@@evildead6459 Thank you, kind stranger :) I know I am slow in the head, but I find that method of accessing additional images to be a bit unusual and unintuitive. But once found, great images.
This is Scott Hurst, the curator of Asian and African Collections in the Royal Armouries in the UK, which houses a collection of iconic weapons throughout history.
Thanks Scot and team, that was most interesting. It is a shame we were not able to see the blade. Presumably the blade is much plainer than the scabbard and a ceremonial sword like this would have carried as as mark of status rather than used as a weapon.
Have a look at the link in the description Derek - there are some decent photos there. I'm not sure why Scot wasn't able to show the blade, but I assume it's on advice from our conservation team.
@@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries Thanks Jonathan, there is indeed some nice detail of the blade there. I might have been tempted to edit some of those stills into the video, but Scot already had a plenty to talk about.
Truly astounding small details, I wonder if a single craftsman did all of it. Imagine this sword hanging off your hip in 1410, presumably more valuable than every single town you pass through
Another fun fact about the Ming: the character Ming (明) is composed of the characters sun (日) and moon (月). So the character Ming actually symbolizes the heavens' light on top of just being bright. Sorta like a description of devine right
So the Jian was kind of equivalent to European civilian fencing sword. The Dao being equivalent to a European cavalry saber or a cutlass. It's interesting to see parallels between cultures.
Kinda universal to have a fancy double edged sword for snobby folks trying to show off, and a single edge thick bastard for actual chopping body parts in battle.
I'm sure the royal armouries must be aware of this but if the scabbard is that tight it is a really bad idea to store the sword inside of it. The blade will require periodic maintenance, and every time it needs to be taken out of the scabbard you risk damaging it. It also prevents the public from seeing the actual (extremely rare type of) sword.
Too bad we couldn't see the sword separate from the scabbard, but I completely understand the reasons why we couldn't. I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment!
Can XIV.13 (the fork bayonet combination gun thing) get an episode covering it? It's kinda whacky and weirdly early for what seems to be a socket bayonet.
I can't speak to this sword specifically because I don't know any of the specs, but it's entirely possible to make a staggeringly decorated sword entirely practical. I think it's typically the case. I think people can be a bit quick to assume that extreme decoration on armour and weapons therefore means it wasn't suited for combat. I'm honestly not sure where that comes from tbh. It's really quite rare, in my experience to see highly decorated weapons and armour that have impractical forms resulting from their decoration
I guess in the same way with a lot of items from other cultures that are in British museums, “acquired from the neglectful dead hands of its original owners”
I just fast forwarded through this video and I am thoroughly uninterested in rewinding it because a video on a sword like this where you don't take it out of it's scabbard is like a porn where no one takes their pants off.
I’m wondering how this sword came into possession of the Royal Armoury? There were a couple unfortunate British incursions into Tibet at the turn of the 19th century as I recall.
This is precisely Tibetan sword in terms of shape, size and design. Also the cover have clear design of 4 headed vajra which used only by Tibetans as mural. For me This doesnt look anything chinese(atleast what we have witnessed till now) or unless Ming dynasty adapted it from Tibetans.
Very informative! I would suggest that presenters learn how to say the non-English terms correctly though, the pronunciation of "jian" sounds nothing like how it should.
Just a heads-up guys - there's a link in the description to the object record where you can see the blade.
Pin it!
@@777anarchist I can't, but I'll ask.
@@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries When following the link to the armouries site for it, there is only a single image, showing the mask thingie :/
@@lutzderlurch7877 click the media(16) button when you hover over the image
@@evildead6459 Thank you, kind stranger :)
I know I am slow in the head, but I find that method of accessing additional images to be a bit unusual and unintuitive.
But once found, great images.
This is Scott Hurst, the curator of Asian and African Collections in the Royal Armouries in the UK, which houses a collection of iconic weapons throughout history.
Hmm... Sounds familiar.
lol good try
I'd love this series too 😁
lol the title literally says "With curator of African & Asian Collections Scot Hurst"
Today Scott is going to look at some of the weapons of chivalry 2
Thanks Scot and team, that was most interesting. It is a shame we were not able to see the blade. Presumably the blade is much plainer than the scabbard and a ceremonial sword like this would have carried as as mark of status rather than used as a weapon.
Have a look at the link in the description Derek - there are some decent photos there. I'm not sure why Scot wasn't able to show the blade, but I assume it's on advice from our conservation team.
@@JonathanFergusonRoyalArmouries Thanks Jonathan, there is indeed some nice detail of the blade there. I might have been tempted to edit some of those stills into the video, but Scot already had a plenty to talk about.
@@derekp2674 No, I agree - we could have used the high resolution files to show the detail.
The detail is absolutely unreal. what a statement weapon
Gorgeous piece of work! I've seen this in the gallery, very happy to learn more about it. Thank you!
Truly astounding small details, I wonder if a single craftsman did all of it. Imagine this sword hanging off your hip in 1410, presumably more valuable than every single town you pass through
Another fun fact about the Ming: the character Ming (明) is composed of the characters sun (日) and moon (月). So the character Ming actually symbolizes the heavens' light on top of just being bright. Sorta like a description of devine right
Wonderful item and lovely to see some variety.
So the Jian was kind of equivalent to European civilian fencing sword. The Dao being equivalent to a European cavalry saber or a cutlass. It's interesting to see parallels between cultures.
No matter in the world some of the same needs arise. Though it’s interesting to see the solution to the same problem or need.
Kinda universal to have a fancy double edged sword for snobby folks trying to show off, and a single edge thick bastard for actual chopping body parts in battle.
I thought that the decline and final downfall of the Ming dynasty, was due to Flash Gordon.
Chinese swords are greatly underrated. Don’t get me wrong the Japanese swords are cool but the Chinese ones have a certain charm
The Dadao sword showed its worth during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
Don't say it too loudly but... the Japanese acquired their sword making techniques from China.
No, it don't 🤣,
The Dao is just a single edged sword, not at all defined by a curved blade.
A fascinating story! Can you comment on why the dao superceded the jian? It is amazing that the jian stuck around for so long afterwards
The irresistible force of thunderbolt, its imagery made with gold, one of the most conductive metals. Oh the irony...
I'm sure the royal armouries must be aware of this but if the scabbard is that tight it is a really bad idea to store the sword inside of it. The blade will require periodic maintenance, and every time it needs to be taken out of the scabbard you risk damaging it. It also prevents the public from seeing the actual (extremely rare type of) sword.
Too bad we couldn't see the sword separate from the scabbard, but I completely understand the reasons why we couldn't. I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment!
Can XIV.13 (the fork bayonet combination gun thing) get an episode covering it? It's kinda whacky and weirdly early for what seems to be a socket bayonet.
Man I wanted to see the blade
The description has a link to some images of the sword
How useful would highly ornate weapons like this actually be in combat ? Were they mainly used for ceremonies and such ?
I can't speak to this sword specifically because I don't know any of the specs, but it's entirely possible to make a staggeringly decorated sword entirely practical. I think it's typically the case. I think people can be a bit quick to assume that extreme decoration on armour and weapons therefore means it wasn't suited for combat. I'm honestly not sure where that comes from tbh. It's really quite rare, in my experience to see highly decorated weapons and armour that have impractical forms resulting from their decoration
when will we see Sue again?
How did you come to obtain this sword?
I guess in the same way with a lot of items from other cultures that are in British museums, “acquired from the neglectful dead hands of its original owners”
Looks like an Elder Scrolls Dwarven sword but... real.
I just fast forwarded through this video and I am thoroughly uninterested in rewinding it because a video on a sword like this where you don't take it out of it's scabbard is like a porn where no one takes their pants off.
It's a shame the blade isn't as nice as the rest of the sword.
Dynasty isn't Dinasty. Dynamo isnt Dinamo.
a stokie?
Here, look at a scabbard -_-
Is there some sort of law prohibiting the drawing and displaying of this sword?
He explained the difficulty in doing so. The process requires several people, and can damage the sword. You must have missed that part.
I’m wondering how this sword came into possession of the Royal Armoury? There were a couple unfortunate British incursions into Tibet at the turn of the 19th century as I recall.
Great to see other than pewpews, from the collection.
You are a Very brave man! But you totally butchered the name "劍 jian" I think it should sound more like Gim.
considering how much colonization, invasions, and otherwise wars with nations outside of the UK. good find.
next pulwar or tulwar please
This is precisely Tibetan sword in terms of shape, size and design. Also the cover have clear design of 4 headed vajra which used only by Tibetans as mural. For me This doesnt look anything chinese(atleast what we have witnessed till now) or unless Ming dynasty adapted it from Tibetans.
Is no-one going to contribute a 'Bling Dynasty' dad joke?
Blade ☹️
I understand that it was owned by the Ming emperor. However, the sword really doesn't seem representative of Ming China.
It's very Tibetan.
Nice scabbard. Is there a sword in there?
if you cant show us the real blade inside scabard please at least show us pictures or something to refrence.
There's a link to some pictures of the sword in the description
@@chooseyouhandle now is by the time i wrote the comment there wasnt much more than few lines of text in description. thanks for the update =)
Very informative! I would suggest that presenters learn how to say the non-English terms correctly though, the pronunciation of "jian" sounds nothing like how it should.
Geeeee and.
Forgive me, I am taking Chinese lessons from today
Get some assistance & show the thing you're on about then.
Give it back.
Lmao hell no
Why?
@@PaleSaladRobbery is crime
Could have a least show us what blade should’ve looked like. Disappointing.
buckle up ni**a, knuckle up ni**a!
Hoody Hoo! That's the code for them killas!
Is that a Wu Tang reference?
@@chooseyouhandle naw, it's a TRU song 😛
Must've cost a lot of opium, didn't it?
where boomsticks?
No blade to look at.... Moving on
So you don't show us the actual sword? What a waste of a video
He said the blade was stuck in the scabbard. It's probably a rusted piece of scrap metal.
Its still full of interesting information
I was wrong! The sword is a little rough but it's still quite nice looking. There's an interesting pattern on it.
Aww maaaan I lost all interest once he said he couldn't remove the blade from the scabbard, talk about boring, no point in watching further.