Taoist and Chinese swords

fenlander · 9th October 2006, 07:02 AM

I am an Englishman now livng in Taiwan. I would like to get a book that specializes in Chinese arms and armour. As well as one that includes Taoist weapons and ceremonial swords and knives etc. Are there any good books around on this subject as I would like to keep my eyes open for interesting finds; as I often visit local temples and places of historical interest ?

athena · 16th October 2006, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fenlander

I am an Englishman now livng in Taiwan. I would like to get a book that specializes in Chinese arms and armour. As well as one that includes Taoist weapons and ceremonial swords and knives etc. Are there any good books around on this subject as I would like to keep my eyes open for interesting finds; as I often visit local temples and places of historical interest ?

Huangchao Liqi Tushi is a good book. And there are several other good books. Can you read Chinese?

Mark · 16th October 2006, 11:25 PM

Scott Rodell's book "Chinese Swordsmanship: The Yang Family Taiji Jian Tradition" might be worth a look.
http://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Swords...801711?ie=UTF8

Philip · 17th October 2006, 07:09 AM

As you are no doubt aware, the double edged sword (jian) is a potent symbol in Taoist iconography, as an implement for vanquishing evil and marshalling supernatural forces. Three outstanding and rare Taoist ritual swords of the Ming and Qing are illus. and described at length in the superbly annotated catalog, TAOISM AND THE ARTS OF CHINA (Stephen Little/Shawn Eichman, eds), The Art Institute of Chicago, 2000). One of them has an inscription identical to that on a Sino-Korean jian in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which I am discussing in my upcoming book on dao and jian.

The book TAOISM... also contains several paintings, mostly Ming but also some Yuan and Qing works, that depict jian being held or wielded. This graphic material is invaluable for the study of the weapon's development between the Yuan and Ming periods, from which few examples survive in their original mountings. This book is a "must" for anyone interested in jian development, and ritual swords in particular.

fenlander · 17th October 2006, 10:38 AM

Thank you so much. That is fantastic information, I will look for those books.
Especially Taoism and the Arts of China. Brilliant.

Regards

Douglas

9th October 2006, 07:02 AM	#1
fenlander Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 62	Taoist and Chinese swords I am an Englishman now livng in Taiwan. I would like to get a book that specializes in Chinese arms and armour. As well as one that includes Taoist weapons and ceremonial swords and knives etc. Are there any good books around on this subject as I would like to keep my eyes open for interesting finds; as I often visit local temples and places of historical interest ?

17th October 2006, 07:09 AM	#4
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	Taoism and swords As you are no doubt aware, the double edged sword (jian) is a potent symbol in Taoist iconography, as an implement for vanquishing evil and marshalling supernatural forces. Three outstanding and rare Taoist ritual swords of the Ming and Qing are illus. and described at length in the superbly annotated catalog, TAOISM AND THE ARTS OF CHINA (Stephen Little/Shawn Eichman, eds), The Art Institute of Chicago, 2000). One of them has an inscription identical to that on a Sino-Korean jian in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which I am discussing in my upcoming book on dao and jian. The book TAOISM... also contains several paintings, mostly Ming but also some Yuan and Qing works, that depict jian being held or wielded. This graphic material is invaluable for the study of the weapon's development between the Yuan and Ming periods, from which few examples survive in their original mountings. This book is a "must" for anyone interested in jian development, and ritual swords in particular.

17th October 2006, 10:38 AM	#5
fenlander Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 62	Thanks so much Thank you so much. That is fantastic information, I will look for those books. Especially Taoism and the Arts of China. Brilliant. Regards Douglas

16th October 2006, 11:25 PM	#3
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Scott Rodell's book "Chinese Swordsmanship: The Yang Family Taiji Jian Tradition" might be worth a look. http://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Swords...801711?ie=UTF8