Question: Chinese spears

Timo Nieminen · 6th June 2013, 09:31 AM

The relevant spear material from Muye Dobo Tongji. This is from the Kim translation, and the Chinese is not available, only the English. I believe this is translated into English from a Korean translation, rather than directly from the original Chinese.

(a) The best wood is yew. Spruce is too flexible, and bamboo is too soft.

(b) Jillyo wood is best, then mulberry, then armor maple. Nothing else can be used.

(c) The best wood is jumok (ju wood, might be white oak), then bipa wood which is similar to oak, then palm tree.

A couple of other woods are named (only Korean names are given). From the further description, one might be white waxwood.

Jillyo might be 柘條木 (zhe wood), it is described as thorny.

Bamboo pole and laminated bamboo spears were used.

Butt spikes are used. Pointed, and copper (bronze?). All spears, except bamboo spears, are shown with butt spikes in the illustrations.

Timo Nieminen · 6th June 2013, 09:55 AM

Spears in Qing art. Source: This (and the rest of the volumes) is the source.

(a) 18th century, Luoluo people in Yunnan. Spears about 8' long, heads might be single-edged. Steel/iron butt spikes.

(b) 1793, war against Gurkhas. Spears are about 10' long, heads are long, maybe 10" blades, parallel sides. Red tassels at base of head, no butt spikes.

(c) 1829, suppression of rebellion in Xinjiang. Spears as above.

(d) Some enlarged details of some paintings are shown, but the sources are not given. One series, which appear to be about the defeat of the Zunghars, has spears of about 10', red tassels, diamond-shaped heads. In other details, spears are shown with no tassels, a sleeve about the blade end of the haft, and butt spikes.

6th June 2013, 09:31 AM	#1
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	The relevant spear material from Muye Dobo Tongji. This is from the Kim translation, and the Chinese is not available, only the English. I believe this is translated into English from a Korean translation, rather than directly from the original Chinese. (a) The best wood is yew. Spruce is too flexible, and bamboo is too soft. (b) Jillyo wood is best, then mulberry, then armor maple. Nothing else can be used. (c) The best wood is jumok (ju wood, might be white oak), then bipa wood which is similar to oak, then palm tree. A couple of other woods are named (only Korean names are given). From the further description, one might be white waxwood. Jillyo might be 柘條木 (zhe wood), it is described as thorny. Bamboo pole and laminated bamboo spears were used. Butt spikes are used. Pointed, and copper (bronze?). All spears, except bamboo spears, are shown with butt spikes in the illustrations.

6th June 2013, 09:55 AM	#2
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	Spears in Qing art. Source: This (and the rest of the volumes) is the source. (a) 18th century, Luoluo people in Yunnan. Spears about 8' long, heads might be single-edged. Steel/iron butt spikes. (b) 1793, war against Gurkhas. Spears are about 10' long, heads are long, maybe 10" blades, parallel sides. Red tassels at base of head, no butt spikes. (c) 1829, suppression of rebellion in Xinjiang. Spears as above. (d) Some enlarged details of some paintings are shown, but the sources are not given. One series, which appear to be about the defeat of the Zunghars, has spears of about 10', red tassels, diamond-shaped heads. In other details, spears are shown with no tassels, a sleeve about the blade end of the haft, and butt spikes.