I just couldn't wait!!!

[Valjhun]

Tatarattatataaaaa

I've just found the guy who possesed it... Who is he?

[Klas Larsson]

That is general Kuan (Gwan) mention above, also known as Kuan Ti (Guan Di) the God of War, and a protector deity, for homes, temples and other buildings. Can sometimes be seen sittings on a horse on roof tiles. Saw some real nice ones from Tang era at an exhibition a wile a go, see if I can find pictures. He is also a character in the old novels "Three Kingdoms", and a historical character.

About the hefty size, Peter Dekker wrote something on Yan Yue dao in the Qing military, and told they had very heavy ones for martial practice, quoting the military regulations books of Qing. Can not recall where he wrote this, maybe his website? Its at http://www.mandarinmansion.com/

Not saying this is one of those military examples, but it could still be a practice dao, as some of you already pointed out, its way to heavy for fighting, but can well build strength and develop correct body usage in martial practice.

And congratulations, this is really something extra!

[Klas Larsson]

Here are some really nice pictures of Yan Yue Dao, on Tomas Chens always usefull website http://thomaschen.freewebspace.com/photo4.html

[Gavin Nugent]

Thanks for the kind words and for supplying the link Klas, I too was recently looking at it and they are all choice examples shown. One pictured has a similar blade configuration, the third last one it is, I particuarly like the suspended tassle shown.
Thanks too for coming in and covering off General Kwan, it was an interesting representation of him Valjhun bought forth.
Thanks for keeping this thread going with your interest too guys. Josh, if anything further has come to light I would love to hear it.
I should have new images in a fews days as I have been tracking the package and I should receive it Monday Aussie time.

regards

Gav

[Gonzalo G]

!Congratulations, Gav! A VERY interesting piece. Do you think it´s an offering item to the temple? Or a weapon designed to be used, no matter it was offered? There were some heavy fighting weapons on the chinese arsenal. Usually associated with the presence of heavy armour.
Regards

Gonzalo

[Gavin Nugent]

G'day Gonzalo, thanks for popping in on this thread.

Without having the piece in my hand yet, I still believe it is a weapon of massive proportions but was used within a temple of some description, maybe for ceremony, maybe for protection... I have yet been unable to reveal this.

There was reference made by the packers and senders when I spoke to them, that the shaft, although it appears to be timber to me when looking through the dragons mouth, they indicated that it is as hard as iron and almost had a metallic ring to it when struck, this alone may point further to a more practical nature. What I can see within the blades structure points to me that it is a weapon and the design of the dragon and the inlay on the blade all point to the makeup of something that would be used and found within a temple, one that could well be called upon within it's home to serve as devastating weapon.
Again, only my thoughts. I know there are some out there who would be considered much more versed in the subject and I look forward to hearing from them if they stumble across this thread. Given the time, I will make contact via websites to experts to see if the mystery can be revealed.
What are your views on this one Gonzalo?
I continue to welcome all comments from anyone interested, speculation or otherwise can all help unravel a mystery.

thanks

Gav

[Gavin Nugent]

Not the same but worth a look, sounds like it is in German. Fast forward to 3 minutes and again to 4minutes 30 secs for a few different versions in this Doco.

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=A5EwWL...eature=related

I guess no one was looking as I forgot the link

Gav