2 April 2015

Xian Qiang (線鎗)

Ming Chinese Cavalry Spear
Drawing of a Xian Qiang, from 'Lian Bing Za Ji (《練兵雜紀》)'.
Xian Qiang (線鎗, lit. 'Line spear' or 'Linear spear') was a lightweight lance or cavalry spear used by Ming cavalrymen in Northern China. General Qi Ji Guang (戚繼光) standardised the weapon into its current form, with a two chi spearhead and seven chi shaft, for a total length of nine chi. The spear shaft was extremely thin, only one cun in diameter, and the spear only weighted three jin. The spearhead was tapered to an acute point for better penetration.

1 April 2015

Chang Dao (長刀)

MINOR UPDATE DECEMBER 12, 2023


『此自倭犯中國始有之。』
"This (weapon) only became known (to the Chinese) since the incursion of Japanese into China."
— General Qi Ji Guang

Ming Dynasty two-handed sabre Dandao
Cheng Zong You's Dan Dao (left) and Qi Ji Guang's Chang Dao (right). While superficially similar, Qi Ji Guang's Chang Dao has a one chi long bronze collar/secondary grip, which is not found on Chen Zong You's Dan Dao. Images taken from 'Dan Dao Fa Xuan (《單刀法選》)' and 'Muyedobotongji (《무예도보통지》 or 《武藝圖譜通志》)'.

Ai Pai (挨牌)

Ming Dynasty Ai Pai
Front (right) and back (left) view of Ai Pai, from sixteenth century military treatise 'Chou Hai Tu Bian (《籌海圖編》)'.
Ai Pai (挨牌 or 捱牌, lit. 'Leaning shield'), also came to be known as Gao Li Pai (高麗牌, lit. 'Goryeo shield' or 'Korean shield') during late Ming period for reasons unknown, was a large wooden shield made of poplar wood, measuring five chi long and one chi five cun to three chi wide.
< > Home

Random Quotes & Trivia

GREAT MING MILITARY © , All Rights Reserved. BLOG DESIGN BY Sadaf F K.