The
zhanmadao is a single-edged
sabre with a long broad blade, and a long handle suitable for two-handed use. It was used as an anti-
cavalry weapon, dating from
Emperor Cheng of Han, made to slice through a horse's legs. This is mentioned in the
Wujing Zongyao, a Song military manual from 1072. It featured prominently against the
Jin armies in campaigns between 1129 and 1141. The earliest variant of the
zhanmadao is called
zhanmajian (), literally "horse beheading
jian". The
zhanmajian existed during the
Han dynasty, so called because it was supposedly able to cut off a horse's head. The difference between the two is that
zhanmajian is double-edged whereas the
zhanmadao is single-edged, which persists with the meaning of
jian and
dao. Another suggestion is that the
zhanmajian was an execution tool used on special occasions rather than a military weapon. Surviving examples include a sword that might resemble a
nagamaki in construction; it had a wrapped handle long making it easy to grip with two hands with a blade that was long and straight, with a slight curve in the last half. == Similar weapons ==