I have heard that the Imperial Chinese believed it took "100 days to master a spear, 1000 days to master a dao, and 10,000 days to master a two-sided sword." How realistic is this?

by Vladith

Do we know how long Imperial Chinese martial training took? What sorts of exercises or drills would be practiced?

Dazzius

Follow-up question, sort of : What do they mean by double-sided sword? Double-edged or a handle with a blade on both the top and the bottom?

darthturtle3

There seems to be some confusion as to what a "two-sided sword" is. For clarification, the original Chinese saying refers to the jian (劍), a double-edged sword, much like a knightly arming sword.