Ou Yezi
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Ou Yezi () was a legendary master of sword-making in the Spring and Autumn period. According to '' Yuejueshu'', he forged five treasured swords for Gan Jiang and King Zhao of Chu, named, respectively, ''Zhanlu'' (湛卢), ''Juque'' (巨阙), ''Shengxie'' (胜邪), ''Yuchang'' (鱼肠) and ''Chunjun'' (纯钧). He also made three swords for
King Goujian of Yue Goujian () (reigned 496–465 BC) was the king of the Kingdom of Yue (越國, present-day northern Zhejiang) near the end of the Spring and Autumn period (春秋). He was the son of Marquis Yunchang. Goujian's reign coincided with arguably th ...
, named ''Longyuan'' (龙渊), ''Tai’e'' (泰阿) and ''Gongbu'' (工布).


Teacher of Gan Jiang

According to the '' Spring and Autumn Annals of Wu and Yue'', Ou Yezi was the master teacher of Gan Jiang (Birrell 1993, 221-227 and 303).


Swords made by Ou Yezi

*(纯钧, 纯钩, or 淳钧) Chúnjūn, Chúngōu, or Chúnjūn (Purity) - Its patterns resembled a row of stars in a constellation. *(湛卢) Zhànlú/Pilü (Black) - A sword made from the finest of the Five Metals and imbued with the essence of Fire. Said to be sensitive to its owner's behaviour, it left of its own accord for the state of Chu when Helü's conduct offended it. When Helü became aware of King Zhao of Chu's possession of Zhanlu, he attacked Chu. *Haocao/Panying (Bravery/Hard) - Said to have been imbued with the aspect of lawlessness and was therefore of no use to anyone. It was used as a burial object. *(鱼肠) Yúcháng (Fish Intestines) - A short dagger said to be capable of cleaving through iron as if it were mud. Used by Helü of Wu to assassinate his uncle,
Liao of Wu Liao, King of Wu (; died 515 BC), also named Zhouyu, was king of the state of Wu in the Spring and Autumn period. Biography Liao was the grandson of King Shoumeng. He took the throne in 526 BC. During his time as king he led several battles again ...
. It was hidden in a cooked fish presented to King Liao at a banquet. As a result of the assassination, the blade gained a reputation for causing its user to be disloyal. *(巨阙) Jùquē (Great Destroyer) - Said to be incredibly durable, being able to withstand even hitting or stabbing rock. *(胜邪) Shèngxié (Victor over Evil)


Swords made with Gan Jiang

*(龙渊) Lóngyuān (Dragon Gulf) - Its shape resembled that of a high mountain and a deep gulf. Goujian used it to cut a gash in his thigh as an act of self punishment when he mistakenly executed an innocent person. *(泰阿) Tàiā (Great Riverbank) - It had patterns like the waves of a flowing river. Tai'a was used by the king of Chu to direct his army against a Jin invasion. *(工布) Gōngbù (Artisanal Display) - Gongbu patterns like flowing water that stop like pearls at the spine.


See also

*
Sword of Goujian The Sword of Goujian ( zh, c=越王勾践剑, p=Yuèwáng Gōujiàn jiàn, links=no) is a tin bronze sword, renowned for its unusual sharpness, intricate design and resistance to tarnish rarely seen in artifacts of similar age. The sword is ge ...
*
Weapons and armor in Chinese mythology Legendary weapons, arms, and armor are important motifs in Chinese mythology as well as Chinese legend, cultural symbology, and fiction. Weapons featured in Chinese mythology, legend, cultural symbology, and fiction include Guanyu's pole weapo ...


Citations


References

* Birrell, Anne (1993). ''Chinese Mythology''. (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins). * Zhou dynasty people Swordsmiths Chinese swords {{China-bio-stub