An array of ancient weapons introducing visitors to more than 150 specimens of white arms (weapons which do not use explosive materials) from around the world is currently on display at the Zhongshan Public Assembly Hall (中山公民會館) in Taipei.
The exhibition consists of the personal collection of Kaohsiung Ancient Weaponry Association senior counselor Chi Te-jung (紀德榮), an ancient weapons aficionado and collector.
Weapons are prime examples of different civilizations’ technical proficiency and artistic mastery, he said, adding that he has collected more than 150 armaments over the span of his career.
Chi has been an ancient arms dealer for 30 years, but at first he did not pay much attention to the artistic value and historic meaning of each piece until his exchanges with arms collectors taught him to appreciate the unique life of every weapon, he said.
His knowledge of weaponry has grown along with his collection, and he can recount the story of every article in his collection, including the way a sword was ground and sharpened, a blade’s steel texture and craftsmen’s fine workmanship, he said.
“There are countless treasures in my collection,” he said.
Bearing a sidearm was universally seen in ancient civilizations as a status symbol, and swords were commonly gifted as a token of friendship, with some weapons as refined and delicate as any work of art, he said.
Weapons can be seen as the exemplification of an era’s aesthetics, even being introduced as parts of poetry and lyrics, he said.
The exhibition, which runs until tomorrow, showcases about 150 swords and knives from all periods of all civilizations, including European foils from the 17th to 18th centuries and sabers from the 19th century, as well as ancient Chinese swords and Japanese samurai swords, he said.
Swords by modern Chinese master craftsmen such as Shen Guang-long (沈廣隆) and Liu Wen-tao (劉文濤) are also on display, Chi said.
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