Chinese Tang Sword

The tang sword tradition refers to the Chinese blade culture that reached its peak of refinement during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), one of the most significant periods in Chinese history for martial arts, culture, and international influence. Tang Dynasty blades were among the most technically advanced of their era, and the swords that passed through China's borders during this period influenced blade traditions across East and Southeast Asia - including the early Japanese tachi tradition. In the broader context of Chinese sword collecting, "tang sword" encompasses both the specific historical formats of the Tang period and the wider Chinese straight and curved blade traditions that evolved from this foundation.

Chinese tang sword collectibles in this collection span the primary Chinese blade formats. Chinese dao broadswords in 1045, Manganese Steel, and spring steel represent the dominant cutting blade tradition of Chinese martial history. Han dynasty jian straight swords in 1095 carbon steel provide the elegant double-edged format associated with Chinese scholarly and martial culture. The Chinese overlord spear in Manganese Steel represents the primary polearm tradition. Qing dynasty broadswords, oxtail dao, and Han dynasty short swords complete the historical range. For related collections, our chinese sword and tang dao collections offer focused single-format Chinese blade alternatives.

A Chinese tang sword collection creates a display that communicates the depth and sophistication of Chinese martial culture in a way that Japanese sword collections alone cannot. For collectors who want their collection to represent the full scope of East Asian blade traditions - both Japanese and Chinese - a Chinese tang sword piece alongside Japanese katana creates the most culturally complete and historically resonant display. The visual differences between Chinese and Japanese blade formats are immediately apparent and create compelling contrast in any mixed display.