Find translations of Many Ming Dynasty and Republic era texts.
Often, when we speak of ancient martial arts and how it was used, we speak of swords and blades and other melee weapons. In China, there is of course a long history of swords and sabers. From the dueling culture of the Han (202 BC–220 AD), through the development of advanced metal working techniques through to… Continue reading Xin You Dao in Wu Bei Zhi:辛酉刀法武備志
In the massive military encyclopedia from China, the Wubei Zhi武備志, there are many contributions from other works and authors. Principle among these is Qi Jiguang. Mao Yuanyi included many sections from his works. Even taking works of authors Qi himself appropriated (copyright is not a concept that is valid in this discussion as it was… Continue reading Shield: Wubei Zhi 牌：武備志
The Ming dynasty of China is one of the most impactful and formational periods in later Chinese history. Many great accomplishments came from the era, spurred on by a tumultuous society in flux. Toward the later part of the period a few things came together that are of massive importance to us in the Chinese… Continue reading Jian Jing劍經: Part 1-Preface
Here is the last portion of Dan Dao Fa Xuan. These sections layout a set or routine to be practiced. As stated before, Cheng Zongyou revolutionized this text by including direct, non poetic descriptions of the movements. This continues in this section and provides one of the first clear, strep by step instructions of a… Continue reading Dan Dao Fa Xuan: Part 3
Here is the first section of the main portion of the text. This section introduces the basic maneuvers used in with the weapon and some of the strategy that goes along with it. These techniques do not all follow from each other as in the form presented in the next section. They can however be… Continue reading Dan Dao Fa Xuan: part 2
Terra Prime Fighting Words 