A question of Chinese Pole arms

Philip · 21st March 2008, 04:24 PM

The things are of a type of hafted weapon used for military purpoises in China since the Song Dynasty, and the official name has always been "yanyuedao" (reclining [i.e. crescent] moon knife). The term "kwandao" may be a regional dialectic term which has now morphed into "dojo-talk" used universally in today's martial arts world. Because "kwandao" and its variants are not reflected in the Chinese military literature, I avoid its use.

These all-wood versions in the pics are temple regalia. Looking closely at the decoration on the blades, and the work on the shafts, I tend to think that they are from Vietnam where the weapon is called "xien" or "yem nguyet dao" (the latter having the same literal meaning as the Chinese). I have seen an almost identically-constructed set of these wooden polearms, along with two handed sabers, in one of the sanctuaries of the Bach Ma Mieu (White Horse Temple) in Hanoi's Old Quarter.

Yanyuedao were also used in Korea, where they were called "unwoldo" (same meaning as Ch. and Viet.). The Okinawans also used them, their name for it escapes me at moment.

21st March 2008, 04:24 PM	#4
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	wooden pole arms The things are of a type of hafted weapon used for military purpoises in China since the Song Dynasty, and the official name has always been "yanyuedao" (reclining [i.e. crescent] moon knife). The term "kwandao" may be a regional dialectic term which has now morphed into "dojo-talk" used universally in today's martial arts world. Because "kwandao" and its variants are not reflected in the Chinese military literature, I avoid its use. These all-wood versions in the pics are temple regalia. Looking closely at the decoration on the blades, and the work on the shafts, I tend to think that they are from Vietnam where the weapon is called "xien" or "yem nguyet dao" (the latter having the same literal meaning as the Chinese). I have seen an almost identically-constructed set of these wooden polearms, along with two handed sabers, in one of the sanctuaries of the Bach Ma Mieu (White Horse Temple) in Hanoi's Old Quarter. Yanyuedao were also used in Korea, where they were called "unwoldo" (same meaning as Ch. and Viet.). The Okinawans also used them, their name for it escapes me at moment.