Shou Pai (手牌)

A Shou Pai, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

Shou Pai (手牌, hand shield) was a long and narrow hand shield made of poplar or pine wood. It was five chi seven cun tall, about one chi wide, and shaped like a concave hexagon.

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Famous Military Unit of the Ming Dynasty — Tu Bing (土兵)

UPDATED DECEMBER 7, 2022

Section of the scroll painting 'Wakō-zukan (《倭寇図巻》)', depicting Ming troops wearing white headscarves and armed with pole sickles, matching with what's been known about Tu Bing's appearance.

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Some random mythbustings

There are many false information about Ming Dynasty military (and ancient Chinese military in general) floating around on the internet. Here are some of the more well known ones, and the truth behind these myths.

Myth 1. Rattan shield is bulletproof.

A Chinese rattan shield, late Qing (Boxer rebellion) period. (Source: Zemanek-Münster)

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