 |
| 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.
