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| A different Yan Wei Pai, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'. |
Yan Wei Pai (燕尾牌, lit. 'Swallowtail shield'), sometimes simply known as
Shou Pai (手牌, hand shield), was a long and slender hand shield that had a characteristic “swallow tail” shape. It was made of poplar, pine or tung wood and measured five
chi seven
cun in length and about one
chi in width. Despite its length, Yan Wei Pai was light and agile. While it provided adequate protection to its wielder, it was too narrow to protect those who stand behind him.
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Front (right) and back (left) view of a Yan Wei Pai, from 'Chou Hai Tu Bian (《籌海圖編》)'.
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Yan Wei Pai was the preferred shield of
Lang Bing (狼兵).
Are there any details on how this shield would've been used, like if that indention at the top was meant to trap an enemy weapon or prop a gun?
ReplyDeleteThere was a slight mention on how to use this shield in Wu Bian 《武編》,but the indention was not utilised in any way.
DeleteOTOH, the indention was indeed used as gun prop, although a larger Ai Pai (挨牌) was used.
Then again, given the way this shield is wielded, parrying or trapping enemy weapon with the shield comes naturally. There is also a Qing drawing that depicts a soldier dual-wielding two shields.
DeleteSorry if it was a long time ago but do you have any link or key words I could use to find this picture?
DeleteAh, I found the picture!
Deletehttps://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e3-0ef3-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99
thanks!Sorry for not having noticed your responce .
Delete