Guo Changxi 郭常喜 Preserving Traditional Swordsmithing in Taiwan

A lone man stands between his cultural heritage and extinction. Eagerly he works to preserve a tradition that is centuries old. He is revered among both the martial arts community, and the wuxia film industry. He is one of the last swordsmiths in Taiwan. His name is Guo Changxi 郭常喜.

His claim to fame comes from creating the renowned Green Destiny Sword 青冥寶劍, featured in the movie, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, and it's sequel Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny.

Mr. Guo's mission is clear. For more than 35 years he has forged swords in the traditional Chinese style. However, he has also taken trips to Japan, to study other Eastern styles of swordsmithing. His own particular style resurrects an ancient technique usually left out of modern swordsmithing. 

That thing that truly sets him apart from other smiths is that Guo Changxi uses human bones to make swords. Many requests for these swords come from people with deceased family members, whose wish is to have their remains made into a sword, as a memorial. Mr. Guo says that when bones are burned, the phosphorous they leave behind can help to remove impurities from the steel. When the phosphorous mixes with the steel, its color shifts to turquoise. He also says that bones allow spirit to be imbued into the sword. 

For the Chinese Culture the myth this practice possibly stems from is the story of Gan Jiang 干將 and Mo Ye 莫邪. They were two swordsmiths, a husband and wife, who were both apprentices to legendary swordsmith, Ou Ye Zi 歐冶子, who made King Gou Jian's sword. They lived during the Spring and Autumn period (770-45 B.C.E.). The story began when the king of Wu commissioned both of them to make a special sword for him. After months of little success, Gan Jiang fell discouraged as their efforts failed to produce a sword.

As the deadline neared, and out of sheer desperation, his wife, Mo Ye sacrificed herself by throwing herself into the fire. Magically, the fire finally became hot enough to forge the sword. In the end two swords were made, showing both male and female qualities.

Gan Jiang gave the female sword to the king, who was pleased with the sword, but displeased that it was later than the agreed time. When it was found out that Gan Jiang had kept the male sword, the king had him executed. The two swords were named, Gan Jiang and Mo Ye, for the two tragic lovers.

In the video, Guo Changxi mentions the Gan Jiang sword as a source of inspiration for his swords.

Now nearing 72 years of age, Guo Changxi's door is still open to apprentices, eager to pass on his skill to a new generation.

Guo Changxi works in the Jiading District 茄萣區 of Kaohsiung City 高雄市, Taiwan. His workshop is there, and nearby there is also a museum, dedicated to his extensive collection of ancient Chinese weapons, which includes Mr. Guo's original Green Destiny sword. Click the link below for more info on the Guo Changxi Knife and Sword Museum.
http://superspace.moc.gov.tw/en/local_culture_page.asp?rid=205