Subject: 民兵 man4bing1 militiaman

Culture: Cantonese Chinese

Setting: Liangguang 19thc

Object: polearms

Royal Armouries Museum > Oriental Gallery *

"Group of staff weapons

A number of sets of staff weapons were copied from the ones preserved in the Imperial Palace at Guangdong (Canton).

Two complete sets were presented to the Royal Armouries, one of them made for a Mr Bouchier Wrey,

while a further set is in the Museum für Volkerkunde in Vienna. The 'Seven star' glaive is inscribed on its haft 'made by Yueli,

West City, Triangle Market, Yanglong Alley'. Some of the originals were said to be datable back to the Sui dynasty (6th century AD),

but since they appear to be lost, their real dates may never be known. They still provide a fascinating insight

into the types of staff weapon in use in China during and before the Ming dynasty (1368-1642)."

"Glaive (sha dao) Chinese, 18th century

This is an example of a late fighting glaive. It was still in use in the 1840s,

as it was probably acquired during the First Opium War of 1840-41." ...

"Left section left to right:

Club of Sui Yun Shing ... Seven star glaive ...

Long handled knife ... Executioner's glaive ...

Phoenix tail glaive ... Arrow headed spear ...

Double crescent halberd (shuan-chi) ...

Whip spear ... Spear ... "

"Glaives (dao) Japanese, 17th century

Weapons of this type, essentially Japanese naginata with mounts designed to appeal to foreign taste,

were made for export to China and other countries of the East Indies.

They formed an important item of trade for raw silk and brocades." ...

"Centre:

Processional fan ...

Processional staff ..."

"Right section left to right:

Single-hooked lance ... Double-hooked spear ...

Five-hooked lance ... Double-hooked spear ...

Leaf-shaped spear ... Eight-diagram spear ...

Spear of Prince Tso ... Cash spear ... Melon mace ..."