List of Kung Fu & Chinese Martial Arts Weapons
A classic expression in Wushu is the phrase "18 typesof weapons". It originally really meant 18 different weapons that a versatile martial artist would have to wield. However, gradually the number of different types of weapons increased so much that they began to speak not about "18 types of weapons", but about "18 classes of military equipment." At the same time, one of the types was understood as hand-to-hand combat, and by others - the possession of pole-arm, blade, throwing, etc. weapons. In addition to the standard military weapons, many wushu schools had their own specific items used for combat. Examples include "shovel with a crescent moon", "emei needles", "the hand of the keeper of the book of life", "hook of the cock's claws", "shuttle", "the old man blocks the face" (a large smoking pipe), "tongs of five dragons", "plates of \` tzu ', \ `u' and mandarin ducks", etc. In addition, even within one variety, classes that are quite different from each other can be distinguished. For example, in spears, one can distinguish spears of a left-sided grip and spears of a right-sided grip, paired spears and "two-headed snakes" (spears with a tip at each end); if we consider in even more detail, that is, the methods of action with a spear, focusing on piercing, ripping, collapsing and sliding, and there is focusing on pulling, hitting, chopping and breaking. There is also such a method of application as "short use of long arms". If classified by name, then we can distinguish the methods of action with the spear of the families of Yang, Luo, Yue, Ma, Sha, Li and Shi, as well as "
Pole
The pole is the very first weapon. The first hunting tools were sticks and stones. Later, in uprisings, they raised poles as a banner and cut trees for weapons. The pole is most widely used as a weapon, which is why it is called the "head of a hundred weapons".
The pole has many names. The most common is gun (pole), its length is 2-2.40 m. A pole 1m 65cm long was called tsimeigun ("a pole up to the eyebrows"), a 2m 65cm pole was called a gun (pole) or zhang (staff). If iron hoops are worn at the ends of the pole, then it is called a ban (club). A wooden pole usually weighs 1.5-2.5 kg, while a metal pole can exceed 7.5 kg. In addition, there is a dagun (large pole), over 2.5 m long and 6.5 cm thick, suitable for both blows and injections. "Pole with clamped knife" is a pole with a 10-15cm knife fixed at one end. There are also "three-section staff" (three sticks 67cm long each are connected by metal chains into a single whole), "hidden staff" (two sticks of the same length connected by an iron chain into a single whole), "wolf's tooth club"
Of the modern known methods of possession of the pole, the Shaolin methods of pole fighting, the pole of the tiger and the flying dragon of the Kwangtung Lei Rensheng, the pole of the Great Void of the Hunan Liu Qizhong, as well as the pole of the madman and the pole of the heavenly equal, common in Northwest China, should be noted.
Classics in the study of polemics are the Ming Dynasty treatises Yu Daiu's "Canon of the Sword" and Cheng's Explaining the Origins of Shaolin Pole Techniques.
The pole has many names. The most common is gun (pole), its length is 2-2.40 m. A pole 1m 65cm long was called tsimeigun ("a pole up to the eyebrows"), a 2m 65cm pole was called a gun (pole) or zhang (staff). If iron hoops are worn at the ends of the pole, then it is called a ban (club). A wooden pole usually weighs 1.5-2.5 kg, while a metal pole can exceed 7.5 kg. In addition, there is a dagun (large pole), over 2.5 m long and 6.5 cm thick, suitable for both blows and injections. "Pole with clamped knife" is a pole with a 10-15cm knife fixed at one end. There are also "three-section staff" (three sticks 67cm long each are connected by metal chains into a single whole), "hidden staff" (two sticks of the same length connected by an iron chain into a single whole), "wolf's tooth club"
Of the modern known methods of possession of the pole, the Shaolin methods of pole fighting, the pole of the tiger and the flying dragon of the Kwangtung Lei Rensheng, the pole of the Great Void of the Hunan Liu Qizhong, as well as the pole of the madman and the pole of the heavenly equal, common in Northwest China, should be noted.
Classics in the study of polemics are the Ming Dynasty treatises Yu Daiu's "Canon of the Sword" and Cheng's Explaining the Origins of Shaolin Pole Techniques.
Compared to other types of weapons, the techniques of the pole are the easiest to learn, and therefore the pole is the base for other weapons. Cheng Zongyu, in Explaining the Origins of Shaolin Pole Techniques, wrote: “All types of combat training have wonderful uses for any weapon, but nowhere else is there such a variety of body, arm and leg techniques as in the pole technique. , the fist has a direct blow - and with the pole there is a direct blow.With the jian sword there is \ `to saddle the horse and split the mane ', the fist has \` to stretch out on the horse' - and with the pole there is a form of stepping over the sword. oblique movement, in fist methods there is a jumping step - and the pole has a form of saddling of a horse.
However, if you put a tip on a pole, you will have a spear. Therefore, there are many common places in the techniques of the spear and pole. Striking with a pole not to the head can only hit the skin and meat, while stabbing with a pole, even without a sharp point, you can strike the internal organs. Therefore, most of the techniques of the pole are close to the spear, because it increases the lethal force. The pole has two ends, but if you use the technique of a spear, then the power will double. If stabbing with the end of the pole, then both hands should move to the other end, acting like a spear with the pole. They can deftly use both pricks and ripping, pulling, chopping movements. But still we must not forget that the spear goes straight, and the pole goes across, "the spear stabs along the line, the pole strikes in the plane." When using the pole, you need to be "quick", there is a saying: "the pole creates a whirlwind."
However, if you put a tip on a pole, you will have a spear. Therefore, there are many common places in the techniques of the spear and pole. Striking with a pole not to the head can only hit the skin and meat, while stabbing with a pole, even without a sharp point, you can strike the internal organs. Therefore, most of the techniques of the pole are close to the spear, because it increases the lethal force. The pole has two ends, but if you use the technique of a spear, then the power will double. If stabbing with the end of the pole, then both hands should move to the other end, acting like a spear with the pole. They can deftly use both pricks and ripping, pulling, chopping movements. But still we must not forget that the spear goes straight, and the pole goes across, "the spear stabs along the line, the pole strikes in the plane." When using the pole, you need to be "quick", there is a saying: "the pole creates a whirlwind."
Sword-dao (including halberd-dadao)
The hieroglyph "dao" denotes a weapon with a curved blade with one-sided sharpening. Therefore, the Chinese call the word Tao knives, sabers, and even halberds (only in this case the hieroglyph "yes" - "big" is added). The Chinese also called Japanese swords Tao.
The Dao Sword is one of the oldest weapons in China. In "Studies in Ancient History" it is said: "King Suihuang cast metal and made a sword-dao." (According to legend, it was Suihuang who taught people how to make fire). "True records of the double image" read: "Huang-di made the sword-dao." What is sword-dao? The Exquisite Beauty says: "The name of the sword is pronounced \` dao ', when you cut it completely - this is the blow of this sword. " In the "True Records of the Double of Images," the varieties of the Dao sword are described as follows: "There is a sword of four ranks, coming from the war of Chi Yu and Huang Di in Zhuolu; there is a trail sword used in army formation; there is a wall formation sword used in defensive shaft; there is a long sword held by the general. There is a sword of the image, which is an attribute of the Minister of War. It comes from the Eastern Jin dynasty, is made of wood, decorated with silver, symbolizes power, is the official sword. " The handle was made of hard wood, the length was set depending on the type.
The Dao Sword is one of the most commonly used weapons. A horseman could fight with a halberd dadao ("big sword"), an infantryman could fight with a halberd pudao ("simple sword") and shuangshoudai ("two-handed tape"), and both a rider and an infantryman more dexterous than a spear. Tao sword techniques include chopping, chopping, blocking, thrusting, and slicing — which are simpler spear techniques, easier to learn and easier to master. Therefore, in the history of war, the sword-dao was often used by both generals and soldiers.
During the Song dynasty, the manufacture of dao swords developed very strongly, they were divided into two large classes - hand swords (or single swords) and large swords. Large swords included the tassel sword, the halberd sword, the sword of the hidden moon, the curved sword, the swinging sword, the sword of the phoenix beak, the sword to the eyebrows, and the sword of the donkey's ear. The Japanese invasion of the Ming dynasty introduced the Japanese sword art with its display of power. Qi Jiguang in the "New Book of Records of Achievements" writes: "The long sword comes from the Japanese invading China. The Japanese skillfully jump, stepped - and has already moved to the zhang, the sword 5 hours long - so it hits 1 zhang 5 hours. With our short weapon it is difficult for him resist, and the long is not clever enough, many were cut. " He Liangchen, who lived during the Ming Dynasty, confirms: " and especially the fusion of Japanese and Chinese techniques made by Qi Jiguang, allowed the technique of a single sword to take a big step forward. By the time of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the greatsword, longsword (i.e., the Japanese sword), and the single sword became common military weapons. In addition to them, a flying sword (23 cm) and a small sword (53 cm) were popular among the people. For example, at the end of the Qing dynasty, the Union of Small Swords operated in Shanghai. Sword-dao spread throughout the world of Chinese martial arts, which is why they say that "sword-dao is the commander of a hundred types of weapons." and especially the fusion of Japanese and Chinese techniques made by Qi Jiguang, allowed the technique of a single sword to take a big step forward. By the time of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the greatsword, longsword (i.e., the Japanese sword), and the single sword became common military weapons. In addition to them, a flying sword (23 cm) and a small sword (53 cm) were popular among the people. For example, at the end of the Qing dynasty, the Union of Small Swords operated in Shanghai. Sword-dao spread throughout the world of Chinese martial arts, which is why they say that "sword-dao is the commander of a hundred types of weapons." In addition to them, a flying sword (23 cm) and a small sword (53 cm) were popular among the people. For example, at the end of the Qing dynasty, the Union of Small Swords operated in Shanghai. Sword-dao spread throughout the world of Chinese martial arts, which is why they say that "sword-dao is the commander of a hundred types of weapons." In addition to them, a flying sword (23 cm) and a small sword (53 cm) were popular among the people. For example, at the end of the Qing dynasty, the Union of Small Swords operated in Shanghai. Sword-dao spread throughout the world of Chinese martial arts, which is why they say that "sword-dao is the commander of a hundred types of weapons."
Today, the art of using the sword-dao is one of the brightest competitive types of sports wushu. Wushu master Li Qingshan, at the age of more than seventy, rotates a large iron sword weighing 48 kg, which indicates considerable strength!
Today, the art of using the sword-dao is one of the brightest competitive types of sports wushu. Wushu master Li Qingshan, at the age of more than seventy, rotates a large iron sword weighing 48 kg, which indicates considerable strength!
There is a saying about how to train the use of the sword-dao: "With one sword-dao watch your hand, with two swords-dao watch your movements, with dadao watch your mouth."
A single sword is usually held with one hand while the other hand moves in concert with the sword. The sword carries out "wrapping the head", "wrapping the back of the head", chopping down, pricking, lifting, cutting, blocking, suppressing, ripping open. In this case, the free hand adds strength to the hand with the sword. The complexity, consistency, applicability and beauty of the movements depend entirely on the consistency of the empty hand.
During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), methods of handling the Japanese sword appeared, now called the methods of handling the miaodao ("sprout-shaped sword" - as the Chinese called the Japanese sword for its shape).
When using two swords, the movements of both hands are consistent with the movements of both legs. It is necessary that the hands act with force, clearly, the steps are dexterous, the top and bottom are completely coordinated. There are a lot of rotations, windings, entanglements in the methods of action with paired swords. If the steps are awkward and indistinct, it will be difficult to coordinate the swords with each other, it will be difficult to defend. When a professional looks at the technique of two swords, the first thing they pay attention to is the accuracy of the movements.
Dadao is a long weapon, very heavy, often used by cavalrymen. The basic techniques are chopping, cutting, lifting, kicking, thrusting, pressing, suspension, blocking and ripping. At the same time, the movement of the blade should be distinct, only then can the full power of dadao be shown. For pudao, the requirements are the same.
The Tao sword must be fought fiercely and fiercely. The Dao sword is heavier than other types of short weapons, therefore, in a fight, they can make large cuts, and block them hard.
A single sword is usually held with one hand while the other hand moves in concert with the sword. The sword carries out "wrapping the head", "wrapping the back of the head", chopping down, pricking, lifting, cutting, blocking, suppressing, ripping open. In this case, the free hand adds strength to the hand with the sword. The complexity, consistency, applicability and beauty of the movements depend entirely on the consistency of the empty hand.
During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), methods of handling the Japanese sword appeared, now called the methods of handling the miaodao ("sprout-shaped sword" - as the Chinese called the Japanese sword for its shape).
When using two swords, the movements of both hands are consistent with the movements of both legs. It is necessary that the hands act with force, clearly, the steps are dexterous, the top and bottom are completely coordinated. There are a lot of rotations, windings, entanglements in the methods of action with paired swords. If the steps are awkward and indistinct, it will be difficult to coordinate the swords with each other, it will be difficult to defend. When a professional looks at the technique of two swords, the first thing they pay attention to is the accuracy of the movements.
Dadao is a long weapon, very heavy, often used by cavalrymen. The basic techniques are chopping, cutting, lifting, kicking, thrusting, pressing, suspension, blocking and ripping. At the same time, the movement of the blade should be distinct, only then can the full power of dadao be shown. For pudao, the requirements are the same.
The Tao sword must be fought fiercely and fiercely. The Dao sword is heavier than other types of short weapons, therefore, in a fight, they can make large cuts, and block them hard.
Jian sword
The hieroglyph "jian" in China meant a straight sword with two-sided sharpening. The jian sword is one of the oldest weapons. In "Guanzi" it is said: "Once the Galushan Mountain erupted metal. Chi Yu took it and made jian." It is known from archaeological research that the bronze sword-jian existed already during the Shang and Zhou dynasties. During the Spring and Autumn era and the Warring States, the development of the art of swordsmanship went ahead of other weapons. In "Chuangzi" in the chapter "Unlearned to fence" there are the following words about the sword: "Fencing, having made a false thrust, I give the enemy an advantage, but when I strike him later, I get ahead of him in the hit." Mentioned in "Spring and Autumn" of the principalities of Wu and Yue, the Yue maiden is an extraordinary master of swordsmanship, not only knows the sword technique, but also understands the laws of action with the sword. She says: "His path is intimate and changeable, its meaning is quiet and deep, the path contains gates and doors, it still contains yin and yang, you open the gates and close the doors, yin boils - yang blooms, this is the path of close combat, jing and shen are overflowing inside. , outwardly demonstrating calmness and manners, visible like a good wife, attack - like a tiger is scary, one person is like a hundred, a hundred is like ten thousand. "
The art of the sword is ancient, and the art of making swords has also developed for a long time. The gunsmiths Ou Yezi, Gan Jiang, Mou Xie, who worked in the era of "Spring and Autumn" in the principalities of Wu and Yue, entered history. In the 60s in Jiangling, Hubei province, the sword of the Yue prince Gou Jian was found, which clarified the level of the weaponry of that era. The sword is more than half a meter long, the blade is adorned with a diamond-shaped ornament, there is also a pattern inlaid with blue glaze, which shows the high level of development of the then metallurgical and blacksmithing art.
Ancient swords were of three types. In the "Zhou Rituals" it is said about this as follows: A sword with a length of 3 hours (approx. 1 m) (with a handle) and weighing 60 lans is the highest sword used by warriors of the highest level. The sword is 2chi 5tsunei long (about 80cm) and weighs 45lans - this is a medium sword used by middle-level warriors. A sword with a length of 2 chi (66 cm) and a weight of 35 lians - the lowest sword, was used by warriors of the lower level.
In numerous wars, the sword-jian was gradually replaced by other types of weapons, and over time it became a ritual object, symbolizing the nobility of the military and the high elegance of civilians. There was a fashion for dancing with a sword. During the war between the principalities of Chu and Han, a certain Xiang Zhuang danced with a sword during the Swan Gate Feast. During the Tang Dynasty, for their sword dances, Pei Ming, calligrapher Zhang Xu and poet Li Bo were dubbed "the three unsurpassed."
Ancient swords were of three types. In the "Zhou Rituals" it is said about this as follows: A sword with a length of 3 hours (approx. 1 m) (with a handle) and weighing 60 lans is the highest sword used by warriors of the highest level. The sword is 2chi 5tsunei long (about 80cm) and weighs 45lans - this is a medium sword used by middle-level warriors. A sword with a length of 2 chi (66 cm) and a weight of 35 lians - the lowest sword, was used by warriors of the lower level.
In numerous wars, the sword-jian was gradually replaced by other types of weapons, and over time it became a ritual object, symbolizing the nobility of the military and the high elegance of civilians. There was a fashion for dancing with a sword. During the war between the principalities of Chu and Han, a certain Xiang Zhuang danced with a sword during the Swan Gate Feast. During the Tang Dynasty, for their sword dances, Pei Ming, calligrapher Zhang Xu and poet Li Bo were dubbed "the three unsurpassed."
Later in the art of handling the sword, two manners were formed. The first is the handling of a sword with a long brush, also called a civil sword. During training, the sword moves in strokes and twists of indescribable beauty, the brush should not wrap around the hand, this is a very graceful sight. This is how aristocrats, Confucian scholars, civilian officials, etc. were trained. It was no longer the art of fighting, but the art of dancing. The second style is the handling of a sword with a short brush or without a brush, also called a military sword. The movements here are lively, the techniques are multi-change, the movements are sharp, this is the real-applied art of handling a sword. But the jian sword is light, short, refined, weak, it is difficult for them to resist head-on with a thicker weapon, only avoiding attacks, deftly using body action methods, moving from one technique to another, and you can achieve victory.
However, whatever the sword-jian is - with a long brush or with a short one - his techniques are not similar to the outwardly wild methods of the sword-dao, they always have a certain intelligence. Therefore, and also due to the fact that the sword-jian (along with the guitar-qin, chess and the book) was one of the four jewels of an educated person, the saying "sword-jian is the most beautiful of a hundred types of weapons"
However, whatever the sword-jian is - with a long brush or with a short one - his techniques are not similar to the outwardly wild methods of the sword-dao, they always have a certain intelligence. Therefore, and also due to the fact that the sword-jian (along with the guitar-qin, chess and the book) was one of the four jewels of an educated person, the saying "sword-jian is the most beautiful of a hundred types of weapons"
A spear
In "Selected Pearls of Things and Events" there is such a place: "A spear - a wooden shaft and a metal tip, comes from Huang-di, spread by Kunming (nickname of the famous commander Zhuge Liang, era of the Three Kingdoms)". The spear-qiang consists of a tip and a shaft, a brush and a fringe are auxiliary elements. The spears were different, the tips could be of different weights, so they have a lot of names. During the Ming dynasty, different wushu schools used different spears. The Yang family spear was about 6m long, the Ma family spear was 3m 16cm, the Sha family bamboo pole was from 6m to 8m, the Hankou spear was 5m 30cm, 5m 66cm, 6m (from Wu Shu's treatise "Notes on Hand Technique", Ming Dynasty) ... By the time of the Qing Dynasty, the length of the spears gradually decreased. A spear with a length of 1m 81cm was called busyatsyan ("one-step spear"), 2m 31cm - huaqiang ("flower spear"), 2m 71cm - zhongpingqiang ("middle horizontal spear"). In addition to them, there was also a spear 4m long, called datsiang ("big spear"), 5m 66cm - daganzi ("big pole"), 6m - mao. So they have remained to this day.
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The spear is called a prince and a sneak because of its enormous power in battle, speed of attacks and defenses, and a wealth of variations in techniques that often make the enemy's defense unsuccessful. This effect is inseparable from the spear techniques invented and improved by the masters of different eras. Consider, for example, the Ming dynasty's spear wielding techniques. These included the Yang family spear, the Ma family spear, the Sha family bamboo pole, the Li family short spear, the Shi family spear, the Emei spear, the Shaolin spear, the Hankow spear (according to New Achievement Book, Treatise on Battle Formations, "Notes on Hand Technique"), the Jin family spear, Zhang Fei's magic spear, the five celebrity's magic spear, the twisted breakthrough lance, the twisted blade lance, the awl lance, the shuttle lance, the pestle lance, the brush lance of great tranquility, horse-pushing spear, piercing horse picking-out spear, violet-gold dart, earthen tongue spear (according to "Brief Description of the Southern District", Chapter 8 "General Description of Weapons"). In these methods, not only different spears are used, there are also great differences in technique and manner, therefore, even in the methods of the same name, the requirements for movements are often very different. This variety of methods naturally stimulated the development of technology, which allowed the spear to become the main of the eighteen weapons. therefore, even in the techniques of the same name, the requirements for movements are often very different. This variety of methods naturally stimulated the development of technology, which allowed the spear to become the main of the eighteen weapons. therefore, even in the techniques of the same name, the requirements for movements are often very different. This variety of methods naturally stimulated the development of technology, which allowed the spear to become the main of the eighteen weapons.
But if you remove the tip from the spear, there will be a pole. Therefore, there are many common places in spear and pole techniques. Many spear techniques include such movements as whipping, hitting, chopping, breaking, which are still more inherent in the pole. Wu Shu (Ming Dynasty), in his Notes on Hand Technique, describes the Ma family's spear methods: "The Yang family's (spear) is at the core, and pole techniques are used." In the same book, Shaolin spear techniques are described, in which the spear techniques are also taken as a basis, and the pole techniques are added to them.
The basic techniques of the spear are to beat off with the end to the left, beat off with the end to the right and thrust. These three moves, performed one after the other in rapid succession, create the impression of a continuous series of punches through the ring (the impression of a ring comes from the rapid movement of the tip in semicircles during the first two beats). When thrusting, the front hand weakens the grip and allows the shaft to slide freely inside, which makes it possible to fully use the length of the spear and thrust at a very long distance. This is one of the main differences between Chinese methods of action with a spear from European ones.
Flexible weapon
This category includes multi-section steel whips-bian, as well as lusinchui ("meteor hammer" - a load on a long rope), whip, shengbiao ("dart on a rope" - a spear point at the end of a long rope), feizhui ("flying claws ") etc. All of them are united by the presence of a long flexible part.
Weapons such as the multi-section whip are popular in wushu today. They consist of a handle (about the width of the palm), several steel sticks connected to each other like a chain, and the end part (made either in the form of a spear point, or sharpened in the manner of a knife). The most standard is the nine-piece jiujiebian whip, but the seven-piece and thirteen-piece are also used. The attack was carried out with lashing blows, the defense was carried out by beating to the side with the help of a lash on the attacking object, or by defensive rotation. There are two types of whip schools: those where most of the techniques are done while standing (in this case, most of the whip spins are done in the vertical plane), and those where the techniques are performed while falling to the ground (in this case, most of the whip spins are performed in the horizontal plane). plane).
Weapons such as the multi-section whip are popular in wushu today. They consist of a handle (about the width of the palm), several steel sticks connected to each other like a chain, and the end part (made either in the form of a spear point, or sharpened in the manner of a knife). The most standard is the nine-piece jiujiebian whip, but the seven-piece and thirteen-piece are also used. The attack was carried out with lashing blows, the defense was carried out by beating to the side with the help of a lash on the attacking object, or by defensive rotation. There are two types of whip schools: those where most of the techniques are done while standing (in this case, most of the whip spins are done in the vertical plane), and those where the techniques are performed while falling to the ground (in this case, most of the whip spins are performed in the horizontal plane). plane).
Shengbiao was used by caravan guards, who needed (in the event of an attack on a guarded cargo) to quickly interrupt more attackers at as long a distance as possible. The spear point was thrown about like a dart, and with the help of a rope it was returned back. In this case, the throwing did not take place from the hand, but with the help of preliminary unwinding of the tip on the rope like a sling.
Liu Xing Chui is actually a brush. It was especially good for pursuing a fleeing enemy.
Flexible weapons are considered the most difficult to master, and therefore today, when edged weapons have lost their importance for self-defense, few are trained to use them. The most important element in mastering a flexible weapon is the art of quickly winding and reeling it on various parts of the body that are exposed in time. This makes it possible to quickly change the radius of destruction, the speed of the warhead, and suddenly change the direction of movement.
Flexible weapons are considered the most difficult to master, and therefore today, when edged weapons have lost their importance for self-defense, few are trained to use them. The most important element in mastering a flexible weapon is the art of quickly winding and reeling it on various parts of the body that are exposed in time. This makes it possible to quickly change the radius of destruction, the speed of the warhead, and suddenly change the direction of movement.
Sectional weapon
In Europe, this species includes a battle flail, the striking part of which is much shorter than the base and is a spiked club bound with iron. The flexible joint is quite varied in length and is associated primarily with agricultural traditions. Depending on the execution, it can overwhelm the opponent's weapon or hand, or, if it is short enough, clamp the enemy's hand between two parts of the flail, like a vice. Such weapons were very effectively used in the Middle Ages by foot soldiers in the fight against horsemen in general, and knights in armor in particular. The articulated part of the combat flail, like a hammer, struck the armor, causing not only a mechanical, but also an acoustic effect on the enemy. Moreover, the skill of handling a flail was among the peasants, and the foot soldiers were mainly recruited from among them,
In the East, the appearance of any weapon is usually associated with a historical figure or a well-known historical story.
For example, in China, the invention of the sectional pole is attributed to the founder of the SUN dynasty, Zhao Kuan-yin (X century). While still a simple warrior, he was famous as a pole fighter. Once, during a fight, his weapon broke, but since the pole was bamboo, it did not fly apart, but, breaking, hung in his hand. Creatively assessing the capabilities of his "new" weapon, Zhao continued the battle and overpowered his opponent. He liked this version of the pole, and in the future, the chain began to serve as an articulation of the two parts. This is how the two-piece liangzegun pole was born.
Unlike an ordinary flail, a liangzegun consists of two equal halves, each of which is about a meter long. The connecting chain is made up of just a few rings. Liangjiegun can be fought like a short pole or stick, striking blows with both ends, or you can wave it like a flail. At the same time, the hanging part describes large circles and allows you to block blows at different levels. You can, taking the liangzegun by the ends, catch the enemy's weapon between two folding halves. You can, by folding it, come to a close distance or, conversely, letting go of one end, sharply increase it.
In China, there is also a direct analogue of the European combat flail, consisting of a long and short sticks with flexible joints. Such weapons are called "shaojiegun" or "sweeping pole". It comes in two flavors:
"Long" or "big" shaojiegun has a shaft length of about 150 cm and a flail length of 40-50 cm;
"Short" or "hand" flail has a shaft about 90 cm long with a similar flail length.
In the East, the appearance of any weapon is usually associated with a historical figure or a well-known historical story.
For example, in China, the invention of the sectional pole is attributed to the founder of the SUN dynasty, Zhao Kuan-yin (X century). While still a simple warrior, he was famous as a pole fighter. Once, during a fight, his weapon broke, but since the pole was bamboo, it did not fly apart, but, breaking, hung in his hand. Creatively assessing the capabilities of his "new" weapon, Zhao continued the battle and overpowered his opponent. He liked this version of the pole, and in the future, the chain began to serve as an articulation of the two parts. This is how the two-piece liangzegun pole was born.
Unlike an ordinary flail, a liangzegun consists of two equal halves, each of which is about a meter long. The connecting chain is made up of just a few rings. Liangjiegun can be fought like a short pole or stick, striking blows with both ends, or you can wave it like a flail. At the same time, the hanging part describes large circles and allows you to block blows at different levels. You can, taking the liangzegun by the ends, catch the enemy's weapon between two folding halves. You can, by folding it, come to a close distance or, conversely, letting go of one end, sharply increase it.
In China, there is also a direct analogue of the European combat flail, consisting of a long and short sticks with flexible joints. Such weapons are called "shaojiegun" or "sweeping pole". It comes in two flavors:
"Long" or "big" shaojiegun has a shaft length of about 150 cm and a flail length of 40-50 cm;
"Short" or "hand" flail has a shaft about 90 cm long with a similar flail length.
Secret weapon
A secret weapon is understood as a weapon that is carried hidden and is used unexpectedly for the enemy. The classic Chinese secret weapon is the biao dart. This word even gave life to all the terms related to security: the guard of the caravan - byoke, the bureau for the protection of caravans - biaoju, etc. The dart was made of steel, had a triangular point, was about 12cm long and weighed 100g. A dart weighing half a kilogram was called a "golden dart". There were two ways of throwing a dart - with a forward grip and with a reverse grip.
Another type of secret weapon is xujian sleeve arrows. They were charged into round tubes placed in sleeves, in which the firing mechanism was located. One press of the button - and the arrow flew out. The length of the tube is about 20cm, the length of the boom is about 15cm.
While the two arcane weapons are similar in many ways, much less force is required to use the sleeve shooter, and the range of the shot is entirely dependent on the power of the spring. The throwing range of a dart depends entirely on the amount of wrist effort. Both types of weapons need to accurately hit the target, so using a dart is much more difficult than using a sleeve arrow. That is why the saying "one hundred days for sleeve arrows, a thousand days for darts-biao" was born.
Another type of secret weapon is xujian sleeve arrows. They were charged into round tubes placed in sleeves, in which the firing mechanism was located. One press of the button - and the arrow flew out. The length of the tube is about 20cm, the length of the boom is about 15cm.
While the two arcane weapons are similar in many ways, much less force is required to use the sleeve shooter, and the range of the shot is entirely dependent on the power of the spring. The throwing range of a dart depends entirely on the amount of wrist effort. Both types of weapons need to accurately hit the target, so using a dart is much more difficult than using a sleeve arrow. That is why the saying "one hundred days for sleeve arrows, a thousand days for darts-biao" was born.
Blunt weapon
This refers to maces, hammers and clubs. In ancient times, there were stone maces, bronze, iron. For a long historical period, the mace was one of the most important weapons used in the army. In the "History of the Liao Dynasty" (the Liao Dynasty was established by the Khitan (Jurchen) tribe), in the "Military Records" section, it says that all Khitan from 15 to 50 years old were subject to military service, were required to have a war horse, iron armor and a set of weapons, in which included the mace. During the Song dynasty, the famous commander Yue Fei used maces, "in each battle he squeezed two maces of eighty jin in his hands" ("History of the Song Dynasty. Yue Fei"). In modern terms, Sung 80jin is 95.5kg.
Bows and arrows have been used since the Paleolithic era. Bows were usually made of bamboo or wood, while for the bowstring, cow's sinew, deerskin or even silk were used. Traditional Chinese bows and arrows, often used by the front line of attackers on the battlefield. The arrow could fly 100 meters, and an experienced archer would shoot about 10 arrows per minute.
But ordinary arrows were light and could not do much harm to a soldier in armor. More powerful than the bow was the mechanistic crossbow. He fired heavier arrows, farther and more accurate. Some crossbows could fire five arrows at once. Chinese soldiers began using crossbows a thousand years earlier than Europeans and used them until the very end of the 19th century.
Antler
Unusual exotic weapons were very popular in China, weapons that did not look like weapons gave a huge advantage to their owner. The Deer Horn is considered an exotic weapon, its blades are used in pairs, one for each hand. Each blade had three sharp edges and seven cutting edges that could inflict mortal wounds from all directions.
Shuanggou are hooked swords with a sickle-shaped blade at the hilt. These are practically four types of weapons in one. A warrior armed with such a strange weapon was able to fight at different distances both close and at a distance from the enemy at the distance of the tip of the sword.
Let's pay attention to the structure of the sword. The classic Shuanggou pattern was flat along its entire length, which was about one meter. The stabbing point, as we are used to imagining an ordinary sword, was absent, it ended in a bend in the form of a hook-type hook, and the pommel of the handle ended with a dagger blade. The handle itself was wrapped in cloth or leather for a better grip. The guard or tsuba as such was absent, it was replaced by a forged brass knuckle, which was attached in the area of the handle with the help of two fasteners and resembled a month in shape, with its sharp ends pointing outward. Such a guard covered the fingers of the hands, or, when turning the blade along the hand, protected the hand. Such a weapon and sharpening was very peculiar. The front part of the blade, the concave part of the "guard", the pommel of the handle and the outer side of the hook were sharpened.
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List of Kung Fu & Chinese Martial Arts Weapons This page provides details on a variety of traditional Kung Fu and Chinese martial arts weapons such as the Jian (sword), Jiu Jie Bian (chain whip) and Liu Xing Chui (meteor hammer). There are a huge variety of Kung Fu styles. Some styles do not use any weapons whereas others specialize in weapons training. Traditional Chinese Martial Arts Weapons
Shaolin Weapons Demonstration References
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