The Dragon's Tooth: In Search of the Legendary Swords of Longquan
For over 2,500 years, the name Longquan—"Dragon Well"—has been synonymous with the finest swords in China. This is not a place of mass production; it is a town where the art of the blade is a revered, almost spiritual, tradition passed down from master to apprentice. A visit here is a journey into a world of fire, steel, and legendary craftsmanship.
You can visit the workshops of modern masters who still use ancient techniques. You'll hear the rhythmic ring of the hammer on the anvil, feel the intense heat of the forge, and watch as a smith expertly folds and hammers a bar of steel, again and again, to create the blade's strength and its beautiful, watery pattern. You'll learn that the sword is seen not just as a weapon, but as a work of art, a "gentleman's accessory" imbued with balance and spirit.
Insider Tip:
A genuine, full-sized, handmade Longquan sword is a serious and expensive purchase that can be complicated to take home. For a more accessible and equally beautiful souvenir, look for the exquisite, miniature letter-opener versions of the swords. They are often made with the same painstaking attention to detail and blade-folding techniques as their larger counterparts.
