Wuxia Blog
Translation updates, cultural insights, and other musings about wuxia and Chinese culture.
Translating factions in wuxia
A comprehensive framework for translating factions in wuxia. Learn when to use School, Sect, or Order based on perspective and context, with examples across Jin Yong's novels.
Ancient Tomb School or Sect?
Ancient Tomb School or Sect? Both translations are valid depending on perspective.
Weapon articles
Fifteen comprehensive weapon articles now document the arsenal of wuxia, from legendary named weapons to fundamental weapon types found throughout the genre.
Understanding wuxia fundamentals
Four foundational articles now explain core wuxia concepts essential for understanding the genre's terminology and social structures.
Why 'transmission' instead of 'teach'?
Exploring why wuxia translations use 'transmission' for martial arts teaching and what this reveals about lineage, legacy, and the sacred bond between master and disciple.
Mandarin Duck Blades translation updated to Third Edition
The Mandarin Duck Blades translation has been updated to align with Jin Yong's Third Edition, with a comprehensive changelog documenting differences between editions.
Quick reference for translations
Translation pages now include a Quick reference section to help you discover characters, places, and concepts mentioned in each chapter.
Mandarin Duck Blades translation completed
We've completed the translation of Jin Yong's Mandarin Duck Blades, a delightful comedy that subverts wuxia expectations.
Currency in wuxia
Traditional Chinese currency systems appear throughout wuxia fiction, reflecting historical economic practices and social hierarchies through monetary units like taels, strings of cash, and coins.