Song Dynasty style shoudao
 

Chinese minorities often show stylistic elements from much earlier periods in Chinese history. Here is a Yi minority chopper that is almost identical to Song shoudao that are otherwise only found in period art as depicted on Thomas Chen's website.

http://thomaschen.freewebspace.com/catalog.html

I suspect the shoudao is the originator of many choppers of similar size.
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...duation366.jpg
Josh

Hi Josh,
Thank you for posting the interesting link and comments on these Chinese weapons. There is not a great deal of data on these readily available and limited knowledge base in general on them, thus equally limited response.
It seems most I have ever learned about Chinese and Korean swords has been through Scott Rodell and Philip Tom and the material they have produced concerning them. The 'Seven Stars' catalogs are truly a goldmine of data! :)

I think you're right on target with thoughts on the reoccurrence of many weapons from much earlier times in the production of more recent forms. I know this is the case in many cultural spheres where proud traditions are revived inspirationally, as seen for example in India and in the Qajar weapons in Persia.

Best regards,
Jim