The
jian (;
Cantonese: Gim) 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; one of the earliest specimens being the
Sword of Goujian. Historical one-handed versions have blades varying from in length. The weight of an average sword of blade-length would be in a range of approximately 700 to 900 grams (1.5 to 2 pounds). 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 or "swordsmen", a term dating from the
Han dynasty.