liuyedao

{{Short description|Chinese sword}}

{{More citations needed|date=October 2012}}

{{Italic title|reason=:Category:Chinese words and phrases}}

{{Infobox Chinese

|pic = Sword with Scabbard MET 21123 - cropped.jpg

|piccap = A 17th–18th century liuyedao with gilt iron fittings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art{{sfn|Tom|2001|pp=217–219}}

|t = 柳葉刀

|s = 柳叶刀

|l = willow leaf knife

|p = liǔyèdāo

|y = láuhyihpdōu

|j = lau5 jip6 dou1

}}

File:Chinese saber.jpg shaped like a liuyedao (note: controversial. This knife is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. It should be a niuweidao that is often mistaken for a liuyedao)]]

File:Sword with Scabbard MET 21123 - cropped.jpg.)]]

The liuyedao or "willow-leaf saber" is a type of dao that was commonly used as a military sidearm for both cavalry and infantry during the Ming and Qing dynasties. A descendant of the earlier Mongol sabre the liuyedao remained the most popular type of single handed sabre during the Ming dynasty, replacing the role of the jian as a issued weapon in the military.Tom 2005, pp. 77-78 Many schools of Chinese martial arts originally trained with this weapon.

This weapon features a moderate curve along the length of the blade. This reduces thrusting ability (though it is still fairly effective at same) while increasing the power of cuts and slashes. The hilts are typically straight, but can be re-curved downward starting in the 18th century.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mandarinmansion.com/article/geese-and-willows|title=Of Geese and Willows|last=Tom|first=Philip|date=2019|website=Mandarin Mansion}} It weighs from {{convert|2|to|3|lb|kg|abbr=on}}, and is {{convert|36|to|39|in|cm|abbr=on}} long.

Many examples will often have a decorated collar at the throat of the blade called a tunkou, which are stylistic holdovers from the preceding designs.