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Hello everyone, today I want to take you to explore a story rich in history. This is a story about the Qianlong Emperor and his collection of precious weapons. During the Qianlong Dynasty, China's feudal centralization reached its peak, and the Qianlong Emperor himself was a highly revered martial arts legend. His 60-year reign, combined with his abdication as Emperor Taishang, made him the longest-reigning emperor in Chinese history. Not only that, he was also famous for his superb martial arts, leaving behind many heirloom swords and waist swords.
During a recent visit, I had the privilege of witnessing the "Chongwei Yaode - Palace Museum Collection Qing Palace Armed Forces Exhibition" jointly organized by the Palace Museum and Guardian Art Center. This exhibition brings together many weapons presented to the Qianlong Emperor by foreign envoys and vassal states, several of which are very unique in shape, production, inscription, and historical significance.
First, let's take a look at two eye-catching scimitars, whose official names are "Iron Hammer Flower Handle Satin Sheath Fangenus Knife" and "Iron-handled Velvet Sheath Fan Knife". The two knives are between 92 and 98 cm long, but the most striking feature is that their iron handles are unusually short, suitable only for three fingers, and the other two fingers require a cruciform gauntlet to use. The records on these swords on the sticks come from the Gurkhas, who invaded Tibet during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor, and Qianlong personally led his army to drive out this invasion, which is also considered to be the last battle of Qianlong's ten martial arts. And after this victory, the Gurkhas presented these two knives to the Qianlong Emperor as gifts, and this historical detail makes these two knives particularly fascinating.
Next, let's look at an unusual knife, which is called the "cloud head knife". The head of this knife is wider than the blade, curved shape, and the overall appearance is like a cloud head, hence the name "cloud head knife". Usually, this knife is used for sacrifices, and Nepalis often use it to slaughter cattle during sacrificial ceremonies, and legend has it that warriors can cut off the head of a cow with a single sword. Since the head and back of the knife are very heavy, this knife needs to be held in both hands and is not suitable for combat.
Next, we will explore a group of Nepalese dog-legged machetes that are known worldwide for their unique design and functionality. The dog-legged knife has a heavy head and a thick back and a thin blade, allowing the user's power to be concentrated on the front of the knife, which is very suitable for chopping and opening the road. The knives come in different sizes and styles, but the most striking is a large dog-legged scimitar with an ivory handle, sharing a scabbard with four other small knives, demonstrating the ingenuity and level of craftsmanship of Gurkha craftsmen.
Another striking knife is the "Plunge Knife", whose design was influenced by Indian weapons and thus looks very similar to the Qatar. The knife also came from the Gurkhas and was a precious gift they gave to the Qianlong Emperor. The leather sticks attached to the blade are engraved with the date of December 25, the 60th year of Qianlong, and the name of the giver. These different styles of weapons show significant differences between Nepal and China in the manufacture of weapons at the time.
In addition to Nepalese weapons, weapons paid tribute by other countries are also displayed in the exhibition. One of the swords from Iran, titled "Silver Gilt Handle Velvet Sheath Xizhu Waist Knife", has Persian characters engraved on the body, indicating that it was the work of a famous swordsmith in Isfahan. The sword may have originally come from the Mughal Empire in India, and was later presented to the Qianlong Emperor by the Panchen Emperor as part of his collection.
In addition, there are various weapons such as swords from the Ryukyu Kingdom, swords from Japan, and swords from Tsarist Russia. Each weapon has its own unique historical background and craftsmanship, reflecting the international cultural exchanges and diplomatic relations at that time.
Finally, let us recall this history that these precious weapons represent more than friendship between nations
Department, also demonstrates the exchange and influence between different cultures. These weapons are not only impressive, but also provide valuable historical information about the Qianlong era.
In this exhibition, we can see the Qianlong Emperor's respect and appreciation for the cultures of different countries. He was not only an outstanding politician and ruler, but also a lover of culture. By collecting these precious weapons, he demonstrated his interest and respect for cultures around the world.
These weapons also reflect the exquisite craftsmanship of weapon manufacturing at the time. Whether it's a scimitar from Nepal or a sword from Iran, they showcase the craftsmanship and attention to detail of the time. These weapons are not only outstanding military tools, but also models of art and crafts.
Finally, this exhibition provides us with an opportunity to peek into history and gain a deeper understanding of Qianlong-era China. This period has a special place in Chinese history, and these weapons are witnesses and symbols of this history. I hope that everyone will have the opportunity to visit the "Chongwei Yaode - Palace Museum Collection Qing Palace Armed Forces Exhibition" and personally feel the historical and cultural value carried by these precious cultural relics.
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