Forging technique of Longquan sword

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: Longquan sword forging skills

Applicant: Longquan City, Zhejiang Province

Item No.: 387

Project No.: VIII - 37

Time of publication: 2006 (the first batch)

Category: traditional art

Region: Zhejiang Province

Type: new item

Applicant: Longquan City, Zhejiang Province

Protection unit: Longquan Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center

Brief introduction of Longquan sword forging technique:

Applicant: Longquan City, Zhejiang Province

Longquan sword is not only the representative of ancient Chinese weapons, but also a famous traditional handicraft in China. It has a history of more than 2500 years. It is said that at the end of the spring and Autumn period, Ou Yezi, a master of sword casting in the state of Yue, cast three famous swords, Longyuan, tai'a and Gongbu, in Qinxi mountain of Longquan. He took Longyuan as his hometown name, and his skills were handed down. Later, because of avoiding Li Yuan, the great ancestor of Tang Dynasty, he replaced yuan with Quan, and Longyuan was renamed Longquan. Now Longquan in Zhejiang Province is famous for its sword production.

Longquan is rich in iron ore, bright stone for sharpening sword and palm wood for scabbard. Qinxi mountain spring can quench sword, and dense forest can provide sufficient charcoal fuel.

Longquan sword is famous for its sharp edge, cold light, combination of hardness and softness, and exquisite decoration. Its material selection is exquisite. It has the saying of "three catties of iron and half catties of steel". The forging heat is properly controlled, the composition is uniform, and the pattern is fresh. The quenching method is also unique, and the grinding is very particular. The forging technique of Longquan sword contains rich cultural connotation, which plays an important role in the history of Chinese weapons, metallurgy and art. Longquan sword is not only fitness martial arts equipment and stage props, but also a national gift for foreign guests, which is cherished by people at home and abroad and sword lovers.

However, today's sword forging technology has been completely modernized, which has caused a huge impact on the traditional skills. The business strategy of pursuing the economic benefits of production and marketing has affected the quality of the sword, and the environment of the sword forging place has also been damaged. As a result, Longquan sword forging technique is in an endangered state, which is in urgent need of rescue and protection.