Items · Melee Weapons · Non-Magical
Wei-Jai Broadsword
The Wei-Jai were carried by Chinese soldiers during the anti-piracy campaign in the mid sixteenth century. Chinese sword blades were inferior to the Japanese blades, so there was a period when the Chinese government purchased Japanese made blades fashioned in the Chinese design.
Full Item Description
The blade is 27.5' long, with 20.5' being the blade. This weapon is a hybrid of Chinese and Japanese styles. The blade is long, thin, and slightly curved. The guard is a simple oval with an intricate dragon pattern embossed upoin it. The handle is metal. The scabard is of Japanese design, but with Chinese decorations.
History
The Wei-Jai were carried by Chinese soldiers during the anti-piracy campaign in the mid sixteenth century. Chinese sword blades were inferior to the Japanese blades, so there was a period when the Chinese government purchased Japanese made blades fashioned in the Chinese design.
These weapons have a clearly Japanese blade in make and style (thin, tapered and slighlty curved) mounted in Chinese fittings. The blades were made in Japan and mounted and fitted in China. Most of the blades have a set of unknown characters stamped upon the blades.
Magic/Cursed Properties
None
Additional Information
It is said several famous masters developed a form of Chinese swordplay based upon these weapons.
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- Interesting Weapons- Non-Magic by Michael Jotne Slayer Bound
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- Interesting Weapons- Non-Magic Michael Jotne Slayer linked by MoonHunter
So what is your opinion on eastern swords being superior to western swords? I read a huge thread at rpgnet.com about the false outlook on japanese swords, mainly the katana, toward the western swords of Europe and France.
I realise this isn't a thread discussion but I was curious.
Asian Swords are not, generally speaking, 'better' than Western Swords. Chinese weapons were of the same level of quality as most Western Swords. They were produced in large numbers with a minimum of artistic flair, (which in China (and most of Asia) the minimum artstic level is still much higher than Europe). Europeans were mostly utilitarian in weapondry.
The only place where 'better' could of occured was Japan. Katanas have a better edge, but a lower rockwell hardness, are lighter and more flexible, but prone to breakage. They work really well against targets that do not have metal armor. They would be somewhat pointless against someone in full plate, as they could only convert kinentic and might even break against European Steel (plate or blade). Though if the Katana wielder is highly skilled, he might be able to snake the blade into non-mailed crease. (Of course the blade will probably be bound by the motion there). Katantas are designed to be most efficient against their targets: people in little to no armor.
Most people seem to confuse Katana vs Western Swords, when they really should be comparing Samurai vs Knight, or a martial artist vs a western warrior.
Aside: Though, I have seen Kendo practioners go against a SCA Sword and Shield men, and be ineffectual. Kendo has no counter to a simple shield. I have seen a Kenjitsu expert do the same and fare little better (he did a wheel kick to move the shield and both scored simultaneous hits, the other exchanges were similar). Kendo vs Fencing usually scores off to the Epee and Saber user (foil users lose with clockwork regularity). However, a samurai has more tools in his arsenal than those of us who are doing sport.
A useful weapon.
Rather involved and interesting commentary on a fairly simple submission.
Simple things can be complicated if you spin some details into them. In truth most games would end the discussion at 1d8 damage. Yet by adding details, historical or otherwise, it changes a simple utilitarian entry into something that explains part of the world.
I want one of these swords. :)
The best part of this is that it seemed to pull in thoughtful and informed commentary. At to the post, even in 2007 this post wouldn't be up to snuff.