Great Ming Military

Introduction of brigandine to China It is generally accepted that Chinese armies adopted brigandine armour due to Mongol influence, althoug...

Archery had always been one of the most important cultural aspects of China. Considered one of the Six Gentlemanly Arts   in Confucian p...

Despite the importance of archery in Chinese culture and warfare, very little is known about Ming bows because of their eventual complete re...

Drawings of various types of Ming Dynasty swords and sabres. From left to right: Two Jian , a Yao Dao, a Chang Dao, and a Duan Dao. From ...

UPDATED MAY 7, 2022, minor update DECEMBER 31, 2025 Large Fo Lang Ji from the Nanjing City Wall Museum. Fo Lang Ji (佛郎機, lit. 'F...

Drawing of a Chang Qiang, from 'Ji Xiao Xin Shu (《紀效新書》)'. Chang Qiang (長鎗, long spear) was a very long weapon. In fact, it was ...

Drawing of a military-style Tang Pa, from 'Bing Lu (《兵錄》)'.

Mian Jia (棉甲, cotton armour) Section of one of the pages of 'Rui Xi Xian Sheng Nian Pu (《瑞溪先生年譜》)', depicting a horseman wearing ...