Uploaded July 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this video I review the LK Chen Twin Peak Liao Dao. This is a unique weapon from a unique part of history. I not only talk about the history behind the blade, but also attempt to place it into its proper historical context as well as test it out with some tatami test cutting.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:58 History of the Liao Dynasty
4:11 Details of the Twin Peak Liao Dao
5:47 Curvature on Chinese swords
7:49 Details about the scabbard, hilt, and fittings
9:46 How does this sword fit into the Liao dynasty?
15:30 Musings about Twin Peak Dao techniques
17:12 Test Cutting
19:18 Conclusion
You can find the LK Chen Liao Dao at the following link:
lkchensword.com/twin-peaks-liao-dao
Source Material
Books:
Fu Lo-huan. Natpat and Ordo: A Study of the Way of Life and Military Organization of the Kitan Emperors and Their People. London: London University School of Oriental and African Studies, 1950.
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.
Kane, Daniel. The Kitan Language and Script. Handbuch der Orientalistik vol. 19. Boston: Brill, 2009.
刘浦江. 宋辽金史论集. 北京: 中华书局, 2010.
罗新. 黑毡上的北魏皇帝. 北京: 海豚出版杜, 2014.
楊若薇, 契丹王朝政治軍事制度研究. 北京: 中国社会学出版社, 1991.
Wittfogel, Karl A. and Feng Chia-Sheng. History of Chinese Society: Liao (907-1125). Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society, 1949.
Wu Yingzhe and Juha Janhunen. New Materials on the Kitan Small Script: A Critical Edition of Xiao Dilu and Yelü Xiangwen. Languages of Asia, vol. 9. Kent: Brill, 2010.
Articles:
Călin Cosma, "Seventh–Eighth-century Swords, Sabres,and backswords Discovered in Transylvania, Maramureș, and the Romanian Banat."
Slovenská Archeológia, LXVI-1 (2018): 27–48.
Hu Lin. “A Tale of Five Capitals: Contests for Legitimacy between the Liao and Its Rivals.” Journal of Asian History 44, No. 2 (2010): 99-127.
崔跃忠. "辽墓出土兵器探索." 硕士学位论文, 吉林大学, 2009.
邱士華. "化干戈為玉帛: 李公麟免冑圖賞析." 故宮文物月刊, 378 (2014): 104-114.
刘景文. "辽金兵器研究." 北方文物, 77期 (2004): 49-59.
Tom, Philip M. W. "Some Notable Sabers of the Qing Dynasty at The Metropolitan Museum of Art." Metropolitan Museum Journal, v. 36 (2001): 207-222.
Images:
Liao Dynasty Map = commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Liao_circuits.png
Khitans with weapons = thereaderwiki.com/en/Liao_dynasty
Five dynasties & ten kingdoms map = https://inf.news/en/history/24b5c3d4a660edf03290e5f21072f301.html
Khitan gers and armor = metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/39569
Khitan script rubbing = babelstone.co.uk/Khitan/Images/Beidawang_memorial.jpg
Tang dynasty dao = sohu.com/a/355654202_772510
Khazar Khaganate map = en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khazars
Turko-Mongol Saber = metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/25369?deptids=4&what=Sabers&ft=*&offset=40&rpp=40&pos=44
Persimmons = sohu.com/a/501529881_120866304
Gourds = huabaike.com/jtyh/25657.html
Khitans hunting = worldhistory.org/Khitan
Ming armored cavalrymen = aeon.co/essays/the-junhu-and-the-art-of-everyday-politics-in-imperial-china
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).
Song = 将军令, 山西绛州鼓乐艺术团, 绛州大鼓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 Twin Peak Liao Dao. This is a unique weapon from a unique part of history. I not only talk about the history behind the blade, but also attempt to place it into its proper historical context as well as test it out with some tatami test cutting.
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:58 History of the Liao Dynasty
4:11 Details of the Twin Peak Liao Dao
5:47 Curvature on Chinese swords
7:49 Details about the scabbard, hilt, and fittings
9:46 How does this sword fit into the Liao dynasty?
15:30 Musings about Twin Peak Dao techniques
17:12 Test Cutting
19:18 Conclusion
You can find the LK Chen Liao Dao at the following link:
lkchensword.com/twin-peaks-liao-dao
Source Material
Books:
Fu Lo-huan. Natpat and Ordo: A Study of the Way of Life and Military Organization of the Kitan Emperors and Their People. London: London University School of Oriental and African Studies, 1950.
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.
Kane, Daniel. The Kitan Language and Script. Handbuch der Orientalistik vol. 19. Boston: Brill, 2009.
刘浦江. 宋辽金史论集. 北京: 中华书局, 2010.
罗新. 黑毡上的北魏皇帝. 北京: 海豚出版杜, 2014.
楊若薇, 契丹王朝政治軍事制度研究. 北京: 中国社会学出版社, 1991.
Wittfogel, Karl A. and Feng Chia-Sheng. History of Chinese Society: Liao (907-1125). Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society, 1949.
Wu Yingzhe and Juha Janhunen. New Materials on the Kitan Small Script: A Critical Edition of Xiao Dilu and Yelü Xiangwen. Languages of Asia, vol. 9. Kent: Brill, 2010.
Articles:
Călin Cosma, "Seventh–Eighth-century Swords, Sabres,and backswords Discovered in Transylvania, Maramureș, and the Romanian Banat."
Slovenská Archeológia, LXVI-1 (2018): 27–48.
Hu Lin. “A Tale of Five Capitals: Contests for Legitimacy between the Liao and Its Rivals.” Journal of Asian History 44, No. 2 (2010): 99-127.
崔跃忠. "辽墓出土兵器探索." 硕士学位论文, 吉林大学, 2009.
邱士華. "化干戈為玉帛: 李公麟免冑圖賞析." 故宮文物月刊, 378 (2014): 104-114.
刘景文. "辽金兵器研究." 北方文物, 77期 (2004): 49-59.
Tom, Philip M. W. "Some Notable Sabers of the Qing Dynasty at The Metropolitan Museum of Art." Metropolitan Museum Journal, v. 36 (2001): 207-222.
Images:
Liao Dynasty Map = commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Liao_circuits.png
Khitans with weapons = thereaderwiki.com/en/Liao_dynasty
Five dynasties & ten kingdoms map = https://inf.news/en/history/24b5c3d4a660edf03290e5f21072f301.html
Khitan gers and armor = metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/39569
Khitan script rubbing = babelstone.co.uk/Khitan/Images/Beidawang_memorial.jpg
Tang dynasty dao = sohu.com/a/355654202_772510
Khazar Khaganate map = en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khazars
Turko-Mongol Saber = metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/25369?deptids=4&what=Sabers&ft=*&offset=40&rpp=40&pos=44
Persimmons = sohu.com/a/501529881_120866304
Gourds = huabaike.com/jtyh/25657.html
Khitans hunting = worldhistory.org/Khitan
Ming armored cavalrymen = aeon.co/essays/the-junhu-and-the-art-of-everyday-politics-in-imperial-china
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).
Song = 将军令, 山西绛州鼓乐艺术团, 绛州大鼓2.
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.
