasty, but was mainly used during the Qing Dynasty. This saber is a Chinese version of the Japanese samurai sword. It is similar in almost all proportions, with the handle and blade being almost the same length, and uses a round guard called “镡” in Japanese.
It is a two-handed weapon with a curved, single-edged blade that is primarily used for slashing, but also has a very sharp tip that allows for effective stabbing. The size and length are almost the same as the katana, about 75 to 110 cm long.
Long knife
Although the naga is much longer than the katana, it is somewhat similar. It is a two-handed broadsword with a long handle that can be used straight or with one hand like a spear. Its blade is primarily used for slashing through heavy armor or shields. It has a sharp tip that is great for thrusting.
It was created during the Ming Dynasty, when Japanese pirates were most rampant along the coast of China. In order to defeat these pirates, the famous general Qi Jiguang had to turn his attention to studying their weapons. He absorbed the essence of Japanese and Chinese weapons and made a large long sword.
The sword is single-edged and has a curve like a katana, although it is longer and heavier, giving it a different approach to attack or defense. It has a rounded tanto and a small pommel. Its shape and design are similar to the katana, but the long sword is about 130 to 160 cm long, with a handle length of 30 cm.
Miao Dao
The Miao Dao is a 20th century bladed weapon, but is most often used to refer to a sword from Chinese history. The large Miao Dao is believed to have been influenced by the craftsmanship of the Samurai sword and the Japanese sword.
While this makes it similar to a katana, it is different from other Chinese and Japanese style swords, and even from the Japanese sword. Its blade and handle length are slightly longer than the katana or Japanese sword, giving it a unique feel and training method.
The curve of the round tan is almost identical to that of the katana, but the curve of the Miao Dao is much softer. It is a single-edged weapon, like the katana, which makes it great for slashing, but also great for thrusting. Some Miao Daos are the same length as the katana, but most are slightly longer, around 125 cm.
