Great Ming Military

Note:  This blog post was originally part of my Sha Chuan (沙船) article. However, after updating that article with additional information, I...

Some ceramic containers that could be made into Hui Ping and Yan Guan (highlighted), from 'Wu Bei Ji Yao (《武備集要》)'. Hui Ping (灰瓶, li...

Drawing of a paper fuse (top right), paper sealing tube (middle right), wooden fuse (top bottom), shell casing (top left) and bombard (botto...

Drawing of the flat back side of a Xian Mei, with placeholder soldier and military unit names written on it. From 'Ji Xiao Xin Shu (《紀效新...

UPDATED DECEMBER 31, 2025 While not as prominent as the formidable  Fu Chuan (福船) and  Guang Chuan (廣船) , warships from Zhezhi (浙直)—that ...

A replica Zhejiang Niao Chuan built in 2003. Although seaworthy, the replica's sails appear much smaller than historical ships. The last...

UPDATED AUGUST 17, 2025 Drawing of a Fu Chuan with full bamboo palisade, from 'Jing Guo Xiong Lue (《經國雄略》)'. Note its rolled, rat...

UPDATED AUGUST 8, 2025 Drawing of a Guang Chu...

UPDATED JULY 23, 2025 Drawing of a Sha Chuan, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'. Originating from  Chongming Island  at the mouth of the Y...

Drawing of a Gu Wang, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'. Gu Wang (罟網, net) was the Chinese term for fishing net and, in military contex...

Xi Gua Pao (西瓜砲, lit. 'Watermelon bomb') Drawing of a Xi Gua Pao and its contains, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

A string of caltrops, from 'Ji Xiao Xin Shu (《紀效新書》)'. Ji Li (蒺藜, lit. ' Puncturevine ') was the Chinese name for caltr...

Ju Ma (拒馬, lit. 'Horse repeller'), also known as Lu Jiao (鹿角, deer horn) and many other names, is the Chinese name for  cheval de...

Gui Jian, from 'Ji Xiao Xin Shu (《紀效新書》)'. Gui Jian (鬼箭, lit. 'Ghost arrow') was a type of iron caltrop that was cooked...

A pair of Bi Fu, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

For most of China's history, lamellar armour and, to a much lesser extent, scale armour were the most widely used armour types in Chines...

Drawing of a Huo Zhuan and its content, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'. Huo Zhuan (火磚, lit. 'Fire brick') was a type of bric...

Drawing of a Gou Lian, from 'Ji Xiao Xin Shu (《紀效新書》)'. Gou...

Cutaway drawing of a Huo Tong, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

Drawing of a Huo Guan, from 'Wu Bei Yao Lue (《武備要略》)'. Huo Guan (火罐, lit. 'Fire jar') was a ceramic grenade used in nav...