QING CHINESE ARCHERY
Arrows, Bows and Methods of the MANCHUS
 |
T
raditional Chinese archery is seeing a revival by martial arts enthusiasts. This section of the Chinese Swords Guide will be devoted to the history, art, resurgence, techniques and equipment of Chinese archery.Bows and arrows were once part of the military arsenal of most parts of the world. Although China developed guns very early, their armies continued to use archery as a main defence right into the 1800s. Guns of the time were still quite slow to load, while the bows used in Chinese archery were fast loading, powerful and portable. They were not cheap to produce. The Manchus had developed a recurve bow made of horn, glue, sinew and wood. This took considerable time and craftsmanship, with some parts taking many months to dry.
Today, some wonderful new archery products have been developed in the style of the Manchus. Hand crafted bows are available in a variety of draw weights suitable for beginners through to advanced archers.
For a few hundred dollars, those beginning archery can acquire their bow, string, a set of bamboo arrows and an archery thumb ring. The target might be as simple as a bale of straw from the local plant nursery. Interested people can ask about archery products here sevenstarstradingco@
To shoot in the traditional style of Manchu archery, some instruction will be necessary and those who know how to pass on this knowledge are becoming more numerous. While modern western style bows are a complex composition of sights and counterweights, the bows used in this style of reflex archery are a simple recurve design. There are no sights or markers. It is instinctive archery based on the connected body principles of Chinese martial arts. Many of the techniques learnt practising Chinese swordsmanship and empty hand arts can be successfully employed in Chinese archery.
Once learnt, the archer can use his skills in mounted archery, standing target archery, competition, or archery games. Anyone can learn but we all need to be aware of the potential danger. Bows and arrows are a real weapon, best practised on a designated archery range, or at least in an area set up to catch stray arrows and prevent any danger to people or property.
This section on Chinese archery will be added to over the coming months and years. If you wish to contribute an article, please use the form near the bottom of the page.
 1. Arrowheads  2. Fletching  3. Nock  4. Quiver |
- Variety of arrowheads
Some Manchu arrowheads were made of folded steel. Hunting arrowheads were often shaped to make them spin better in flight. Broad arrows were used in hunting large game and in warfare. - The Feathers
Note the large amount of twist in the arrows' feathers, meant to quickly stabilize the large flat heads. - The Nock
This is a high quality nock. They weren't all so decorative. This arrow might be fired once and never found again, but the armourers took pride in their work. Equipment for Chinese archery all had to be hand made. - Quiver
This quiver is from Scott M Rodell's personal collection. Quivers usually had quilted fabric or felt inside to hold the arrows upright.
Chinese Manchu Archery Facebook
There
is a Facebook page for Chinese Archery. As I write this,
there are over 800 members sharing pictures, history,
experiences and equipment ideas. If you enjoy this page,
you'll love it over there. Come and join us.Click here to find the Chinese Manchu Archery Facebook community.
How to Nock and Load an Arrow
Lesson
1This new article by Sifu Scott M. Rodell explains the technique:
Unlike target archery, Qing era Manchu archery was a martial art. In practical terms, what that meant for the archer, was that he trained to shoot at a target that was shooting back. And that target, constantly changed its position. So just as Bannermen on the battlefield of Qing China, those practicing the Manchu style of archery must draw, nock and shoot without ever taking their eyes off their opponent. In this lesson, we are going to look at the steps used in Manchu archery to draw and nock an arrow. This method is the same for both mounted archers and those on foot..... for the full article click here.
Lesson 2
How to use a Manchu Archery Thumb Ring
The technique is quite different from European style finger pull archery. Manchus, Chinese and Koreans all used different style of thumb rings. Click the link above for the full article.
Qing Archery - The Manchu Martial Art
The stance for the Manchu method of shooting is much like that of many other styles of archery in which both feet are parallel or nearly so.......to read the complete article click here. To return to this page, click the back button in your browser.
Mounted and Foot
Archery Illustrated, Liu Qu, 1722
Translated by Scott M. Rodell with Meilu Chen-Rodell,
copyright 2012
The mounted and foot stance illustrations have thirteen
postures. All (techniques) are based on the Capitol's
Imperial Body Guard. These all have a relationship to
ancient and important principles ..... To
read the complete translation of this early archery
manual, click here. To return to this page, click the
back button in your browser.
If you would like to add an area of expertise on ancient
Chinese archery, swords, military, other weapons, or
anything that would fit in this martial history section,
click on the link below to return to martial History and
enter your article on the form at the bottom of the page.
If you have an addition or correction you would like to
offer for this page on Chinese archery, use the "Contact
us" form on the menu bar.
Do you have an article on Chinese Archery to contribute?
We'd like to hear from you. If you have a well written historical piece, a story of your own training or other related subject, please feel free to subnit it to this page. All articles will be checked for relevance and edited for spelling and readability.
Leave Chinese archery and return to Martial History
Return to
Chinese Swords Guide Home
Subscribe To This Site
Bows for Sale
Qing Conquest Bow available
from Seven Stars Trading Co
This bow sells for $299.99
Click anywhere in this box
Qing Bannerman Military Bow
available from Seven Stars Trading Co
This bow sells for $295.99
Click anywhere in this box
These bannerman Arrows are
available from Seven Stars Trading Co
12 Bannerman Arrows sell for $109.99
Click anywhere in this box