The Goujian sword is almost 56 centimeters long and weighs 875 grams. It is known for its dark rhombic patterns, decorated in blue and turquoise crystals. (Photo : Wikimedia)
The Sword of Goujian, discovered by archaeologists in 1965, is a legendary weapon from the Spring and Autumn Period (771-403 B.C.), a time when swords were prized, according to historical records, as reported by Shanghai Daily.
The Goujian is almost 56 centimeters long and weighs 875 grams. It is known for its dark rhombic patterns, decorated in blue and turquoise crystals.
The royal ownership of the sword is noted by the engravings on its blade.
The sword is currently housed in the Hubei Provincial Museum.
The scarcity of metals and lack of experienced blacksmiths made swords of distinction during this period of history into the stuff of legends. The most distinguished swords of this period were made by two famous swordsmiths, Ou Yezi and Gan Jiang, who are believed to have learned under the same master.
Ou Yezi, one of the two swordsmiths who often appears in ancient texts, is said to have forged legendary swords for various kings, including Goujian, the king of Yue, today's northern Zhejiang Province. This is one of the prominent theories for the origin of the Sword of Goujian.
Ou is also known for making Long Yuan, or "crouching dragon," a sword commission by a king who wanted him to make the best sword in the world.
To meet the king's demand, he searched the country for a good source of iron and found it in what is today known as Longquan in Zhejiang. Ou is recorded to have forged three swords in Longquan.
Ou's skills when it comes to forging are still celebrated today in Longquan, which has become renowned in China for making swords for martial artists and those used in films.
Gan, the other renowned swordsmith, together with his wife Mo Ye, was a master of forging swords. The couple produced a pair of swords for the king, who was notorious for killing craftsmen after they presented him with a sword so that there could be no similar rival.
Gan anticipated this fate, so he left the second sword at home, so that his son could avenge him years later.
In honor of their memory, the two swords were named after the couple.
According to a few ancient texts, the swords were later buried in what is now Fujian Province. Mogan Mountain, the popular resort in Zhejiang Province, was also named after the couple, who are said to have worked in the region.
