Ancient Chinese Weapons: A Martial Arts Guide [Paperback]

Jwing-Ming Yang (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 9, 1999

Many martial artists, once they reach a certain level of proficiency with their barehanded fighting forms, choose to expand their knowledge to include weapons techniques. But what weapon to choose? Over the past 5,000 years, the Chinese have developed a vast array of weapons, built for a multitude of purposes. What are these purposes? What is the background of these weapons? What weapon is right for you? Ancient Chinese Weapons: A Martial Artists Guide is an easy reference guide. Profusely illustrated, easy to navigate, and conveniently broken down into four main classifications: Long Weapons, Short Weapons, Soft Weapons, and Projectile / Thrown Weapons. Inside you will find weapons of many types, from swords and spears, sharpened coins to flying claws! Even if you're not a martial artist, but have an interest in history and warfare, you'll find this guide an invaluable resource. -Includes techniques and fighting strategy -History and evolution of weapons -Translations of Chinese terms -Over 130 illustrations

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Inside Kung Fu magazine, February 2008, named Dr. Yang as Man of the Year 2007. The article written by Dave Cater describes Dr. Yang as having been an industry leader for years and one of the 100 people who made the greatest impact in martial arts in the past 100 years. Dr. Yang was previously named Man of the Year in 1991 by Inside Kung Fu magazine, and Kung Fu Artist of the Year in 2003 by Black Belt magazine.

About the Author

Yang, Jwing-Ming Ph.D., is a renowned author and teacher of Chinese martial arts and Qigong. Born in Taiwan, he has trained and taught Taijiquan, Qigong and Chinese martial arts for over forty-five years. He is the author of 30 books, 40 DVDs, and established 50 martial arts schools in 16 countries. In the February 2008 issue of Kung Fu magazine, he was named as Man of the Year 2007. Inside Kung Fu magazine stated he is one of the 100 people who made the greatest impact on martial arts in the past 100 years. He was previously named Man of the Year in 1991 by Inside Kung Fu magazine and in 2003 Black Belt magazine named him Kung Fu Artist of the Year. Dr. Yang lives in Newton, Massachusetts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 142 pages
• Publisher: Ymaa Publication Center; 2nd Edition edition (March 9, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1886969671
• ISBN-13: 978-1886969674
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #120,201 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > History > Ancient > China
  • #81 in Books > History > Military > Weapons & Warfare > Conventional

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars the Scud missile of arms and armor reference books..., July 2, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Ancient Chinese Weapons: A Martial Arts Guide (Paperback)

...as in "inaccurate and of limited effectiveness". Though intended as an introduction to the subject, this book is so superficial and shoddily-written that it misleads more than it educates the reader. Although a table of Chinese characters is included, a non-Chinese reader will be confused and misinformed by the non-standard transliterations of terms used by the author. There are some weapons, such as dart-launching devices, which are found in kung fu movies and old fables. In several cases (such as seen under the entry for "halberd", the same name is applied to arms whose configurations are distinctly different, and which in old military texts such as the WUJING ZONGYAO and WUBEIZHI are described with different names. The author also seems unaware that a weapon he calls the "Guandao" is never called that in classic military books; the proper term is "Yinyuedao" (reclining moon knife). The classification of sabers (the author calls them "dau") is hopelessly inadequate. It does not cover the principal blade shapes nor does it address handle length. The author's implying that they are "wide bladed" is ludricous since this ignores the fact that most types of sabers used during the late Imperial period (the liuyedao, yanmaodao, piandao, zhanmadao, miaodao, and others) had relatively narrow blades which tapered to a point. [A far better introduction to Chinese sabers can be found in Philip Tom's "Some Notable Sabers of the Qing Dynasty at the Metropolitan Museum of Art", Metropolitan Museum JOURNAL., Vol. 36. For edged weapons of a much earlier period, try Yang Hong's WEAPONS IN ANCIENT CHINA, NY/Beijing: Science Press 1992]. These are just a few examples which hopefully will persuade potential buyers to pass on this turkey and keep their wallets in their pockets.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A visually striking survey, December 23, 2003

By 

Michael J. Mazza - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ancient Chinese Weapons: A Martial Arts Guide (Paperback)

"Ancient Chinese Weapons: A Martial Artist's Guide," by Jwing-Ming Yang, is a survey of a large number of weapons. The book is full of drawings and informative text. Spears, sabers, tridents, shields, and other types of offensive and defensive devices are covered.

In addition to discussing more familiar types of weapons, the book depicts such bizarre looking devices as the Wolf Brush, the Iron Claw and the Flying Claw. There are also weapons with such evocative names as the Heaven-Earth Sun-Moon Saber and the Zi Wu Mandarin Duck Axe. Particularly interesting is the coverage of non-weapons that evolved into weapons, such as cymbals or chopsticks. The book is clearly written, logically organized, and visually appealing.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An informative reference for students of the martial arts, March 19, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ancient Chinese Weapons: A Martial Arts Guide (Paperback)

Over the past five thousand years the Chinese have development a vast array of hand weapons. Ancient Chinese Weapons: A Martial Artist's Guide is an easy, "user friendly" reference guide enabling the student to locate any weapon within seconds. Illustrated throughout with 130 depictions, Ancient Chinese Weapons is broken down into four main classifications: Long Weapons, Short Weapons; Soft Weapons, Projectile/Thrown Weapons. Also included with weaponry descriptions are techniques and fighting strategy, a history and evolution of the weapons, translations of Chinese terminology. Ancient Chinese Weapons will prove an invaluable, informative reference for students of the martial arts, Chinese studies, and Asian military histories.