Xiu Jian (袖箭)

Xiu Jian (袖箭, lit. 'Sleeve arrow')

Drawing of a Xiu Jian (highlighted), from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

A Xiu Jian was a simple dart with weighted arrowhead. It was usually kept hidden inside its user's sleeves (traditional Chinese clothing had long and broad sleeves), hence its namesake. Although Xiu Jian could also be thrown like a normal throwing dart, it was presumably launched directly from the sleeve with so-called gunslinger throw method. Unlike later models, Ming-style Xiu Jian did not come with spring-loaded launch tube.

Xiu Jian was used by some pragmatic Ming commanders during single combat as surprise weapon. Famous Ming commander Liu Ting (劉綎) was particularly fond of, and skillful with, this weapon.

Liu Xing Jian (流星箭, lit. 'Shooting star arrow')

Drawing of a Liu Xing Jian (highlighted), from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'。

Liu Xing Jian was another type of Chinese throwing dart. It was even heavier than Xiu Jian, as its shaft was made of lead-weighted iron. Liu Xing Jian was probably too heavy to be kept inside the sleeve comfortably, and thus was a purely hand-thrown weapon.