Qing Dao

The qingdao emerged as China’s dominant military sword under the Manchu rulers (1636–1912). Its curved, single-edged design—optimized for cavalry charges—blended Mongolian, Central Asian, and Chinese influences. Officers wore ornate versions with brass hilts and scabbards, while infantry used practical "moon-bladed" types. The liuyedao (willow-leaf saber) became iconic. Though replaced by guns, it remains a symbol of China’s final imperial era in museums and martial arts.