汉式铁剑综论

A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF THE HAN STYLE OF IRON SWORD

考古学界一般将汉代中原地区的器物称为汉式器,所谓汉式铁剑,即指两汉时期中原地区流行的铁剑。以前林寿晋先生在研究东周时期的中原铜剑时,提出了"东周式铜剑"的概念。汉式铁剑与东周式铜剑的流行时间相承接,流行地域大体重合而有所扩大。本文拟以考古发现的大量实物为主要依据,从型式、外装、渊源、应用和制造技术诸方面,对汉式铁剑进行综合分析。首先需要说明的是,两汉时期,随着汉王朝疆域和势力的拓展,周边少数民族地区(如西南夷地区、北方草原地区等),日益强烈地受到中原文化的影响,汉式器物(包括铁剑)源源输入并逐渐得到流行。因此,本文虽是研究汉代的中原铁剑,但也将引用一些边缘少数民族地区出土的典型汉式剑。

The Han style of iron sword means the iron sword prevailing in the Central Plains during the Western and Eastern Han periods. In the present paper, it is systematically studied in six aspects on the basis of substantial archaeological finds. 1) The replacement of the bronze sword by the iron one in the Central Plains. The iron sword of the Central Plains took its rise in the late Western Zhou, made its initial development in the Eastern Zhou, came into prevalence in the Western Han, and thoroughly replaced the bronze sword in the Eastern Han. 2) The classification of the Han style of iron sword. According to the shapes of its blade and tang, it can be divided into three types, with Type A comprising three subtypes and Type C two subtypes. 3) Attachments of the Han style of iron sword. These include the pommel, guard and handle, all of which are detailed and reconstructed. 4) The origin of the Han style of iron sword. Analyses are made on its relations with the bronze sword and iron one of the Eastern Zhou and Qin periods and on its inheritance of and creation upon the tradition. 5) The making techniques of the Han style of iron sword. Its ordinary and advanced, outstanding making techniques are studied in the light of the results of the tests made by historians of metallugy on the texture of iron swords. 6) The use of the Han style of iron sword. There is a research mainly into its use in the war, and also in social life, with related social customs discussed additionally.