Wodao

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The wodao (倭刀, literally "sword/knife of the wo people") is a Chinese sword from the Ming Dynasty. Apparently influenced by Japanese sword design, it bears a strong resemblance to a Tachi or Odachi in form: extant examples show a handle approximately 25 cm long, with a gently curved blade 80 cm long.

During the period of raiding by Japanese pirates, two factors contributed mostly to the successes of the generals of the Ming dynasty, in particular Qi Jiguang in thwarting the invaders. The wodao was quite frankly the latter of these factors, as the Japanese ronin, at the time, favouring close combat above all else, were faced with a considerable dilemma when faced against the long spears and pikes of the Ming cavalry and infantry, where as the wodao, being quite literally a modified version of the katana became standard issue for officers during the struggle. It would be later quickly replaced by the piandao during the late Ming dynasty.

It is a common misconception that the wodao was manufactured as a result of the inferiority of Chinese weaponry at the time when placed against that of the Japanese ronin. In reality, the battles were quite one-sided.