Chinese Smoking Pipe/Cudgel

Jim McDougall · 11th October 2008, 01:00 AM

Very esoteric topic!!!! and most interesting examples of weapons curiosa.

The Chinese opium den is almost cliche' in romantic literature and narrative, and these pipes are fascinating. I had not heard of them used as weapons, but as presented here, completely understandable. It seems that when it comes right down to it, nearly anything can become a 'weapon of opportunity', noting the martial art using fans as one example.

The weaponry of the ascetic fakirs in India seem to have remarkable similarity in concept, with the dagger concealed in one form of pipe shown here.

While noting the combination use of the Chinese pipe, I could not resist thinking of the Native American 'peace pipe' tomahawk. These Plains Indian items had the poll of the axe head in the form of a small pipe bowl, and these were highly symbolic in ceremony, and as a tool and weapon.
From what I understand, the 'tomahawk' (Algonquin, -tamahak) form of the 'calumet' (Fr.=reed) peace pipe, did not present until post contact.

Whenever these interesting socio-anthropological features are brought together in discussion noting similarity, it is fascinating to consider the dynamics of cross cultural influences.

......'ere!

All the best,
Jim

josh stout · 17th October 2008, 06:28 PM

There is a story that the founder of my style of kungfu met an old opium addict sitting against a wall smoking a long pipe. They got to talking, and the old man asked for a friendly sparring match. This was a bit unusual as the grand master was a well known expert. The story goes that every time the grand master entered, the old man hit him with the pipe. The old man didn't even stand up. At the end, the grand master had not been able to make the old man move, and the grand master’s arms were covered with small burns from the hot pipe.

Most stories like this are apocryphal, but this is the only one I have ever heard where the grand master does not win. I think there is a good probability it is true with little embellishment.
Josh

11th October 2008, 01:00 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,469	Very esoteric topic!!!! and most interesting examples of weapons curiosa. The Chinese opium den is almost cliche' in romantic literature and narrative, and these pipes are fascinating. I had not heard of them used as weapons, but as presented here, completely understandable. It seems that when it comes right down to it, nearly anything can become a 'weapon of opportunity', noting the martial art using fans as one example. The weaponry of the ascetic fakirs in India seem to have remarkable similarity in concept, with the dagger concealed in one form of pipe shown here. While noting the combination use of the Chinese pipe, I could not resist thinking of the Native American 'peace pipe' tomahawk. These Plains Indian items had the poll of the axe head in the form of a small pipe bowl, and these were highly symbolic in ceremony, and as a tool and weapon. From what I understand, the 'tomahawk' (Algonquin, -tamahak) form of the 'calumet' (Fr.=reed) peace pipe, did not present until post contact. Whenever these interesting socio-anthropological features are brought together in discussion noting similarity, it is fascinating to consider the dynamics of cross cultural influences. ......'ere! All the best, Jim

17th October 2008, 06:28 PM	#2
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	There is a story that the founder of my style of kungfu met an old opium addict sitting against a wall smoking a long pipe. They got to talking, and the old man asked for a friendly sparring match. This was a bit unusual as the grand master was a well known expert. The story goes that every time the grand master entered, the old man hit him with the pipe. The old man didn't even stand up. At the end, the grand master had not been able to make the old man move, and the grand master’s arms were covered with small burns from the hot pipe. Most stories like this are apocryphal, but this is the only one I have ever heard where the grand master does not win. I think there is a good probability it is true with little embellishment. Josh