Tie Bian (Iron Whip) Chinese baton (bian) 18th – 19th century – Credits: Met MuseumĪnother type of Chinese bar mace, the tie bian (鐵鞭) or iron whip is recognized for its ornamental bamboo-section designs. They were efficient for hitting and smashing an opponent and stopping an attacker without killing him. However, shorter versions of tie jian probably served as batons of escorts and bodyguards and were non-lethal. By the Qing dynasty, single-handed versions were more common. During the Ming dynasty, the military used large two-handed versions of tie jian. In the West, the tie jian is regarded as a type of Chinese sword breaker-a heavy weapon capable of breaking swords and other weapons. The name iron rod is a reference to its plain metal rod. They were typically made from iron and called tie jian (鐵鐧) or “iron rod,” but there were also tong jian (bronze rod). The term jian (鐧), written in a different character from the sword (劍), is also used to describe a heavy bar mace with a smooth rod. 6. Tie Jian (Iron Rod) Chinese Mace 18th – 19th century – Credits: Met Museum These weapons are less popular in kung fu, though many practitioners utilize them in strength training. However, the sword allowed more precision than a short ax. Its heavy ax head was efficient against armor compared to a sword. Fu (Short Axe) Chinese ax-head 15th – 18th century – Credits: Met MuseumĬommonly used in pairs, the short ax ( fu,斧) was developed from the earlier long battle axes used in horseback fighting. These hooks are among the weapons of Shaolin monks and common in Baguazhang. They served as a multipurpose weapon for disarming and attacking an opponent. These weapons feature a crescent-shaped handle and a hooked tip that resembles a crowbar. When used in pairs, they are referred to as shuang gou, meaning double hooks. 4. Gou (Hook) Chinese hook sword with a crescent guard – Credits: Mandarin Mansion AntiquesĬhinese hook swords are widely called gou (钩), a term that translates to “hook”. On the other hand, the broader types were efficient for disabling opponents without killing them and remain popular today among martial artists. The narrow types were efficient for heavy cuts and were likely to be used by the Chinese military units and the local militia. They featured distinctive D-shaped guards, though their blades came in various forms. These weapons developed due to merging typical Chinese fighting knife blades with Western-inspired hilts. Widely referred to as butterfly swords, the hu die dao (蝴蝶刀) is a type of double saber. 3. Hu Die Dao (Butterfly Saber) Hudiedao set with scabbard – Credits: Mandarin Mansion Antiques A duan dao (短刀)was a shorter variation of the regular saber, and its shorter length allowed it to be thrown or used in pairs. There were various types of dao, with the earlier ones being straight and the later ones being curved. It served as a slashing, cutting, and hacking weapon. The term dao (刀) refers to a single-edged Chinese saber, commonly known as a broadsword. 2. Dao (Saber) Early Chinese duǎndāo – Credits: Mandarin Mansion Antiques These short swords were also used as double weapons called shuang jian (双剑). Shorter than the regular sword, the duan jian (短剑) also served as a throwing weapon by adding a piece of cloth to the pommel. It served as a primary weapon, though its shorter variety, the duan jian, could be hidden and carried as a secondary weapon. Martial art practitioners considered it the king of short weapons due to its versatility. The term jian (劍) refers to the straight and double-edged Chinese sword. 1. Jian (Sword) Chinese sword with scabbard, 17th century – Credits: Met Museum Generally, the length of short weapons ranged from 2 to 5 chi (about 66 to 166 centimeters or 26 to 65 inches), while very short weapons were no longer than the distance from the elbow to the hand. However, they were mostly used for defense rather than attack and are therefore, impractical for large-scale battles. Short WeaponsĪll short weapons were more efficient at short-range combat and easy to carry. Generally, they can be divided into four main classifications: short weapons, long weapons, soft weapons, and projectile or throwing weapons. There are various types of weapons used throughout Chinese martial arts history. Learn more about the different types of traditional Chinese weapons, their history, and use in martial arts. Others can also be utilized from long distances or in a surprise attack. A secondary weapon such as a chain or a whip could be used in case the primary weapon is lost. This would consist of a primary weapon such as a staff, spear, sword, or saber, in which one was most skilled. When preparing for battle in China, traditional martial practitioners carried at least three kinds of traditional Chinese weapons.
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