Uploaded September 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this video I review the LK Chen Chang Dao and talk about the history of this iconic weapon's origins and its martial use in Ming military manuals such as the Dandao Faxuan. What connections does the Chang Dao have with Japan? How do different manuals treat this weapon differently? These are the types of questions I address in this video.
Special thanks to my friend Jeremy Thomas for lending me this sword
You can find his channel here: youtube.com/user/Guitarsamurai1134
This sword can be purchased at LK Chen's site here: lkchensword.com/imperial-guards-chang-dao
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:58 Japanese Influences in design
3:54 The size of the Chang Dao
5:50 Qi Jiguang's Chang Dao design
8:52 Cheng Zongyou's Dan Dao design
10:01 LK Chen's Chang Dao
13:06 Final thoughts on design origins
13:48 Chang Dao manuals
14:21 Qi Jiguang's Xinyou Daofa
15:29 Cheng Zongyou's Dandao Faxuan
18:37 Wushu's Shoubilu
20:17 Final thoughts on Japanese techniques
21:05 Breakdown of the Dandao Faxuan
22:34 Technique Showcase
26:55 Tatami Cutting
29:30 Conclusion
Sources:
Primary Sources:
戚繼光，紀效新書十四卷本，1584.
程宗猷，單刀法選，1614.
吳殳，手臂錄.
Books:
龔劍. 中國刀劍史. 中華書局, 2021.
皇甫江. 刀剑鉴定. 福建美术出版社, 2011.
馬明達. 說劍叢橋. 中華書局, 2007.
Friday, Karl F. Samurai, Warfare and the State in Early Medieval Japan, Routledge, 2004.
Images:
Odachi: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Cdachi
Woyaodao: archive.mandarinmansion.com/images/woyaodao/saber2.jpg
Dandao: mandarinmansion.com/item/ming-dandao
Albion Maximilian: albion-swords.com/The%20Maximilian.html
Qing Rulers: sgss8.com/tpdq/24106106/1.htm
Fancy Ruler: whysw.org/m/view.php?aid=39168
Wokou: https://www.cup.com.hk/2021/06/16/wokou-and-hong-kong/
Wrapped Odachi: neo-basara.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2017/08/post-1f3a.html
Nagamaki: upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Onin_War_Scene_3.jpg/2560px-Onin_War_Scene_3.jpg
Shinogi: touken-world.jp/tips/55304
Nihonto Cross Section: ohmura-study.net/image/00825.jpg
Yokote: sbg-sword-store.sword-buyers-guide.com/wordpress/project-x-japanese
Peened Pommel: mandarinmansion.com/item/early-qing-saber
Ming Dynasty Dadao: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_the_Ming_dynasty
Music:
Intro Music Song: 春江花月夜 Artist: 顶斯华 Album: 中国古筝金曲, Vol. 3 (古筝独奏).
Background Music: Audiokraken, Royalty Free Music, Asian Drums.
youtube.com/watch?v=CVDKb28aKAA&list=LL&index=2
Outro Music: Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.
In this video I review the LK Chen Chang Dao and talk about the history of this iconic weapon's origins and its martial use in Ming military manuals such as the Dandao Faxuan. What connections does the Chang Dao have with Japan? How do different manuals treat this weapon differently? These are the types of questions I address in this video.
Special thanks to my friend Jeremy Thomas for lending me this sword
You can find his channel here: youtube.com/user/Guitarsamurai1134
This sword can be purchased at LK Chen's site here: lkchensword.com/imperial-guards-chang-dao
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:58 Japanese Influences in design
3:54 The size of the Chang Dao
5:50 Qi Jiguang's Chang Dao design
8:52 Cheng Zongyou's Dan Dao design
10:01 LK Chen's Chang Dao
13:06 Final thoughts on design origins
13:48 Chang Dao manuals
14:21 Qi Jiguang's Xinyou Daofa
15:29 Cheng Zongyou's Dandao Faxuan
18:37 Wushu's Shoubilu
20:17 Final thoughts on Japanese techniques
21:05 Breakdown of the Dandao Faxuan
22:34 Technique Showcase
26:55 Tatami Cutting
29:30 Conclusion
Sources:
Primary Sources:
戚繼光，紀效新書十四卷本，1584.
程宗猷，單刀法選，1614.
吳殳，手臂錄.
Books:
龔劍. 中國刀劍史. 中華書局, 2021.
皇甫江. 刀剑鉴定. 福建美术出版社, 2011.
馬明達. 說劍叢橋. 中華書局, 2007.
Friday, Karl F. Samurai, Warfare and the State in Early Medieval Japan, Routledge, 2004.
Images:
Odachi: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Cdachi
Woyaodao: archive.mandarinmansion.com/images/woyaodao/saber2.jpg
Dandao: mandarinmansion.com/item/ming-dandao
Albion Maximilian: albion-swords.com/The%20Maximilian.html
Qing Rulers: sgss8.com/tpdq/24106106/1.htm
Fancy Ruler: whysw.org/m/view.php?aid=39168
Wokou: https://www.cup.com.hk/2021/06/16/wokou-and-hong-kong/
Wrapped Odachi: neo-basara.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2017/08/post-1f3a.html
Nagamaki: upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Onin_War_Scene_3.jpg/2560px-Onin_War_Scene_3.jpg
Shinogi: touken-world.jp/tips/55304
Nihonto Cross Section: ohmura-study.net/image/00825.jpg
Yokote: sbg-sword-store.sword-buyers-guide.com/wordpress/project-x-japanese
Peened Pommel: mandarinmansion.com/item/early-qing-saber
Ming Dynasty Dadao: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_the_Ming_dynasty
Music:
Intro Music Song: 春江花月夜 Artist: 顶斯华 Album: 中国古筝金曲, Vol. 3 (古筝独奏).
Background Music: Audiokraken, Royalty Free Music, Asian Drums.
youtube.com/watch?v=CVDKb28aKAA&list=LL&index=2
Outro Music: Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.
