Editing Dao (Chinese sword) (section)

==Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties==
[[File:宋代刀八色與明代刀器.png|thumb|400px|Swords and polearms as depicted in the [[Wubei Zhi]], including ''dao''.]]

With the [[Mongols|Mongol]] invasion of China in the early 13th century and the formation of the [[Yuan dynasty]], the curved steppe saber became a greater influence on Chinese sword designs. Sabers had been used by [[Turkic peoples|Turkic]], [[Tungusic peoples|Tungusic]], and other steppe peoples of [[Central Asia]] since at least the 8th century CE. It was a favored weapon among the Mongol aristocracy. Its effectiveness for mounted warfare and popularity among soldiers throughout the Mongol empire had lasting effects.<ref name="Tom 2001 207"/>

[[File:Portrait of the Imperial Bodyguard Zhanyinbao.jpg|right|thumb|243px|Zhanyinbao, an [[Imperial Guards Brigade|Imperial bodyguard]], wearing a sheathed ''dao''. Notice the [[lanyard]] through the handle. (1760)]]

In China, Mongol influence lasted long after the collapse of the Yuan dynasty at the hands of the [[Ming dynasty|Ming]], continuing through both the Ming and the [[Qing dynasty|Qing]] dynasties, furthering the popularity of the dao and spawning a variety of new blades. Blades with greater curvature became popular, and these new styles are collectively referred to as {{Transliteration|zh|peidao}} (佩刀).{{NoteTag|Literal translation:"Worn-Sabre" or "Carried-Sabre". This is a generic term in Chinese referring to all sabres worn on belt or waist, not merely to denote Turko-Mongol sabers and other curved swords.}} During the mid-Ming, these new sabers would completely replace the ''jian'' as a military-issue weapon.<ref>{{harvnb|Tom|2001|pp=207–209}}</ref> The four main types of {{Transliteration|zh|peidao}} are:<ref name="Tom 2001 211">{{harvnb|Tom|2001|p=211}}</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Tom|Rodell|2005|p=76}}</ref>

===Yanmaodao===
{{main|Yanmaodao}}

The ''yanmaodao'' or "goose-quill saber" is largely straight like the earlier ''zhibeidao'', with a curve appearing at the [[center of percussion]] near the blade's tip. This allows for thrusting attacks and overall handling similar to that of the ''jian'' while preserving much of the dao's strengths in cutting and slashing.<ref>{{harvnb|Tom|Rodell|2005|p=77}}</ref>

===Liuyedao===
{{main|Liuyedao}}
The ''liuyedao'' or "willow leaf saber" is the most common form of Chinese saber. It first appeared during the Ming dynasty and features a moderate curve along the length of the blade. This weapon became the standard sidearm for cavalry and infantry, replacing the ''yanmaodao'', and is the sort of saber used by many schools of [[Chinese martial arts]].<ref>{{harvnb|Tom|Rodell|2005|pp=77–78}}</ref>

===Piandao===
{{main|Piandao}}
The ''piandao'' or "slashing saber" is a deeply curved dao meant for slashing and draw-cutting. This weapon bears a strong resemblance to the shamshir and scimitar. Skirmishers generally used it in conjunction with a [[shield]].<ref>{{harvnb|Tom|Rodell|2005|p=78}}</ref>

===Niuweidao===
{{main|Niuweidao}}
The ''niuweidao'' or "oxtail saber" is a heavy-bladed weapon with a characteristic flaring tip. It is the archetypal "Chinese broadsword" of kung fu movies today. It was first recorded in the early 19th century (the latter half of the [[Qing dynasty]]) and only as a civilian weapon: there is no record of it being issued to troops, and it does not appear in any listing of official weaponry. Its appearance in movies and modern literature is thus often [[anachronism|anachronistic]].<ref name="Tom 2001 211"/><ref>{{harvnb|Tom|Rodell|2005|pp=78–79}}</ref>

=== Other types ===
Besides these four major types of dao, the ''duandao'' or "short dao" was also used, this being a compact weapon generally in the shape of a ''liuyedao''.<ref>{{harvnb|Tom|Rodell|2005|pp=80, 84}}</ref> The ''dadao'' saw continued use, and during the Ming dynasty the large two-handed ''[[Changdao (sword)|changdao]]'' and {{Transliteration|zh|[[zhanmadao]]}} were used both against the cavalry of the northern steppes and the ''[[wokou]]'' ([[pirate]]s) of the southeast coast; these latter weapons (sometimes under different names) would continue to see limited use during the Qing period.<ref>{{harvnb|Tom|Rodell|2005|p=85}}</ref> Also, during the Qing, there appeared weapons such as the ''[[nandao]]'', regional variants in the name or shape of some of the above dao, and more obscure variants such as the "nine ringed broadsword", these last likely invented for street demonstrations and theatrical performances rather than for use as weapons. The word ''dao'' is also used in the names of several polearms that feature a single-edged blade, such as the ''[[pudao]]'' and {{Transliteration|zh|[[guandao]]}}.

The Chinese [[qiang (spear)|spear]] and dao (''liuyedao'' and ''yanmaodao'') were commonly issued to infantry due to the expense of and relatively greater amount of training required for the effective use of the Chinese straight sword, or ''[[jian]]''. Dao can often be depicted in period artwork worn by officers and infantry.

During the Yuan dynasty and after, some aesthetic features of [[Persian people|Persian]], [[Indian people|Indian]], and [[Turkic peoples|Turkish]] swords would appear on dao. These could include intricate carvings on the blade and "rolling pearls": small metal balls that would roll along [[fuller (weapon)|fuller]]-like grooves in the blade.<ref>{{harvnb|Tom|2001|pp=209, 218}}</ref>