Antique sword manufacturing makes it to TV

A TV program on the Shanxi Channel, in taking a close look at traditional and contemporary culture in Shanxi province recently, did an episode from Pingyao county on traditional sword making at its Wentao antique weapons museum.

The camera crew from the channel's 'Cultural Lecture Room' program documented all the steps in the complicated craft, from casting to firing and forging, to grinding, from a variety of perspectives. The program managers say they hope that by introducing this particular old county craft they can tell the public more about its history and culture.

Wang Zhe, head of the TV program, explains that, although these old swords can be found all over China, the exquisite culture behind them is not so well known, so, they "hope to introduce the sword culture to the masses so the traditional craft can continue into the future."

The episode will be aired during this year's Spring Festival, on "Cultural Lecture Room", where prominent historians and experts from across the country are invited to tell the audience about the history and culture of Shanxi province and examine it with a new perspective.