By Liu Jiawen, compiled and reported
To commemorate the first anniversary of the passing of national arts and crafts master Chen Tianyang, the Taichung Harbor Art Center is offering free admission to the “Sword Master of Lingnan – Chen Tianyang Sword Memorial Exhibition” from today until March 25. The exhibition includes various sword works for which he received the National Arts and Crafts Award, as well as the first edition of the Hundred Longevity Sword created in 1995. Among the most special pieces is the “Chengtian Sword,” which was forged to commemorate the first democratically elected President of the Republic of China and was presented to former President Lee Teng-hui for his collection, making it of significant historical value.
From today until March 25, the Taichung Harbor Art Center is hosting the Chen Tianyang Memorial Exhibition, displaying a total of 42 sword works by the master swordsmith. (Photo provided by Taichung Harbor Art Center)
This memorial exhibition showcases 42 swords created by Chen Tianyang. Among them, the scabbard of the “Chengtian Sword” is made of yew wood, with the scabbard mouth, guard ring, and chape intricately carved with auspicious patterns symbolizing fortune, prosperity, and longevity, along with the inscriptions “Commemorating the First Democratically Elected President of the Republic of China” and “Chengtian Sword.” The “Startling Rainbow Sword,” jointly forged by Chen Tianyang and his third-generation successor Chen Zhongzhi, is the last sword he created and holds special significance. In addition, the “Western Han Sword” was crafted based on research of an iron sword from the Western Han Dynasty unearthed in 1995 from the Shizhaishan Ancient Tomb Cluster in Jinning, Yunnan. This piece also won the first Traditional Crafts Award, establishing his esteemed status in the field of sword forging.
A multiple-time winner of the National Arts and Crafts Award, Chen Tianyang devoted his life entirely to the traditional art of sword-making. (Photo provided by Qingyun Sword Art Museum)
Chen Tianyang, a native of Shalu, Taichung, passed away at the age of 72. He was a multiple recipient of the National Arts and Crafts Award from the Council for Cultural Affairs under the Executive Yuan and remains to this day the only person in Taiwan to have won top-three national awards in the category of sword and knife art. He also authored several books on sword culture, including Zen and Autumn Waters, Three Feet of Autumn Water, and The Heart of the Sword and Poetry. To pass on the art of sword-making, he established the Qingyun Sword Art Museum, which displays not only his personal creations but also a rich collection of cultural relics accumulated over the years. Chen Tianyang poured his entire passion into the traditional art of sword-making, paying meticulous attention to historical research, materials, and design when crafting swords, resulting in exquisitely made blades. Sword art enthusiasts are encouraged to take this opportunity to visit and appreciate his work.
● Read more: Taichung Traditional Arts Festival – Must-See Performances Across All Districts
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