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Yang Jwing-Ming
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Ancient Chinese Weapons: A Martial Arts Guide Paperback – April 15, 1999

by Jwing-Ming Yang (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 34 ratings
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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.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    142 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    YMAA Publication Center
  4. Publication date
    April 15, 1999
  5. Dimensions
    7.36 x 0.48 x 9.32 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1886969671
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1886969674
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ancient Chinese Weapons will prove an invaluable, informative reference for students of the martial arts, Chinese studies, and Asian military histories." ― Midwest Book Review

"Mr. Yang has surely made a valuable contribution to the community by making Chinese material about ancient Chinese weapons accessible for western readers interested in the martial arts." -- Christen Weinert ― Journal of Asian Martial Arts

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.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ YMAA Publication Center; 2nd edition (April 15, 1999)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 142 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1886969671
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1886969674
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.36 x 0.48 x 9.32 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 34 ratings

About the author

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Yang Jwing-Ming

Yang Jwing-Ming

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Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming 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 over thirty books, and was elected by Inside Kung Fu magazine as one of the 10 people who has "made the greatest impact on martial arts in the past 100 years." Dr. Yang lives in Northern California.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
34 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

kelly miller
5.0 out of 5 stars Great if you need to know how to kill a ...
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2018
Verified Purchase
Great if you need to know how to kill a person with different weapons after all that's what they were used for wasn't it ;-) lol
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anthony
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2016
Verified Purchase
love it.
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Kyle Dinic
3.0 out of 5 stars Great variety of weapons but scarce descriptions on their use.
Reviewed in the United States on August 24, 2023
Verified Purchase
As another reviewer stated there really isn’t much information on each individual fighting implement aside from “this weapon originated in x dynasty and was in use throughout x dynasty”. The sheer amount of exotic spears,blades,chains,throwing weapons,etc makes up for this somewhat as a purely visual feast however. All figures are in black and white. The armor section was also far shorter than I had hoped and doesn’t show any figures equipped with said protection. I still highly recommend it for anyone interested in strange and unconventional weaponry.
One person found this helpful
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Tyr Shadowblade (TM)
4.0 out of 5 stars Weapons of legend . . .
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2008
My first introduction to this subject was from an obscure text by Douglas H.Y. Hsieh entitled "Ancient Chinese Hidden Weapons" -- which was quite a disappointment, as I'd been expecting accurate detailed information about unusual Kung Fu weaponry and received basically a pamphlet full of glaring inaccuracies and untruths presented as fact. Fortunately, ANCIENT CHINESE WEAPONS by the respected Dr Yang, Jwing-Ming was much better.

ANCIENT CHINESE WEAPONS is an oversized softcover book, 140 pages in length, and is broken up into a variety of sections: Introduction, Long Weapons, Short Weapons, Soft Weapons, Projectile & Throwing Weapons, Shields & Armor, and Conclusion.

A few other reviewers have noted that Jwing-Ming may've made some errors in translation or interpretation of certain texts and failed to include an annotated bibliography. This does seem to be the case, but at least the author does include statements like: "X probably originated at the time of the Huang Di Dynasty", "this weapon might have been created during the Song Dynasty", "X was probably imported from Tibet", and often "The history and other details are unknown" -- all of which are far preferable to just inventing spurious "facts", as so many others have done.

The hundreds of pen & ink illustrations are highly detailed and very well done. Whenever possible, origins and usage of the weapons are detailed. There is a wealth of data here, especially as pertains to rare polearms and exotic flexible weapons.

Unfortunately, a small number of these legendary weapons appear to be mythological rather than historic. A few examples would be the "step crossbow" (fired by stepping on the stirrup of a horse saddle), the spring-fired "sleeve arrow", and the "flying claw" with flexible graping fingers. Other little-known weapons which were initially assumed to be fictional (i.e., "plum flower needles") are so well explained as to become feasible.

This was an enjoyable read, and a much needed contribution to the literature of Martial Arts weaponry.
2 people found this helpful
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Michael J. Mazza
5.0 out of 5 stars A visually striking survey
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2003
"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.
4 people found this helpful
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Gilad K.
5.0 out of 5 stars Grrrrrrrrrrrrreat!
Reviewed in the United States on June 17, 2003
This book is essential for every martial artist or anyone interested in ancient weapons. True, this book does not supply the reader with any technique, but it covers the history and development of every weapon I can think of . It is written clearly, with large illustrations. What more, It gives you the English and Chinese name of the weapon, as well as the Chinese character. Dr. Yang certainly knows what he's talking about. All around, an excellent, comprehensible reference on ancient chinese weapons.
2 people found this helpful
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Lauri Niilisk
1.0 out of 5 stars Inaccurate
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2005
This book seems to be based on Hong Kong movies. full of historic inaccuracies. It only goes to show, being an expert in martial arts does not make sure one is an expert in history of arms and armor. Only people not familiar with this field of study can think it is any good. Speak to any expert in this field and they will tell you to skip this book.
6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

jam
5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I expected according to the title of the book.
Reviewed in Germany on December 9, 2020
Verified Purchase
Exactly what I was looking for.
All the chinese weapons I know from Kung Fu movies, adequately described with alot of history and additional informations to each of them.
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David Allsopp
4.0 out of 5 stars A broad but brief survey
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 13, 2010
Verified Purchase
This book provides a brief overview of a large number of weapons from the familar (sword, sabre) to the rare and bizarre (Blocking Face Pipe, Palace Heaven Comb, Wolf Brush).

Each weapon has a simple line-drawing of each weapon, with brief notes (often only a few lines) on its history and purpose (if known).

Note that this is not a book for learning any chinese weapon - far too many are covered to include any detail on how they are used!
2 people found this helpful
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Kindle reader
4.0 out of 5 stars I like this book and would recommend it.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 15, 2018
Verified Purchase
This is a very interesting book and gives you a good overview of Chinese weapons. I recommend it but it would really benifit form references for the information so you can take the study further.
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