The jian is a double-edged sword that comes from a family of small ancient arms dating back to the time of the Shang Dynasty, over 4,000 years ago. It is known as the “gentleman of a hundred soldiers.” Like many swords in Western culture, the jian is ornamental, combining both elegance and lethal power.
In ancient China, men from the emperor down to the artisans would carry a jian, and the exquisiteness of the sword in Chinese society was an indication of rank.
