With a history of over 2,500 years, Longquan Swords are the most typical ancient weapons of China and the country’s famous traditional handicrafts. The swords are produced in Longquan County of Zhejiang Province, hence the name “Longquan Swords”. The swords made in Longquan are “exquisite beyond compare” and “cut bonze like mud”. The age-old and superb sword forging techniques of Longquan have been included in the national list of intangible cultural heritage.

Longquan area is rich in raw materials for sword making, including itabirite ore, polishing stone and plenty of charcoal fuel etc. The making of a sword goes through a total of 28 procedures that include tempering, forging, smoothing, carving, embedding and polishing etc. In the long history of sword making, generations of workmen kept striving for perfection, bringing four major traditional features to the swords, which are their toughness and sharpness; strength and softness; intimidating glittering light like frost and snow; exquisite ornamentation. Meanwhile, special attention has been paid to the material selection and the duration and degree of forging to ensure the composition homogeneity and clear motifs. And the quenching and grinding methods are also special.

The sword forging techniques of Longquan contain profound cultural richness and hold an important position in Chinese weaponry, metallurgy and art histories. The Longquan Sword is not only a martial arts apparatus or a prop on the screen or stage, but also a delicate handicraft, enjoying a good reputation at home and abroad. Overseas Chinese in southeast Asian countries like to hang the sword on the wall or at bed head for decoration and warding off the evil at the same time.