Changdao: The Long Saber of Ming China

The Changdao (長刀), or “long saber”, was a Chinese two-handed sword prominent during the Ming dynasty. Designed for both anti-cavalry and anti-infantry roles, it fused native and foreign influences into a formidable battlefield weapon. It was especially favoured by Ming generals such as Qi Jiguang for use against Japanese wokou pirates and Mongol horsemen.

Specifications

History and Evolution

• Early Use: Inspired by earlier Han dynasty long sabres, the changdao emerged in the 14th century but gained tactical significance during the mid-Ming period.
• Military Codification: Qi Jiguang’s 16th-century Ji Xiao Xin Shu included detailed training for the changdao. It became standard issue for specific infantry units.
• Influences: Japanese nodachi and Mongol sabres both contributed to its design and martial usage. It was tailored for reach and cutting power against both armoured and lightly armoured foes.
• Decline: By the late Ming and Qing periods, firearms and other melee weapons like the miaodao and spears began to dominate, reducing the changdao’s role.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

• Exceptional reach allowed engagement at distance.
• High cutting power against unarmoured and lightly armoured targets.
• Effective for counter-cavalry strikes when used in formation.
• Versatile for both sweeping and downward strikes.

Disadvantages

• Required both hands, limiting use with shields.
• Less effective in close quarters or narrow formations.
• Demanding to wield effectively without extensive training.
• Bulky to carry compared to shorter sabres or jian.

Comparison with Similar Weapons

Legacy

• The changdao became a symbol of elite infantry professionalism in the Ming military.
• It influenced the design of later Chinese sabres and may have inspired the miaodao of the Republican period.
• In Chinese martial arts, modern forms often reference or replicate changdao movements.
• Its presence in treatises like Ji Xiao Xin Shu ensures its legacy within traditional Chinese military thought.

Where to See One

• National Museum of China (Beijing): Several Ming-era long sabres are on display.
• Nanjing Museum: Features arms from the Ming military structure.
• Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York): Occasionally displays Chinese two-handed sabres.
• Kyoto National Museum (Japan): Comparative displays of Ming and Japanese weapons.

Collector’s Guide

Availability

• Authentic changdao swords from the Ming period are extremely rare.
• Most surviving examples are in museum collections or private holdings.
• Reproductions (some historically accurate) are available through specialised smiths.

Market Trends

• Prices at auction vary depending on provenance and completeness.
• Blades authenticated as Ming or early Qing can reach significant values.

Auction Prices (Past Sales)

Tips for Collectors

• Verify provenance through carbon dating and metallurgical testing.
• Be cautious of Japanese nodachi sold as changdao; similarities can cause confusion.
• Seek swords with inscriptions or documentation linking to Ming military figures or armouries.