Juque (simplified: 巨阙, traditional: 巨闕, pinyin: Jùquē, jyutping: geoi6 kyut3) was a legendary sword of Chinese lore, said to have been forged by the master smith Ouyezi (欧冶子). It is often listed among the “famous swords” (名剑 — míngjiàn) of antiquity, alongside Zhanlu, Chunjun, Shengxie, and Yuchang.
Legend
Juque is associated with the Spring and Autumn period and the State of Yue. The name is often interpreted as “giant gate” or “great tower” (巨 — jù “huge”; 阙 — quē “tower” or “gate”), suggesting size or imposing presence. In tradition, Ouyezi forged it as one of his masterworks.
In Sword of the Yue Maiden
Juque is one of the five swords Ouyezi forged for King Yunchang of Yue, and one of the two that stayed in Yue. Xue Zhu ranks it last: in the forging its tin and copper separated, so it is merely sharp, not a prized jian.1
See also
- Ouyezi — The smith credited with forging Juque
- Zhanlu, Chunjun, Shengxie, Yuchang — Other legendary swords
- Sword of the Yue Maiden items