Ancient Chinese Weapons, Second Edition: The Martial Arts Guide (Paperback)

by Yang Jwing-Ming (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
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.

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: YMAA Publication Center; illustrated edition edition (June 25, 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.com Sales Rank: #958,751 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 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

...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.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Folklore that is Not Historically Accurate, June 21, 2004

By A Customer

Though popular with Martial Artists unfamiliar with Chinese History, this book is so full or errors that it should not be kept in print. The entire work seems to be based on little more than the folklore surrounding Chinese martial arts. The author did not consult primary Chinese langauge sources (even though he is Chinese) and has no bibliography AT ALL. For accuarte information concerning Chinese Arms and Swordsmanship see the Chinese Swords and Swordsmanship Forum at: www.swordforum.com

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars basic introduction, March 27, 2000

By A Customer

This book is a comprehensive catalog of Chinese weapons, with historical reference about its origins. Don't expect an explanation about weapon techniques, like those in others books of Dr. Yang (taiji chin na, Tai Chi theory & Martial Power). After you read this book you know that almost every thing was used for fighting purposes. Is for you, only if you're fan of martial weapons, and want a basic introduction to: long weapons, short weapons, soft weapons, projectile and throwing weapons, shields and armor.