Ancient Chinese Weapons: A Martial Arts Guide

By Yang Jwing-Ming

Many martial artists, once they reach a certain level of proficiency with their barehanded fighting forms, choose to expand their knowledge to include weapons techniques. But what weapon to choose? Over the past 5,000 years, the Chinese have developed a vast array of weapons, built for a multitude of purposes. What are these purposes? What is the background of these weapons? What weapon is right for you?Ancient Chinese Weapons: A Martial Artists Guide is an easy reference guide. Profusely illustrated, easy to navigate, and conveniently broken down into four main classifications: Long Weapons, Short Weapons, Soft Weapons, and Projectile / Thrown Weapons.Inside you will find weapons of many types, from swords and spears, sharpened coins to flying claws Even if you're not a martial artist, but have an interest in history and warfare, you'll find this guide an invaluable resource.Includes techniques and fighting strategy.History and evolution of weapons.Translations of Chinese terms.Over 130 illustrations.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1886969671
• ISBN13: 9781886969674
• Release Date: April 1999
• Publisher: YMAA Publication Center
• Length: 142 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 7.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Weapons of legend . . .

My first introduction to this subject was from an obscure text by Douglas H.Y. Hsieh entitled "Ancient Chinese Hidden Weapons" -- which was quite a disappointment, as I'd been expecting accurate detailed information about unusual Kung Fu weaponry and received basically a pamphlet full of glaring inaccuracies and untruths presented as fact. Fortunately, ANCIENT CHINESE WEAPONS by the respected Dr Yang, Jwing-Ming was much better. ANCIENT CHINESE WEAPONS is an oversized softcover book, 140 pages in length, and is broken up into a variety of sections: Introduction, Long Weapons, Short Weapons, Soft Weapons, Projectile & Throwing Weapons, Shields & Armor, and Conclusion. A few other reviewers have noted that Jwing-Ming may've made some errors in translation or interpretation of certain texts and failed to include an annotated bibliography. This does seem to be the case, but at least the author does include statements like: "X probably originated at the time of the Huang Di Dynasty", "this weapon might have been created during the Song Dynasty", "X was probably imported from Tibet", and often "The history and other details are unknown" -- all of which are far preferable to just inventing spurious "facts", as so many others have done. The hundreds of pen & ink illustrations are highly detailed and very well done. Whenever possible, origins and usage of the weapons are detailed. There is a wealth of data here, especially as pertains to rare polearms and exotic flexible weapons. Unfortunately, a small number of these legendary weapons appear to be mythological rather than historic. A few examples would be the "step crossbow" (fired by stepping on the stirrup of a horse saddle), the spring-fired "sleeve arrow", and the "flying claw" with flexible graping fingers. Other little-known weapons which were initially assumed to be fictional (i.e., "plum flower needles") are so well explained as to become feasible. This was an enjoyable read, and a much needed contribution to the literature of Martial Arts weaponry.

A visually striking survey

"Ancient Chinese Weapons: A Martial Artist's Guide," by Jwing-Ming Yang, is a survey of a large number of weapons. The book is full of drawings and informative text. Spears, sabers, tridents, shields, and other types of offensive and defensive devices are covered.In addition to discussing more familiar types of weapons, the book depicts such bizarre looking devices as the Wolf Brush, the Iron Claw and the Flying Claw. There are also weapons with such evocative names as the Heaven-Earth Sun-Moon Saber and the Zi Wu Mandarin Duck Axe. Particularly interesting is the coverage of non-weapons that evolved into weapons, such as cymbals or chopsticks. The book is clearly written, logically organized, and visually appealing.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrreat!

This book is essential for every martial artist or anyone interested in ancient weapons. True, this book does not supply the reader with any technique, but it covers the history and development of every weapon I can think of . It is written clearly, with large illustrations. What more, It gives you the English and Chinese name of the weapon, as well as the Chinese character. Dr. Yang certainly knows what he's talking about. All around, an excellent, comprehensible reference on ancient chinese weapons.

An informative reference for students of the martial arts

Over the past five thousand years the Chinese have development a vast array of hand weapons. Ancient Chinese Weapons: A Martial Artist's Guide is an easy, "user friendly" reference guide enabling the student to locate any weapon within seconds. Illustrated throughout with 130 depictions, Ancient Chinese Weapons is broken down into four main classifications: Long Weapons, Short Weapons; Soft Weapons, Projectile/Thrown Weapons. Also included with weaponry descriptions are techniques and fighting strategy, a history and evolution of the weapons, translations of Chinese terminology. Ancient Chinese Weapons will prove an invaluable, informative reference for students of the martial arts, Chinese studies, and Asian military histories.