Daring way of the sword and warriors of the ancient world
Way of the Sword – Warrior Traditions in China and Italy
Chinese and Italian Sword Heritage and Culture
Way of the Sword presented through 3 experts
Way of the Sword: Warrior Traditions in China and Italy at Tai Kwun explores the parallel development of the sword and swordsmanship through the eyes of three expert curators.
Mask
The first curator, Hing Chao, is a leading researcher and advocate for traditional Chinese martial arts in Hong Kong.
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Chao is an internationally recognized writer, curator, organizer and producer for a wide range of martial arts related cultural contents, including books, museum exhibitions, festivals and cultural performances.
Cult of St Michael and Rise of the Christian Warrior
The second curator is Roberto Gotti, an expert in reviving Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) and in reviving the martial arts disciplines described in Achille Marozzo’s sixteenth century book Opera Nova.
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The third curator is Jeffrey Shaw, who is regarded as one of the leading exponents of computer art and is currently a professor at City University of Hong Kong.
Figurine of St. Michael, 8th Century Gilt Bronze
In the late 1960s, Shaw pioneered participatory, interactive, and computer-controlled forms of media art.
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This exhibit traces sword culture through classical, mediaeval and early modern history using historical objects, century old manuscripts, photographs, original art and mixed media so that both the uninitiated and expert can admire the warrior way of the sword.
Stone relief of Christian Crusader and Warrior
Way of the Sword: Warrior Traditions in China and Italy begins with the earliest representations of the sword, which appeared as petroglyphs. These were rock carvings made by incising directly on the rock surface using a stone chisel and a hammer stone.
Rock carving with man and sword
When the surface of the rock is scrapped off, the lighter rock underneath is exposed, creating the petroglyph.
Earliest representations of swords appeared on petroglyphs
The petroglyphs on display were found at Val Camonica, one of the largest valleys of the central Alps in the province of Lombardy, Italy.
Way of the Sword: Warrior Traditions in China and Italy exhibition
Val Camonica contains over 100,000 rock carvings of warriors and different types of weaponry.
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This section of the exhibit includes petroglyphs, stone rubbings and photographs, as well as descriptive commentaries of each display.
Statue of a Roman gladiator
The next part of the exhibit presents backdrops painted either red for China or blue for Italy. With this helpful colour coding, you can navigate stories of how the two sword cultures developed.
Warrior Traditions in Italy
On display are ancient swords, replicas, photographs, scrolls and contemporary paintings, alongside timelines and helpful descriptions that create a narrative theme for both cultures.
Manuscript on paper, 1620-1640, Anonymous
The two sword cultures cross-pollinated during the Han dynasty and the Italian Renaissance, at which time the Hans were allies with the Longobards as they migrated from Scandinavia to Italy.
Old manuscripts provide detailed instructions
The exhibition presents how warriors were trained in mediaeval times. Centuries-old manuscripts provide detailed instructions on martial arts.
Avar Straight Edge Sabre, 7th – 9th century, Steel
The most important Italian manuscript is Achille Marozzo’s Opera Nova, published in 1528. This Renaissance era document presents a comprehensive system for training and fighting with swords.
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The manuscript is presented with a Linear Navigator, an interactive media machine that provides a virtual reality experience.
Bronze Dagger, North Italy, 1800-1500 BC
It consists of a widescreen monitor on rails that reveals images and videos as the viewer moves the monitor horizontally.
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The novelty (and flawless implementation) of this interface encourages even novices to learn from the Opera Nova.
Left: Carved grip of sword with figures, Middle: Hilt and upper blade of a sword, Right Basket-hilted sword, Italy, 17th – 18th century
The disciplined instructions detailed in the manuscripts make apparent that sword culture became much more than just an essential for war for both the Chinese and Italians.
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In both cultures it came to be an indicator of status and prestige and as a means to promote national pride.
Ming Dynasty fencing & sword-fighting techniques
This continues today as evidenced by growing interest in sports like HEMA and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and by exhibits like this one.
Qing Sabre with Shark Skin Scabbard Decorated with Dragon, 18th Century, Iron, Gold, Wood
After the display in the main hall, the exhibit moves upstairs where large-scale photography and collages by local photographer Almond Chu are presented.
Qing Sabre decorated with Dragons in open work and Damascened, 18th Century, Iron, Gold, Wood
There is a beautiful video of the recreation of a seventeenth century weapon using only traditional tools and methods.
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Below the video monitor is the sword created in 2019 alongside the original one dating back to 1620-1630.
Engraving showing Italian Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci on the left and his prominent Chinese convert Xu Guangqi
There are additional mixed media installations of which my favourite is a video game that allows you to practice your sword swing with a life-sized virtual reality opponent.
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The exhibit continues at a second Tai Kwun location, the ground floor of Block 14, which were prisoner cells.
Photography and collage by Almond Chu
The cells have been repurposed as mini-theatres for video presentations of Italian sword handling skills.
The sword may be an obsolete weapon yet, it still holds a romantic fascination
Enormous passion, care and attention to detail are provided in this exhibit. The show is a thoroughly entertaining education on sword culture presented by experts who want to share their love of swordsmanship.
Ink artwork depicting legendary Chinese assassin
It is impossible to overstate the accomplishments of the curators. They have successfully pulled in world class talents like photographer Almond Chu, ink art painters Lin Haizhong, Zheng Li and Lee Chi Ching.
Lady Yues’s Sword Discourse, ink on paper, Zheng Li
They also successfully commissioned original animations, motion captures, documentary films and multimedia to create an enlightening experience.
Related Chinese paintings by prolific artist: Wu Guanzhong
The sword cultures of China and Italy are converging on a single path as the leading scholars and masters from these countries start working together to build a common future for the cultural legacy and contemporary development of historical fencing and martial arts.
Ming Dynasty’s sword & sword-fighting legacy
Although the sword is an obsolete weapon, it still holds a romantic passion and fascination in our society today.
Text Martin Wray & Photo Cammy Yiu
