View source for Nandao

{{Short description|Chinese sword made for wushu competition}}

{{Italic title|reason=[[:Category:Chinese words and phrases]]}}

{{Infobox martial art|name=Nandao|aka=Southern Broadsword <br>
Southern Sabre|focus=Weapon striking, kicking, jumping|creator=[[Chinese Wushu Association]]|origin={{CHN}}|formation=1992|parenthood=[[Dao (Chinese sword)|Daoshu]], [[Nanquan (martial art)|Nanquan]], other Southern Chinese Martial Arts|related arts=[[Nanquan (martial art)|Nanquan]], [[Nangun]]|olympic=[[Wushu (sport)|Wushu Taolu]]|image=Leung cheuk hei Nandao.jpg|imagecaption=Leung Cheuk Hei wielding a ''nandao''}}
{{Chinese
| size = 200
| c = 南刀
| p = nándāo
| ci = {{IPA|yue|nȁːmtóu|}}
| j = naam4 dou1
| l = southern broadsword
}}

A '''''Nandao''''' ({{Zh|c=南刀|p=Nán dāo}}) is a kind of ''[[Dao (Chinese sword)|dao]]'', or single-edged sword, that is used in contemporary [[wushu (sport)|wushu taolu]].'''''<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://kaleidoscope.cultural-china.com/en/177Kaleidoscope5673.html|title = Nandao|date = |accessdate = |website = Cultural China|publisher = cultural-china.com|last = |first = |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304195718/http://kaleidoscope.cultural-china.com/en/177Kaleidoscope5673.html|archive-date = 2016-03-04|url-status = dead}}</ref>''''' Ratified for use by the [[International Wushu Federation]] in 1992, it has gained widespread popularity worldwide and has become one of the main events at wushu competitions.

== History ==

=== Creation ===
In the 1980s with the development of modern wushu taolu, professors of the [[Chinese Wushu Association]] wanted to find a sword or short weapon that would compliment the empty-hand style of [[Nanquan (martial art)|nanquan]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Ching |first=Gene |last2=Oh |first2=Gigi |date=2013 |title=The Southern Sword of Wushu |url=https://www.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=1087 |access-date=2024-09-24 |work=[[Kung Fu Magazine]]}}</ref> Among the candidates for consideration were the nine-ring sword, the [[butterfly sword]], the [[Dadao (sword)|dadao]], and the Ghost-head sword, but they were all deemed impractical. During the construction of a compulsory [[nangun]] routine, professor Wang Peikun met with Zhou Susheng, coach of the [[Guangxi]] Wushu Team to discuss the creation of a new type of sword, the nandao. They found a sword-maker to create prototype nandao sword which were given to the coaches.<ref name=":0" />

Wang and Zhou discussed creating a routine for nandao. After meeting with [[Beijing Wushu Team]] coach Xue Yi and [[Hubei]] Wushu Team coach Yuan Linlin, Beijing team members Ka Li Abdul and Xu Yi were tasked to draft a routine.<ref name=":0" /> After revisions and practice of the new techniques, a demonstration video of the first compulsory routine was filmed with Ka Li as the performer.

=== Spread and international use ===
In 1992, the [[International Wushu Federation]] ratified the use of nandao (along with nangun) in international competition.<ref name=":0" /> Nandao made its elite-level debut at the [[1999 World Wushu Championships]] in Hong Kong where [[Ho Ro Bin]] and Huang Chunni were the first world champions in the event. In 2000, nandao debuted at the [[Asian Wushu Championships]], in 2001 at the [[SEA Games]], and in 2002 at the [[Asian Games]]. Starting with the [[2008 Beijing Wushu Tournament]], nandao in some major multi-sport events started to be only contested by women due to limits in medals quota.<ref>{{Cite web |title=C14AM_Two Events Combined Results_Women's Nanquan & Nandao |url=http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/BCK/WS/83432.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919111556/http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/BCK/WS/83432.shtml |archive-date=2008-09-19 |access-date=2021-02-25 |website=The official website of the BEIJING 2008 Olympic Games}}</ref>

From 1999 to 2004, nandao events in international competitions used the first compulsory routine performed by Ka Li in 1992. With the 2005 IWUF rules revision, the three-score system was introduced and athletes were required to choreograph their own optional routines. In 2012, a new nandao compulsory routine was created as part of the IWUF Third Set of Compulsory Routines. This routine has been only used at the [[World Junior Wushu Championships]] since 2013 and at other junior-level competitions worldwide but not at the adult level.

== Scoring and rules ==

=== Apparatus ===
Nandao swords have a blade the shape of a butterfly sword but longer, an s-guard with allows a reverse grip, and handle length to accommodate single and double wielding grip.<ref name=":0" /> In the most recent IWUF rules revision for international competition, the top of the nandao blade should be no shorter than a competitor's jaw if being held with the left hand close to the body.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2024-09-14 |title=Wushu Taolu Competition Rules and Judging Methods (2024) |url=https://www.iwuf.org/xhimg/soft/240912/WUSHU-TAOLU-COMPETITION-RULES-AND-JUDGING-METHODS-2024.pdf |access-date=2024-09-24 |website=[[International Wushu Federation]]}}</ref>

=== Routines ===
As of the 2024 IWUF rules, nandao routines must be between 1 minute 20 seconds to 1 minute 35 seconds in length.<ref name=":1" /> Nandao routines are also required to have the following techniques:<ref name=":1" />

==== Sword techniques ====

* Chán Tóu (缠头) — Broadsword twining
* Guǒ Nǎo (裹脑) — Wrapping with the Broadsword
* Pī Dāo (劈刀) — Broadsword Chop
* Mǒ Dāo (抹刀) — Broadsword Slicing
* Gé Dāo (格刀) — Broadsword Parry
* Jié Dāo (截刀) — Broadsword Intercept
* Sǎo Dāo (扫刀) — Broadsword Sweeping
* Jiǎn Wàn Huā Dāo ( 剪腕花刀) — Broadsword Figure 8

==== Stances ====

* Gōng Bù (弓步) — Bow Stance
* Mǎ Bù (马步) — [[Horse Stance]]
* Pū Bù (仆步) — Crouching Stance
* Xū Bù (虚步) — Empty Stance
* Dié Bù (蝶步) — Butterfly Stance
* Qí Lóng Bù (骑龙步) — Dragon Riding Stance

==== Footwork ====

* Qílín Bù (麒麟步) — Kirin steps

==== Leg technique ====

* Héng Dīng Tuǐ (横钉腿) — Horizontal nail kick

=== Scoring criteria ===
Nandao adheres to the same deduction content (A score) and degree of difficulty content and connections (C score) as nanquan and nangun.<ref name=":1" /> This three-score system has been in place since the 2005 IWUF rules revision. Only the techniques Chán Tóu (缠头) and Guǒ Nǎo (裹脑) have deduction content (code 62).

== References ==
{{Reflist}}{{Wushu (sport)}}{{Chinese weapons}}{{Footer World Champions Men's Nandao}}{{Footer World Champions Women's Nandao}}
[[Category:Chinese martial arts terminology]]
[[Category:Chinese swords]]


[[Category:Events in wushu]]
[[Category:1992 introductions]]