Boxer/Republican era dadao

Yu-Ming Chang · 26th January 2009, 02:25 AM

While I haven't had time to antique up the cord wrap on the dadao I had restored, I did have a chance to take some pictures of a Republican era dadao I once owned with its intact original wrap. The red cord wrap is somewhat faded and darkened with grease and oil from use. The interwoven bands are of cord, not cloth strips as I remembered. In any case, I thought a look at an original wrap from a 50-60 year piece might be of interest to some of us.

Philip · 26th January 2009, 02:56 AM

Hi, Yu-ming
That's a nice example, with a clean blade that appears to be of nice quality for one of these, and intact cord wrapping with mellow fading and lovely patina. Great to find one of these whose grip covering isn't all ratty and chewed up.

The style of the wrapping (a simple spiral with four longitudinal "basketweave" strips) is quite common on dadao. On occasion, the longitudinal bands are cloth strips, not cord. Red on red is most often seen, although I've run into red and green, red and white, etc. As I've stated in a previous post, the material seen more often in Vietnam is split rattan, or a heavy twine that is twisted from sisal or similar plant fiber.

ThePepperSkull · 2nd July 2012, 05:53 AM

The more I look into chinese ethnographic blades the more interested I get. Does anyone have any more Dadao they care to share with us?

Jim McDougall · 2nd July 2012, 12:37 PM

I agree, these are most interesting, and as traditional weapons used in the civilian martial arts sector they remained basically the same for countless generations. These were long in use by the time of the Boxer Rebellion, and as Philip noted years ago here, they were often products of village smiths.

Recalling the grip thread color, I agree with using the more subdued color or even keeping the old if it wasn't coming off. I would note that during the Boxer Rebellion martial artists often used these and other forms of the ring pommel chopper in dramatic martial exercises and displays. As I have understood, these swords were sometimes garishly festooned to add to the dramatic effect and ostensibly to terrify onlooking westerners. Still, I would not personally one of these to regain that theoretical, or should say theatrical, appearance.

The grease and oil mentioned in the earlier post was likely from the preservative grease often used when these were stored away, and may suggest a 'bringback' item from the Boxer Rebellion period.

Additional note, aren't the 'chop marks' and 'x' marks on the back of the blade as often seen on SE Asian dhas and some other Asian areas? I know I have seen similar on Laotian dhas. Perhaps the dao with these may have seen service in Chinese occupied regions in SE Asia?

Richard G · 2nd July 2012, 01:29 PM

You could try leaving it on a sunny window-sill if you want to "bleach" some of the colour out of the wrapping', just be careful it doesn't dry out too much and become brittle.
Regards
Richard

KuKulzA28 · 3rd July 2012, 03:14 PM

Yu-Ming Chang, that's a very nice piece. A lot of old Da-dao are in much worse shape. Glad to see there's another lover of classic Chinese weaponry in the Boston area!

Maskell · 7th July 2012, 04:06 PM

Hi Thepepperskull you inquired if anyone had any Chinese da-dao to share, I have about 200 of them mostly in poor condition. Hi KukulzA28 I'm also in the Boston area so one more lover of da-dao here.

Best,
Maskell
Jerry

26th January 2009, 02:56 AM	#2
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	untouched antique grip Hi, Yu-ming That's a nice example, with a clean blade that appears to be of nice quality for one of these, and intact cord wrapping with mellow fading and lovely patina. Great to find one of these whose grip covering isn't all ratty and chewed up. The style of the wrapping (a simple spiral with four longitudinal "basketweave" strips) is quite common on dadao. On occasion, the longitudinal bands are cloth strips, not cord. Red on red is most often seen, although I've run into red and green, red and white, etc. As I've stated in a previous post, the material seen more often in Vietnam is split rattan, or a heavy twine that is twisted from sisal or similar plant fiber.

7th July 2012, 04:06 PM	#7
Maskell Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 38	Hi Thepepperskull you inquired if anyone had any Chinese da-dao to share, I have about 200 of them mostly in poor condition. Hi KukulzA28 I'm also in the Boston area so one more lover of da-dao here. Best, Maskell Jerry Attached Images

26th January 2009, 02:25 AM	#1
Yu-Ming Chang Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 21	While I haven't had time to antique up the cord wrap on the dadao I had restored, I did have a chance to take some pictures of a Republican era dadao I once owned with its intact original wrap. The red cord wrap is somewhat faded and darkened with grease and oil from use. The interwoven bands are of cord, not cloth strips as I remembered. In any case, I thought a look at an original wrap from a 50-60 year piece might be of interest to some of us.

2nd July 2012, 05:53 AM	#3
ThePepperSkull Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 338	The more I look into chinese ethnographic blades the more interested I get. Does anyone have any more Dadao they care to share with us?

2nd July 2012, 12:37 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,189	I agree, these are most interesting, and as traditional weapons used in the civilian martial arts sector they remained basically the same for countless generations. These were long in use by the time of the Boxer Rebellion, and as Philip noted years ago here, they were often products of village smiths. Recalling the grip thread color, I agree with using the more subdued color or even keeping the old if it wasn't coming off. I would note that during the Boxer Rebellion martial artists often used these and other forms of the ring pommel chopper in dramatic martial exercises and displays. As I have understood, these swords were sometimes garishly festooned to add to the dramatic effect and ostensibly to terrify onlooking westerners. Still, I would not personally one of these to regain that theoretical, or should say theatrical, appearance. The grease and oil mentioned in the earlier post was likely from the preservative grease often used when these were stored away, and may suggest a 'bringback' item from the Boxer Rebellion period. Additional note, aren't the 'chop marks' and 'x' marks on the back of the blade as often seen on SE Asian dhas and some other Asian areas? I know I have seen similar on Laotian dhas. Perhaps the dao with these may have seen service in Chinese occupied regions in SE Asia?

2nd July 2012, 01:29 PM	#5
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 409	You could try leaving it on a sunny window-sill if you want to "bleach" some of the colour out of the wrapping', just be careful it doesn't dry out too much and become brittle. Regards Richard

3rd July 2012, 03:14 PM	#6
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	Yu-Ming Chang, that's a very nice piece. A lot of old Da-dao are in much worse shape. Glad to see there's another lover of classic Chinese weaponry in the Boston area!