No.3 --- Han Jian

Introduction

A Chinese jian is a double-edged straight sword, usually decorated with beautiful patterns and ornaments.In ancient China, jians served combatant and ceremonial purposes, and were particularly very popular among the ruling and noble classes, symbolizing wealth and social status. For instance, the emperor's jian would be called the "Shang Fang Bao Jian", which implied his immense power in the empire.

     Aside from the connotation above, a jian also metaphorically connotes the "Junzi of Weapons". The concept of "Junzi" in Chinese culture refers to a righteous man with a gentleman's qualities and chivalrous spirits. This connotation could be felt from the clean and stand-up shape of the blade and the elegant and unaffected decoration of the sword overall.

     This sword is a typical Han Jian, which developed in the Han dynasty (BC 202 - AC 220). A Han jian is usually characterized by its long handle (around 20 cm or 2/3 ft) and flat and platy pommel.

     Today, the han jians remain popular among antique collectors and martial artists, and given their gorgeous artistic appearances, they can also serve as great decorative items.

------------------------------------

Materials

Fitting:  Zinc Alloy 

Sheath: Wood with Cloth Surface

Blade: High-Carbon Steel

------------------------------------

Dimensions

Total Weight: 1.94 kg (4.28 lbs)

Unsheathed Weight: 1.45 kg (3.20 lbs)

Full Length: 102.5 cm (3.36 ft)

Blade Length: 73 cm (2.40 ft)

Handle Length: 19.8 cm (0.65 ft)

Base Blade Thickness: 4 cm (1.57 in)

Base Blade Width: 0.5 cm (0.2 in)