| Smashing through shields, smashing apart armor and | | | | As time went on metal works and warriors would |
| slashing through fleshing and bone there was a time | | | | develop different designs to deal with whatever |
| when the sword was king of the battlefield. It | | | | combat situation they had to deal with. The spear |
| denoted strength and power, and in many cultures it | | | | and sword remained popular with China's soldiers, but |
| was a symbol of leadership and nobility. China's | | | | the Mongol invasion would bring many outside |
| warriors called their broadswords and bladed | | | | influences. The riders of the steppes are best known |
| weapons Dao, and they became part of the four | | | | for their use of the bow, but they were also experts |
| major weapons groups in Chinese martial arts. A | | | | with the saber and lance. The Mongols who primarily |
| sharp curved edge and a hilt going oppose the blade | | | | used the single handed curved brought weapons with |
| is the most popular design today, but it has evolved | | | | them from Europe, Arabia, and Indian, and their |
| over the centuries, and can still be lethal in close | | | | influence would have long lasting effects on China's |
| combat. | | | | weapons industry. |
| Like in other nations the sword first appeared during | | | | Chinese swords would continue to be used in combat |
| China's Bronze Age, but it wasn't the best material to | | | | in China up until Japan's invasion during the 1930's, and |
| work with. The Era of Warring States which began in | | | | during the occupation they were used by resistance |
| 476 BCE and last over 200 years brought about | | | | fighters in ambushes. Today they're part of Wushu |
| many change in China. Cavalry replaced chariots, | | | | training, and a variety of swords are used as part of |
| crossbows began being widely used, and iron | | | | cultural training. Some schools still teach weapons |
| weapons and armor came into use. Among them | | | | combat as part of self defense though items like |
| was the dagger-axe which could be 9 to 12 feet tall | | | | canes and baseball bats have replaced swords (try |
| which allowed armies to form walls of spears. | | | | carrying a sword on your normal commute). Swords |
| Another weapon available to the infantry was the | | | | teach us the fundamentals of personal combat, and |
| podao which was like a broadsword, but with a | | | | how to deal with close combat situations. Though |
| longer handle which allowed a warrior to cut the limits | | | | firearms are part of combat today when you close in |
| off a cavalrymen's horse. Along with new weapons | | | | on an enemy you will find the fight hasn't changed |
| many new books on tactics were produced, the | | | | much, so don't forget what you learned from your |
| most famous being t Sun Tzu's The Art of War, | | | | sword training. |
| which still remains relevant today. | | | | |