greatmingmilitary

[Archive] Equipment of a Ming soldier — Archer

Added 2023-12-12 03:25:24 +0000 UTC

Note: This is an outdated version of my article about Ming period archery equipment, kept here for archival purpose. Current version of the same article can be read here.

Basic equipment

Basic equipment of a Ming archer include:

Gong Dai (弓袋, bow bag): Bow holster. It is also known as Gong Shu (弓蜀), Gong Cha (弓靫) and Gong Chang (弓韔).
Jian Tong (箭筒, lit. 'Arrow cylinder'): Quiver. It is also known as Jian Dai (箭袋, arrow bag), Jian Cha (箭靫), Jian Hu (箭壺, arrow jug), Hu Lu (胡簶, quiver) and Gong Jian Hu Lu (弓箭葫蘆, lit. 'Arrow gourd').
Shou Xiu (手袖, lit. 'Hand sleeve'): Archery bracer. Chinese archery bracer is usually made of fabric material.
Zhi Ji (指機, lit. 'Finger machine'): Archery thumb ring, also known as She (韘). Thumb ring with tab and groove is known as Ma Ti Ji (馬蹄機, lit. 'Horse hoof machine').