Dragon Head Monk's Spade

- 2-section Monk's Spade with high-quality stainless steel screw fitting
- Chrome-plated steel spade and crescent blade
- Brass guard
- Spade holder is a stunning dragon head design
- Red tassel
- Superbly crafted hard wood shaft
- Total length approx. 197cm
- Spade length approx. 30cm
- Spade width approx. 30cm
- Crescent blade length approx. 17.5cm
- Crescent blade width approx. 30cm
- Shaft length approx. 150cm
- Total weight approx. 3.7kg

More About the Monk's Spade
The Monk's Spade (also known as the Shaolin Spade) like many weapons in Chinese martial arts first began as a tool, then through its (often improvised) use was further developed and recognised as a weapon. Monk’s travelling China would often pack a light spade which would serve as a multipurpose tool; useful as a walking cane and being a handy bludgeon if threatened while on the road, as well as its immediate use for digging or even chopping wood should the blade be sharpened. 

The monk's spade is famous for it’s role in delivering Buddhist and Taoist funerary rights in ancient China. If a monk happened along a body in their travels (not uncommon in dynasties distinguished by conflict), their spade would be handy to bury the dead. There are also records of families calling upon errant monks to deliver such rites in exchange for food and shelter. In time, a second, crescent shaped blade was developed and placed on the opposite end of the pole. It is thought that the blade was designed with the intention of warding off wild and stray animals. The crescent blade being useful for catching any would-be predator at the neck while also denying angles for them to pounce.

Today, the monk's spade is notorious for its conditioning of the body through its rigorous forms, which often demand the heavy polearm to be spun around the body and over one’s head. This is in addition to powerful sweeping movements and thrusts.