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Thursday, July 30, 2009
I have learnt a lot of things from this project. This project made us bond closer to one another. I
have also learnt about the pas of China and what weapons they used and their military. Lucas is the group's leader and he has very good leadership skills.
have also learnt about the pas of China and what weapons they used and their military. Lucas is the group's leader and he has very good leadership skills.
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8:12 PM
lucas is better at blogs and i have no idea how a blog work or even how to edit it so lucas is in charge of the blog the post .lucas had put in a large effort to make the blog. this project teach how to edit hte blog .
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8:12 PM
It was a very fun project as me and my groupmates worked well together. Lucas did the most work, but Andy, Ivan and I did contribute a little. Although we are already good friends, the projects did bring us together, it was a success. Lucas and I did the blogskins while Andy and Ivan did the planning. It was really fun and I enjoyed every moment.
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8:02 PM
I felt that this project was a really fun project and the group worked quite well togerther too.Although we had somr disagreements, we still made up our minds in the end,well, i practically did everything myself but the others did help so i cant say that i did it all.I thought that the project brought us together closer as friends and classmates.I felt that the project was quite meaningful and it bonded us closer together. Andy and ivan did the planning while me and Jun heng did the blogskins.Overall, i felt it was a really good project and it was very fun.
Lucas
Lucas
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8:00 PM
Friday, July 10, 2009
Ancient chinese weapons
Dao (saber)
Dao is the most widely used weapon, in part due to the fact that it is generic term given to many different weapons. It is usually referred as the first of the "eighteen kinds of weapons." Most weapons that have blades and are used to slice, cut, hack, and chop are considered to be dao. It can be short, in which case the blade is attached to a handle. It can also be long, in which case the blade is attached to a long shaft. Some weapons, such as broadswords, are still considered dao, even though their English names suggest otherwise.
Dao was first used in China during its bronze age. During and after the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC-771 BC), it was briefly replaced by bronze jian (sword), which is easier to wield in combat. During the seven years of turmoil which resulted in the end of the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-206 BC) and the beginning of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), the importance of cavalry increased dramatically and jian, used primarily to stab, was no longer adequate. During that time, long dao, which has a one sided blade attached to a long shaft, was popularized. Short dao, or the broadsword, was also frequently seen among infantry. Dao remained in use in Chinese armies until the twentieth century.
Qiang (spear)
Qiang is one of the long weapons that evolved from mao. It is commonly referred to as the "king of the hundred weapons". It is basically a long shaft with a steel or bronze tip.
Qiang is one of the longest used weapons in China. It was first used during prehistoric times in the mao form. It was popularized during the Shang Dynasty (17th century BC-11th century BC) and had a bronze tip. The bronze tip was replaced by a steel one towards the end of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 BC-256 BC). During the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), ji (halberd) fell out of use in war and qiang became the most important long weapon. It was coexisted for a time along with firearms and was used until the end of the Qing Dynasty (1616-1911).
Jian (sword)
Jian is often called the "sovereign of blades".
Jian was most commonly used during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 BC-256 BC). According to historical records, many famous jian of great quality were made during this time at the requests of the emperors and dukes. Many famous works were also produced regarding swordsmanship, such as Yue Nu Jian (Yue Nu Sword) from the Spring and Autumn Era of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty and Jian Dao (Way of the Sword) from the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25). Although by the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) jian is no longer used in war, men of position still wear it to show their stature, Daoists still use it to begin incantations, and martial artists still use it in combat. Because martial artists still use it in combat, many styles of swordsmanship gradually evolved. For example, there is Tai Ji Jian (Tai Chi Sword), Wudang Jian (Wudang Sword), and Zui Jian (Drunken Sword).
Tai Ji Jian (Tai Chi Sword) Wudang Jian (Wudang Sword) Zui Jian (Drunken Sword)
Ji (halberd)
Ji is a weapon with a steel or bronze tip mounted on the end of a long shaft, next to which is attached a curved blade. Because of the attachment of the curved blade, the weapon can be used to both stab and slash. The shaft of ji used in chariots is longer than those used by infantry and cavalry. When two curved blades are attached on opposite sides of the tip, the weapon is referred to as double ji.
Ji was first used during the Shang Dynasty (17th century BC-11th century BC), when it was made of bronze. It was popularized during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 BC-256 BC), when it was made of steel instead. By the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), it fell out of use in war, and by the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589) it was replaced in its entirety by qiang (spear). Afterwards, it was used only as a weapon carried by ceremonial guards and as a weapon for martial artists.
Dao (saber)
Dao is the most widely used weapon, in part due to the fact that it is generic term given to many different weapons. It is usually referred as the first of the "eighteen kinds of weapons." Most weapons that have blades and are used to slice, cut, hack, and chop are considered to be dao. It can be short, in which case the blade is attached to a handle. It can also be long, in which case the blade is attached to a long shaft. Some weapons, such as broadswords, are still considered dao, even though their English names suggest otherwise.
Dao was first used in China during its bronze age. During and after the Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC-771 BC), it was briefly replaced by bronze jian (sword), which is easier to wield in combat. During the seven years of turmoil which resulted in the end of the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-206 BC) and the beginning of the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), the importance of cavalry increased dramatically and jian, used primarily to stab, was no longer adequate. During that time, long dao, which has a one sided blade attached to a long shaft, was popularized. Short dao, or the broadsword, was also frequently seen among infantry. Dao remained in use in Chinese armies until the twentieth century.
Qiang (spear)
Qiang is one of the long weapons that evolved from mao. It is commonly referred to as the "king of the hundred weapons". It is basically a long shaft with a steel or bronze tip.
Qiang is one of the longest used weapons in China. It was first used during prehistoric times in the mao form. It was popularized during the Shang Dynasty (17th century BC-11th century BC) and had a bronze tip. The bronze tip was replaced by a steel one towards the end of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 BC-256 BC). During the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), ji (halberd) fell out of use in war and qiang became the most important long weapon. It was coexisted for a time along with firearms and was used until the end of the Qing Dynasty (1616-1911).
Jian (sword)
Jian is often called the "sovereign of blades".
Jian was most commonly used during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 BC-256 BC). According to historical records, many famous jian of great quality were made during this time at the requests of the emperors and dukes. Many famous works were also produced regarding swordsmanship, such as Yue Nu Jian (Yue Nu Sword) from the Spring and Autumn Era of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty and Jian Dao (Way of the Sword) from the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25). Although by the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) jian is no longer used in war, men of position still wear it to show their stature, Daoists still use it to begin incantations, and martial artists still use it in combat. Because martial artists still use it in combat, many styles of swordsmanship gradually evolved. For example, there is Tai Ji Jian (Tai Chi Sword), Wudang Jian (Wudang Sword), and Zui Jian (Drunken Sword).
Tai Ji Jian (Tai Chi Sword) Wudang Jian (Wudang Sword) Zui Jian (Drunken Sword)
Ji (halberd)
Ji is a weapon with a steel or bronze tip mounted on the end of a long shaft, next to which is attached a curved blade. Because of the attachment of the curved blade, the weapon can be used to both stab and slash. The shaft of ji used in chariots is longer than those used by infantry and cavalry. When two curved blades are attached on opposite sides of the tip, the weapon is referred to as double ji.
Ji was first used during the Shang Dynasty (17th century BC-11th century BC), when it was made of bronze. It was popularized during the Eastern Zhou Dynasty (770 BC-256 BC), when it was made of steel instead. By the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 25), it fell out of use in war, and by the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589) it was replaced in its entirety by qiang (spear). Afterwards, it was used only as a weapon carried by ceremonial guards and as a weapon for martial artists.
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5:37 AM
Chinese tactics can range from infantry to cavalry, depending on the enemies they are fighting against. It can range from open warfare to siege warfare, from attack to defence, from encirclement to ambush tactics , from scouting to raiding tactics, from luring to intercepting logistics supply etc. The great development of cavalry tactics during Han dynasty allowed Chinese army to be highly mobile.
Chinese tactics before Spring/Autumn period were predominantly based on chariot warfare. Spring/Autumn and Warring States period were predominantly based on infantry/chariots warfare with cavalry used predominantly for scouting. After Han dynasty, cavalry became predominantly used as an attack force with great development in cavalry tactics.
Han tactics were predominantly based on light cavalry tactics, which the Han learned from fighting against Nomadic steppes horse-based enemies such as Xiongnu (Huns). The military threats from the Northern Nomadic tribes forced the Chinese Han armies to develop various cavalry tactics, such as:
1. Pre-emptive strike tactics
2. long-distance flanking tactics (developed by General Huo Qubing) emphasizing speed of attack, raiding, encirclement, ambush etc. Light cavalry forces are small but well-equipped with cavalry swordsmen, pikesmen, cavalry spearman, cavalry logistics/doctors etc.
3. Cavalry maneuver tactics (i.e. moving the cavalry in such a way that either tricks the enemy to mobilize the troops to move into a trap/objective or to move the cavalry in various ways to confuse the enemy, such that the enemy does not know your real intention, for e.g. where you are going to attack, where your main forces are)
3. isolation tactics (cutting off enemy's cavalry re-inforcement)
4. tactics of attacking/controlling enemy's forage/food center or cutting off food supply line .
This is the story of how one of the most amazing structures and war tactic came about.
In 700 BCE, China was separated into several smaller states. 500 years later, there were only two remaining, the Qin and the Chu. In 226 BCE, the two groups fought, and, in the end, the Qin defeated the Chu. Qin Chi Wong became the first emperor of the Qin dynasty and he built the first Wall.
The building of t
he Wall spanned through three dynasties and constant attacks. These three dynasties were: the Qin, The Han and the Ming. The Wall was built mainly for protection against invaders who wanted to take over China. Over the years many new tactics and weapons were invented and the Chinese soon became the most advanced civilization in the world.
However the great costs of the Wall would ultimately lead to its neglect. The Qin Wall alone would cost about 260 billion dollars to rebuild today. The whole Wall would cost about 380 billion dollars to rebuild today. In addition, it is estimated that about 8 million people died in the construction of The Wall (about one person for every yard).
"To defeat your enemy in every battle is good. But the sweetest victory is to subdue your enemy without going to war and without the loss of even one single life!"
- Sun Wu (Sun Zi)
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5:13 AM
Hey, welcome to our blog,This blog is about ancient china's military tactics and wepons, for a start we will take a look at the battle formations usually found in a chinese army.
The Wu 伍 - five-man squad in line astern.
The Dui 队 - 10 Wu in line abreast (5 men deep and 10 across) 50 men
The Bo 伯 - Two Dui in line abreast (5 men deep and 20 across) or line astern (a square 10 men deep and 10 across) 100 men
The Qu 曲 - Two Bo in line abreast (5 men deep and 40 across) or line astern (20 men deep and 10 across) 200 men
The Square 方阵 - made up of several rows of Qu, with the HQ in the middle of the rear row. Not necessarily a true square, can be rectangular. A favourite tactic was to place stronger Qu on the flanks, and then lure the enemy to attack the centre and be outflanked.
The Circle 圆阵 - a Qu reformed into a ring, with the HQ protected within it. A highly defensive formation.
Dispersed Formation 疏阵 - increasing the distance between individual Qu in a square, so as to mislead the enemy or divide his forces.
Close Formation 数阵 - decreasing the distance between individual Qu in a square, for strength in close-quarter fighting.
The Awl 锥(zhui)行之阵 - A wedge (triangle with one point facing forward), a highly offensive formation. Also known in later history as the Male Formation 牝(pin)阵 (you'll see why later).
The Wild-Goose-Flight Formation 雁(yan)行之阵 - A V-formation with two wings for enveloping the enemy and the HQ in the middle. Or an inverted-V for a defensive formation that can quickly be converted to offensive wedge. The V-formation can also be modified into a flattened U known as the Basket Formation 箕(ji)形阵 or Female Formation 牡(mu)阵, for luring enemy wedges into the centre and then enveloping them.
The Hook Formation 钩行之阵 - A line abreast with the two ends sloping inwards to avoid being flanked. Probably most suitable for archers or crossbowmen.
The Wu 伍 - five-man squad in line astern.
The Dui 队 - 10 Wu in line abreast (5 men deep and 10 across) 50 men
The Bo 伯 - Two Dui in line abreast (5 men deep and 20 across) or line astern (a square 10 men deep and 10 across) 100 men
The Qu 曲 - Two Bo in line abreast (5 men deep and 40 across) or line astern (20 men deep and 10 across) 200 men
The Square 方阵 - made up of several rows of Qu, with the HQ in the middle of the rear row. Not necessarily a true square, can be rectangular. A favourite tactic was to place stronger Qu on the flanks, and then lure the enemy to attack the centre and be outflanked.
The Circle 圆阵 - a Qu reformed into a ring, with the HQ protected within it. A highly defensive formation.
Dispersed Formation 疏阵 - increasing the distance between individual Qu in a square, so as to mislead the enemy or divide his forces.
Close Formation 数阵 - decreasing the distance between individual Qu in a square, for strength in close-quarter fighting.
The Awl 锥(zhui)行之阵 - A wedge (triangle with one point facing forward), a highly offensive formation. Also known in later history as the Male Formation 牝(pin)阵 (you'll see why later).
The Wild-Goose-Flight Formation 雁(yan)行之阵 - A V-formation with two wings for enveloping the enemy and the HQ in the middle. Or an inverted-V for a defensive formation that can quickly be converted to offensive wedge. The V-formation can also be modified into a flattened U known as the Basket Formation 箕(ji)形阵 or Female Formation 牡(mu)阵, for luring enemy wedges into the centre and then enveloping them.
The Hook Formation 钩行之阵 - A line abreast with the two ends sloping inwards to avoid being flanked. Probably most suitable for archers or crossbowmen.
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5:08 AM