Gui Jian (鬼箭)

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 with either human feces or poison so that it wouldcause infection when stepped on. It was a very dirty weapon and poses great danger to its user, and thus usually stored inside a container made of bamboo. Instead of planting the caltrops one by one, user of Gui Jian simply scattered the caltrops directly from the container.

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Bi Fu (臂縛)

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

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Lamellar and scale armours of the Ming Dynasty

For most of China's history, lamellar armour and, to a much lesser extent, scale armour were the most widely used armour types in Chinese armies. The use of lamellar armour declined during Ming period, having given way to the more convenient yet no less protective brigandine. Nevertheless, it never disappeared completely from Chinese arsenal.

Generally speaking, there were several different styles of lamellar or scale armour in use during Ming period.

Traditional Song Dynasty-style "Ornate" Armour

Section of an early Ming Dynasty religious scroll painting, depicting a Chinese commander in an ornate suit of composite armour. Shanxi Museum.

This type of armour was one of the most recognisable of Chinese armours, and was usually reserved for the highest ranking commanders and Jin Yi Wei (錦衣衛). It could be of either lamellar, scale, mountain pattern or even mail construction, or a composite of multiple types. As this type of armour was often ornamental in nature, it was usually made of bronze or gilded iron/steel. Field armour of this style also existed, but never common.

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