From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Dao (刀) (Py dao1, Wade-Giles tao1)is a category of single-edge Chinese swords primarily used for slashing and chopping (sabers), often called broadswords in English because some varieties have wide blades. Dao literally means knife.
They changed shape significantly through the centuries and are named according to standard shapes. They are characterised by a whole or partially curved profile and come in a large range of sizes, sometimes attached to the end of a long staff and known as "Long-handled Broadswords" (see halberd).
The most recent versions were used by some Chinese militia units against Japanese invaders in the Second World War.
The double-edge straight swords of China are classified as Jian.
