Hi there,

I am an Australian currently in China trying to put together a research proposal for PhD work on Chinese military history. I am hoping someone can help me with a few queries I have regarding use of the broadsword (da dao) by Chinese forces during WWII.

1. Firstly, does anybody know if has anything been published regarding the military use of the 'dadao' 大刀 during the 1900's (i.e. war against Japan, communist/nationalist struggles). If so, would you be kind enough to pass along any bibliographical details you have. Anything you have regarding primary sources would also be of great benefit.

2. Also anything people know about the Japanese military swords during the same period would also be great.

Thank you any help you can provide would be extremely appreciated.

Regards,

Douglas Eacersall....

Richard Stein's site:

http://home.earthlink.net/~steinrl/nihonto.htm

has a fair amount of information that can jump-start your search for more. Check the bibliography in particular--it mentions one or two books that are currently regarded as the standard reference work for Japanese military swords in the Showa era (or even earlier up to the Meiji reforms).