As the katana was to Japan. There also exists an iconic cold weapon in modern Chinese history ---- The Da Dao(大刀)
In fact, the katana served primarily as a status symbol for the Japanese Army in World War II. The Da Dao, on the other hand, was truly used as a melee weapon in place of the bayonet.
The Da Dao (greatsword) is a historic cold weapon that originated in the Tang Dynasty in 600 AD. If you’ve played Age of Empires 4 you may remember the weapon wielded by the Chinese warriors/horseman in it, which was called the Mo Dao(Long Sword).
Mo Dao
In fact, AOE4 used a ceremonial version of MO DAO, called the “ Moon Crescent Blade”.
Over the next few hundred years, the Mo Dao continued to shrink in size and began to approach the length of the European double-handed sword.
Song Dynasty（1100AD） “ Horse Chopper Blade ”, used against nomadic cavalry.
Da Dao is a final simplified version of this weapon, removing the long handle to make it easier for soldiers to carry. Also widens the blade for easy chopping, and serving as a sidearm.
Due to its simple manufacturing process, the Da Dao became widely popular among civilians during the late Qing Dynasty(1840 AD). It played a significant role during the famous Boxer Rebellion.
Due to China’s severe shortage of factories and machinery required for producing bayonets, Da Dao served as a substitute for bayonets for a long period. Throughout the first 50 years of the 20th century, Da Dao was used by nearly all military factions in China, ranging from militias to the most elite units of the KMT Central Army.
Beiyang Warlord soldier wielding Dadao ，1927
Warlord soldier from the 1920s, holding dadao and Mauser C96 pistol
Since Da Dao could only slash and not thrust, it lacked an advantage when facing bayonets in close combat. However, for the various warlords in China at the time, there were no other alternatives.
Propaganda photos of the 29th Army
During the War of Resistance Against Japan, Da Dao became a symbol of the Chinese military. Photographs of soldiers carrying dadaos served as the best propaganda material. There were even specialized close-combat assault teams equipped solely with Mauser m1932 automatic pistols and dadaos.
The soldiers from 29th army equipped with automatic pistols all had a Dadao strapped to their backs.
In the 1933 Battle of the Great Wall, the renowned 29th Army was heavily equipped with dadaos and organized specialized dadao squads to engage in night raids and close combat against the Japanese forces.
One of the most famous patriotic song of the time was “Dadao March”
The first line of the lyrics is: “The dadao strikes at the heads of the Japanese invaders”
Equipment donated by the people of Guangdong for frontline soldiers—note the dadao on the left.
Soldiers equipped with long-handled dadaos, which are more similar in design to the Song Dynasty’s “ZhanMaDao” (horse-cutting Blade).
An American trading card from the 1938 “Horrors of War” series. This image was labeled “Chinese ‘Big Sword’ Corps Resist the Japanese.”
Soldier of KMT Central Army equipped with dadao
Soldier of the 29th Army equipped with dadao at the Great Wall
Dadao appearing in sino-Japanese war movies made by Taiwan KMT
Dadao in the Sino-Japanese War Museum
As you can see, due to local community production, there are many different shapes.
