Miao Dao/Dan Dao

The term Miao Dao (苗刀), or Sprout Saber in English, has become a popular term synonymous with all long Chinese two-handed sabers. Long sabers of this type were popular at the end of the Ming dynasty, made famous by General Qi Jiguang. The raise in the use of these two-handed weapons was a response to both internal disorder and external threats from the Mongols and Manchus. This saber type saw a revival again during the Chinese Republic when Miao Dao forms were practiced and codified at the Central Guoshu Academy in Nanjing. This particularly long version on offer was known as a Dandao (單刀). The Dandao was inspired by the Japanese nodachi (野太刀) and was recorded in the first Chinese martial manual to be written in a straight forward fashion with accompanying illustrations. A translation of that Manual, the Dandaofa Xuan (單刀法選), is now available as an eBook.

Forged 5160 High Carbon Steel, 18″ Leather Wrapped Handle, Steel Fittings.
Blade Length: 34 3/4″ long (88 cm.)
Sword Length: 57″ (145 cm.)
Overall Length: 36″ (92 cm.)
Sword Weight: 3lb 8 oz. (1.6 kg.)
Point of Balance: 3 1/2″ (9 cm.)