Dimensions: Overall length: 56cm; width: 4.5cm

Origin: unearthed at Heshanmiao, Yiyang in 1977

The sword is a short weapon. It was worn on the body to both show one’s identity and to defend onself. The sword hilt-end is missing and the two hoops on the firm body are also lost. The pommel is shaped like the Chinese character “凹” and the two sides of the front of the pommel are respectively inscribed with the Chinese characters “戉王州句”(King Zhou Gou of Yue) and “自乍用剑”. There are altogether 16 characters in bird script cut in relief. King Zhou Gou of Yue was the son of Bu Shou and the great-grandson of Gou Jian. The Records of the Grand Historian say, “Bu Shou was killed in the tenth year of his reign and succeeded first by Mang Gu and then by Zhu Gou.” And the book says further, “Zhu Gou conquered the State of Teng in the 34th year of his reign and the State of Yan in the 35th year of his reign. He died in the 37th year of his reign.” Waterways Classic: Commentary on the Yi River quotes from Records from the Bamboo Scripts: “In the fourth year of Duke Lie of the Jin State, King Zhu Gou of the Yue State conquered the State of Yan and returned triumphantly with the captured King Gu of the Yan State.” Zhu Gou ruled for 37 years (448B.C. – 412B.C.). So far ten bronze swords with the inscription “戉王州句” have been discovered. This one is slightly different from the others in the shape of the characters. This sword was unearthed from the Yiyang area maybe was booty for the Chu.