Editing Jian (section)

{{short description|Chinese double-edged sword}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Italic title|reason=[[:Category:Chinese words and phrases]]}}
{{Chinese
|title=''Jian''
|pic=Sword with Scabbard MET DP119025 brightened 2x3.jpg
|caption=Single-handed ''jian'' and scabbard of the 18th–19th century
|t=[[wikt:劍|劍]]
|s=[[wikt:剑|剑]]
|p=jiàn
|w=chien<sup>4</sup>
|j=gim3
}}

The '''''jian''''' (<small>Mandarin Chinese:</small> {{IPAc-cmn|j|ian|4}}, {{zh|c=劍}}, <small>English approximation:</small> {{IPAc-en|dʒ|j|ɛ|n}} {{respell|jyehn}}, <small>Cantonese:</small> {{IPAc-yue|g|im|3}}) is a double-edged straight [[sword]] used during the last 2,500 years in China. The first Chinese sources that mention the ''jian'' date to the 7th century BCE, during the [[Spring and Autumn period]],{{sfn|Ebrey|1999|p=41}} one of the earliest specimens being the [[Sword of Goujian]]. Historical one-handed versions have blades varying from {{convert|45|to|80|cm|in|abbr=off|sp=us}} in length. The weight of an average sword of {{convert|70|cm|in|abbr=off|adj=on}} blade-length would be approximately 700 to 900&nbsp;grams (1.5 to 2 pounds).<ref>Rodell 2003, p. 19</ref> There are also larger two-handed versions used for training by many styles of [[Chinese martial arts]].

Professional ''jian'' practitioners are referred to as '''''jianke''''' ({{zh|c=劍客|p=jiànkè|l=sword guests}} or "swordsmen"; a term dating from the [[Han dynasty]]).{{sfn|Lorge|2011|p=69}}

In Chinese folklore, the ''jian'' is known as "'''The Gentleman of Weapons'''" and is considered one of the four major weapons, along with the ''[[Gun (staff)|gun]]'' (staff), ''[[Qiang (spear)|qiang]]'' (spear), and the ''[[Dao (Chinese sword)|dao]]'' (sabre). These swords are also sometimes referred to as ''[[taijijian]]'' or "[[tai chi]] swords", reflecting their current use as training weapons for tai chi practitioners, though there were no historical jian types created specifically for tai chi.{{sfn|Rodell|2003|p=20}}