The Scholar-General 墨將點兵This video looks at the third posture or stance in General Qi Jiguang's sword and rattan shield manual written during the Ming dynasty. The Sage Points the Way posture is a method for observing the enemy and maintaining an adaptable hip position ready to change at any time.
If you would like to see other videos on Qi Jiguang's rattan shield manual please check out the following:
Ming Shield Manual: Sage Points the Way Stance 紀效八勢:仙人指路勢The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-06-25 | This video looks at the third posture or stance in General Qi Jiguang's sword and rattan shield manual written during the Ming dynasty. The Sage Points the Way posture is a method for observing the enemy and maintaining an adaptable hip position ready to change at any time.
If you would like to see other videos on Qi Jiguang's rattan shield manual please check out the following:
Background Music: Sappheiros - Awake youtu.be/q6768nhkEwoQuantitative Analysis of Chinese Swords-Peidao @dlatrexswordsThe Scholar-General 墨將點兵2024-09-08 | In this video, I sit down with Dlatrex Swords and talk about a sword database project that we have been working on for a number of months. The focus of this video is Chinese Peidao from the 17th-early 20th centuries. We discuss the value and dangers of using quantitative methods to study swords, the finer details of what peidao are like according to the data, and do some comparison with modern reproductions to see how they stack up to the originals.
Intro Music Song = 春江花月夜 Artist: 顶斯华 Album: 中国古筝金曲, Vol. 3 (古筝独奏).
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Is weapon sparring pointless? Response to @RamseyDeweyThe Scholar-General 墨將點兵2024-03-28 | In this video, I share my thoughts on Ramsey Dewey's recent video in which he argues that it is impossible to actually fully prepare for combat with weapons such as swords.
12:05 ConclusionChinese vs European Polearms 中國/歐洲長柄兵器對比The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2024-01-06 | In this video I give a general overview of Chinese polearms by classifying them in terms of how they are used. I also highlight a couple differences that stand out between European and Chinese polearms.
Intro Music Song = 春江花月夜 Artist: 顶斯华 Album: 中国古筝金曲, Vol. 3 (古筝独奏).
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Sword Safety @shadiversity @alientude @dlatrexswordsThe Scholar-General 墨將點兵2023-11-03 | In this video, I reflect on my own mistakes when it comes to sword safety and propose a few basic rules or principles which I think everyone should consider in order to make sword use more safe.
Outro Music: Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Grappling in Swordfighting @EnglishMartialArts @scholagladiatoriaThe Scholar-General 墨將點兵2023-09-30 | In this video, I respond to Oz of English Martial Arts and Matt Easton of Scholagladiatoria in their recent debate about the role of wrestling/grappling in sword fighting. My main goal in this video is to dispel a couple common misconceptions people have as well as tease out the reasons for why certain swords and sword systems engage in grappling more readily than others.
Outro Music: Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.LK Chen Batwing Han Sha Review 正楷蝙蝠漢鎩評測The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2023-08-14 | This is a video review of the LK Chen Batwing Han Sha. The Sha is a swordstaff with a guard. They were predominantly used during China's Han dynasty. The Batwing Han Sha is a special type of Sha with a guard that has a batlike shape. In my review, I talk about the history of the Sha, the build quality of LK Chen's reproduction, and I also do some test cutting.
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Qing Saber Fencing Manual Translation 清代刀譜翻譯The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2023-05-27 | In this video I discuss a Qing dynasty saber manual which I have recently translated into English.
Outro Music: Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Q&A responseThe Scholar-General 墨將點兵2023-02-03 | In this video I respond to several questions by my viewers about Chinese history, martial arts, and swords.
Chapters:
0:32 Top 5 Chinese weapons
1:25 Good books on Chinese swords
3:02 Kantei and Chinese swords
5:15 Will I talk about gunpowder?
6:22 The weapon that represents China
7:13 What styles would I like to train in?
8:34 Will I interview LK Chen?
9:18 Where am I in China?
9:51 A trip to Longquan?
10:33 Polearm content
11:07 Getting a Shuangshoudao
12:21 Purpose of the off-hand in sword forms
14:18 Why are Song and Qing dao not pointy?
17:09 Ming dynasty Shuangshoujian manual
19:20 19th century shield use in China
22:06 Role of the Mongols in Qing conquest
23:45 Links between Kung Fu and SEA martial arts
24:52 The history of "practical" Chinese weapon arts
Outro Music: Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Ming Shield Manual: Ambush Stance 紀效八勢:埋伏勢The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2023-01-09 | This video looks at the eighth and final posture or stance in General Qi Jiguang's sword and rattan shield manual written during the Ming dynasty. The Ambush Stance is a low movement method which also includes a counter to low line thrusts.
Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 0:50 Difficulties of low stances 1:20 Interpretation of the text 2:40 A typo in the manual? 4:04 Interpretation of the technique 5:30 Conclusion
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Channel Update + Q&AThe Scholar-General 墨將點兵2022-12-16 | Welcome everyone! I made this video to inform you about some big changes coming to the channel! Also, make sure you leave a question in the comments below so that I can answer it in a follow up Q&A video!Ming Shield Manual: Golden Rooster Banks Head Stance 紀效八勢:金鷄畔頭勢The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2022-11-07 | This video looks at the fifth posture or stance in General Qi Jiguang's sword and rattan shield manual written during the Ming dynasty. Golden Rooster Banks Head Stance focuses on getting underneath the spear to surge forward at the enemy.
Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 0:24 Why a golden rooster? 0:45 Interpretation of the text 1:22 Hidden Saber 2:04 A typo in the manual? 2:44 Interpretation of the technique 3:43 Conclusion
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Ring Pommels Revisited ENG subThe Scholar-General 墨將點兵2022-10-24 | In this video, I respond to viewers comments and talk about ring pommels on chinese swords. I discuss both the origin and usage of ring pommels. After more extensive research, I argue that ring pommels likely come from beast head pommels of the Karasuk culture. Additionally, I claim that ring pommels have no particular use but should instead be viewed as a useful type of pommel which can adapt to suit the needs of people from various times and places.
Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 序言 1:22 Origins of the ring pommel 環首之來源 2:29 The uses of the ring pommel 環首之用法 5:44 Conclusion 總論 Books:
Di Cosmo, Nicola. Ancient China and It’s Enemies: The Rise of Nomadic Power in East Asian History. Cambridge University Press, 2002.
Title Page = http://www.t2studio.com.hk/proof/ordos_daggers/magazine/simple.htmlRattan Shield Manual: Low Even Stance 紀效八勢:低平勢The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2022-10-10 | This video looks at the fifth posture or stance in General Qi Jiguang's sword and rattan shield manual written during the Ming dynasty. The Low Even Stance focuses on throwing the javelin as a means to take the initiative away from the enemy spearman.
Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 0:35 Purpose of the javelin 1:29 Form of the javelin 2:18 Holding the saber 3:33 Interpretation of the text 4:43 Application of the technique 5:46 Conclusion
Background Music = D.O. - Wuhan https://soundcloud.com/user-374900450...
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Response to Matt Easton - What are disc guards for? @scholagladiatoriaThe Scholar-General 墨將點兵2022-09-26 | This is a video response to Matt Easton from the channel Scholagladiatoria. In a recent video on his channel, Matt hypothesized that disc guards may be connected to the use of flat parries on swords. In this video, I go deeper into this claim and analyze evidence which supports this argument.
Outro Music: Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.LK Chen Changdao Review - 正楷御林軍長刀評測The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2022-09-05 | In this video I review the LK Chen Chang Dao and talk about the history of this iconic weapon's origins and its martial use in Ming military manuals such as the Dandao Faxuan. What connections does the Chang Dao have with Japan? How do different manuals treat this weapon differently? These are the types of questions I address in this video.
Special thanks to my friend Jeremy Thomas for lending me this sword
0:00 Introduction 0:58 Japanese Influences in design 3:54 The size of the Chang Dao 5:50 Qi Jiguang's Chang Dao design 8:52 Cheng Zongyou's Dan Dao design 10:01 LK Chen's Chang Dao 13:06 Final thoughts on design origins 13:48 Chang Dao manuals 14:21 Qi Jiguang's Xinyou Daofa 15:29 Cheng Zongyou's Dandao Faxuan 18:37 Wushu's Shoubilu 20:17 Final thoughts on Japanese techniques 21:05 Breakdown of the Dandao Faxuan 22:34 Technique Showcase 26:55 Tatami Cutting 29:30 Conclusion
Sources:
Primary Sources:
戚繼光,紀效新書十四卷本,1584.
程宗猷,單刀法選,1614.
吳殳,手臂錄.
Books:
龔劍. 中國刀劍史. 中華書局, 2021.
皇甫江. 刀剑鉴定. 福建美术出版社, 2011.
馬明達. 說劍叢橋. 中華書局, 2007.
Friday, Karl F. Samurai, Warfare and the State in Early Medieval Japan, Routledge, 2004.
Outro Music: Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.LK Chen Dadao Review 正楷大刀評測The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2022-08-12 | In this video, I review the LK Chen Dadao. This sword provides an interesting window into the history of China and its struggles in early 20th century. The dadao is an icon of resistance against imperial Japanese invasion, yet it also has a darker past.
Intro Music Song = Intro Music Song = 春江花月夜 Artist: 顶斯华 Album: 中国古筝金曲, Vol. 3 (古筝独奏).
Background Music = People's Republic of China 70th anniversary of victory in WWII celebration 勝利與和平文藝晚會領唱與合唱《勝利之歌》 領唱:張英席 王傳越等 - youtube.com/watch?v=E5iR8oYu3GU&t=138s
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Rattan Shield Manual: Leaping Step Stance 紀效八勢:躍步勢The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2022-07-29 | This video looks at the fourth posture or stance in General Qi Jiguang's sword and rattan shield manual written during the Ming dynasty. The Leaping Step Stance is a method for entering on the enticing the spearman to attack and then covering one's body by squatting low to the ground.
Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 0:37 Translation of the text 3:01 Interpretation and application 4:53 Concluding thoughts
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.LK Chen Twin Peak Liao Dao - 正楷雙峰遼刀The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2022-07-16 | In this video I review the LK Chen Twin Peak Liao Dao. This is a unique weapon from a unique part of history. I not only talk about the history behind the blade, but also attempt to place it into its proper historical context as well as test it out with some tatami test cutting.
Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 0:58 History of the Liao Dynasty 4:11 Details of the Twin Peak Liao Dao 5:47 Curvature on Chinese swords 7:49 Details about the scabbard, hilt, and fittings 9:46 How does this sword fit into the Liao dynasty? 15:30 Musings about Twin Peak Dao techniques 17:12 Test Cutting 19:18 Conclusion
You can find the LK Chen Liao Dao at the following link:
Fu Lo-huan. Natpat and Ordo: A Study of the Way of Life and Military Organization of the Kitan Emperors and Their People. London: London University School of Oriental and African Studies, 1950.
龔劍. 中國刀劍史. 中華書局, 2021.
皇甫江. 刀剑鉴定. 福建美术出版社, 2011.
Kane, Daniel. The Kitan Language and Script. Handbuch der Orientalistik vol. 19. Boston: Brill, 2009.
刘浦江. 宋辽金史论集. 北京: 中华书局, 2010.
罗新. 黑毡上的北魏皇帝. 北京: 海豚出版杜, 2014.
楊若薇, 契丹王朝政治軍事制度研究. 北京: 中国社会学出版社, 1991.
Wittfogel, Karl A. and Feng Chia-Sheng. History of Chinese Society: Liao (907-1125). Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society, 1949.
Wu Yingzhe and Juha Janhunen. New Materials on the Kitan Small Script: A Critical Edition of Xiao Dilu and Yelü Xiangwen. Languages of Asia, vol. 9. Kent: Brill, 2010.
Articles:
Călin Cosma, "Seventh–Eighth-century Swords, Sabres,and backswords Discovered in Transylvania, Maramureș, and the Romanian Banat." Slovenská Archeológia, LXVI-1 (2018): 27–48.
Hu Lin. “A Tale of Five Capitals: Contests for Legitimacy between the Liao and Its Rivals.” Journal of Asian History 44, No. 2 (2010): 99-127.
Intro Music Song = 春江花月夜 Artist: 顶斯华 Album: 中国古筝金曲, Vol. 3 (古筝独奏).
Song = 将军令, 山西绛州鼓乐艺术团, 绛州大鼓2.
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Interview with David Graff: Comparing Tang China and ByzantiumThe Scholar-General 墨將點兵2022-07-01 | This is an interview with Professor David Graff Director of Undergraduate History at Kansas State University. In his work, "The Eurasian Way of War: Military practice in seventh-century China and Byzantium" Professor Graff outlines a compelling argument which deconstructs the notion of an Eastern and Western "Way of War" as well as highlights the process by which the common security threat posed by steppe peoples lead both Tang China and Byzantium to organize, equip, and command their armies in similar ways.
Chapters: 0:00 Who is David Graff? 0:57 Academic vs Hobbyist Historical Comparisons 3:02 Sources for Comparing Tang and Byzantine Empires 6:17 Classical Chinese 7:24 When will David Graff’s translation of Li Jing’s Art of War be released? 8:51 How does Li Jing’s Art of War compare to the Emperor Taizong’s Military Classic? 12:34 How similar are Li Jing’s Art of War and the Strategikon? 15:29 Defining Eastern and Western Ways of Warfare 22:00 Do Eastern and Western Ways of Warfare exist in the sources? 24:38 Major similarities between Tang China and Byzantium 26:55 What role did the crossbow play in Tang armies? 28:34 What is the role of infantry in the Tang military? 30:24 What are the Fubing troops? 33:18 The decline of the Fubing system 40:52 The common enemy of Tang China and Byzantium 42:30 What makes the steppe so formidable? 44:35 What do steppe armies struggle with? 47:00 Responses to steppe armies 49:09 How successful were Tang and Byzantine militaries in responding to the steppe? 50:42 The role of ethnic / cultural identity in the Tang’s success 55:38 Did Byzantium share deep connections to the steppe? 57:34 Was the traction trebuchet brought to Europe by steppe nomads? 1:01:13 How did the rise of the Tibetan Empire change the dynamic? 1:04:26 Does Tibet cause Tang China to change their approach to the military as a whole? 1:08:56 Will the field of military history eventually abandon the notion of a Western Way of War? 1:12:25 What role does Chinese military history play in the field of history more broadly? 1:15:25 Professor David Graff’s announcement to the world!
Music:
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Is one of the 7 Military Classics a fake?The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2022-07-01 | China has a canon of 7 Military Classics. The canon begins with the "Art of War" and ends with "Questions and Answers" which was reportedly written by Tang Taizong. However, is the 7th military classic actually a later historical fabrication penned by an unknown author?
This clip comes from my interview with Professor David Graff.
Intro Music Song = 春江花月夜 Artist: 顶斯华 Album: 中国古筝金曲, Vol. 3 (古筝独奏).
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Tang or Byzantium, who was more successful on the steppe?The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2022-07-01 | Both the Tang Dynasty and Byzantium had to respond the power of steppe polities such as the Turkic or Avar Khanates. But how successful were they really? Did the Tang Dynasty or Byzantium have any aces up their sleeve when it came to exerting influence on the steppe?
This clip comes from my interview with Professor David Graff.
Intro Music Song = 春江花月夜 Artist: 顶斯华 Album: 中国古筝金曲, Vol. 3 (古筝独奏).
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Similarities Between the Tang and Byzantine MilitariesThe Scholar-General 墨將點兵2022-07-01 | On the surface, both the Tang Dynasty and Byzantium appear to be very different. Straddling opposite ends of the silk roads and inheriting different imperial traditions with their own customs and worldviews. However; both Tang China and Byzantium hold some key similarities which may not be obvious at first glance. The organization of the Tang and Byzantine militaries, their tactics, and their equipment share much in common.
This clip comes from my interview with Professor David Graff.
Intro Music Song = 春江花月夜 Artist: 顶斯华 Album: 中国古筝金曲, Vol. 3 (古筝独奏).
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.LK Chen Cutting Compilation - DaoThe Scholar-General 墨將點兵2022-06-20 | In this video, Jeremy Thomas (Joplin Pak Mei Athletic Association) and I team up to put several LK Chen Dao through their paces! We first move through all of the single-handed dao and then bring out the two-handers and tatami at the end!
Background Music: D.O. = Wuhan soundcloud.com/user-374900450/wuhan-chinese-type-beatLK Chen Dao Evolution Part 1The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2022-06-17 | This is part one of a two part video which goes over the history and use of the dao using all of the single-handed dao that LK Chen has produced thus far! This is a special collaboration project with Jeremy Thomas from the Joplin Pakmei Athletic Association. Part one examines the evolution of Dao from the Han to the Tang period. Part two will be on Jeremy's Channel youtube.com/user/Guitarsamurai1134. Part two will cover the history of dao from the Song to Qing dynasties and will include a discussion of our personal favorite dao as well as some suggestions for future models that LK Chen could develop.
Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:00 Royal Arsenal Han Dao 2:20 Heavenly Horse Han Dao 3:16 Double Dragon Sui Dao 5:40 Palatial Tang Dao 7:44 Hidden Hilt Dragon Sparrow Dao 9:31 Tang Heng Dao 12:05 Conclusion
Music:
Intro Music Song = 春江花月夜 Artist: 顶斯华 Album: 中国古筝金曲, Vol. 3 (古筝独奏).
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Han Jian and Dao - LK Chen Review 正楷白弧漢劍/武庫漢刀評測The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2022-06-03 | In this video, I review the LK Chen White Arc Jian and the LK Chen Royal Arsenal Han Dao. These two swords also provide an excellent opportunity to analyze the historical context of how and why the Western Han dynasty chose to adopt the single-edged dao over the double-edged jian which impacted Chinese swords through the rest of history.
Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:09 White Arc Han Jian 5:10 Royal Arsenal Han Dao 6:10 Why the switch to Dao? 6:36 Reason 1 - Economy 7:02 Reason 2 - Utility and Durability 9:37 Reason 3 - Use of the weapon 12:44 Can the Han Dao thrust? 14:40 Bottlepocalypse 16:51 Final Thoughts
Source Material:
Books:
龔劍. 中國刀劍史. 中華書局, 2021.
皇甫江. 刀剑鉴定. 福建美术出版社, 2011.
馬明達. 說劍叢橋. 中華書局, 2007.
Wagner, Donald B. Iron and Steel in Ancient China. Brill, 1993.
Image of Han Soldier = artstation.com/artwork/AqQXd5Shuang Dao - LK Chen Oxtail Saber Review 雙刀 - 正楷牛尾刀評測The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2022-03-25 | In this video I review a pair of LK Chen's Oxtail Sabers (Niuwei Dao). I discuss the historical context of dual wielding, the details of LK Chen's design on the Niuwei Dao, and compare Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) dual wielding with Chinese dual wielding techniques.
Intro Music Song = 春江花月夜 Artist: 顶斯华 Album: 中国古筝金曲, Vol. 3 (古筝独奏).
Song 1 = Ceremonial Dance, Darren Curtis: https://www.darrencurtismusic.com/wor...
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.8 Sided Swords - LK Chen Review 正楷八面劍評測The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2022-02-11 | In this video, I review LK Chen's Magnificent Chu Jian and Soaring Sky Jian as well as explore the Chinese bronze age and the history of the 8 sided jian. Bamianjian first emerged early in China's bronze age and saw continued use through the transition from bronze to iron. The iron age in China stands out as unique among many other contemporary societies due to the timeline that it occurred in. Some bronze weapons may have remained in use into the Qin and Han dynasties due to the way that iron was produced in the region as well as some unique properties of bronze weapons in the Warring States period. The 8 sided jian stands out as an ideal model to gain insight into the process of this change.
Haifeng Liu, Jianli Chen, Jianjun Mei, Jinbiao Jia, Lei Shi. "A view of iron and steel making technology in the Yan region during theWarring States period and the Han dynasty: scientific study of iron objects excavated from Dongheishan site, Hebei province, China." Journal of Archaeological Science, vol. 47 (2014): 53-63
Huang Weia, Winfried Kockelmann, Evelyne Godfrey, David A Scott. "The metallography and corrosion of an ancient chinese bimetallic bronze sword." Journal of Cultural Heritage, vol. 37 (2019): 259–265
Jianjun Mei, Pu Wang, Kunlong Chen, Lu Wang, Yingchen Wang, Yaxiong Liu. "Archaeometallurgical studies in China: some recent developments and challenging issues." Journal of Archaeological Science, vol. 56 (2015): 221-232.
Mengyi Zhang, Yingfu Li, Zhaoming Xiong, Shijia Li, Yuniu Li. "Iron production and trading in Lingnan during the Qin and Han Dynasties." Antiquity, vol. 94, (2020): 1–6.
Yaxiong Liu. "Iron production in the state of Qin during the Warring States period." PhD diss. University College London (Institute of Archeology), 2021.
Music
Intro Music Song = 春江花月夜 Artist: 顶斯华 Album: 中国古筝金曲, Vol. 3 (古筝独奏).
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Lk Chen Snow Peak Jian Review 正楷雪峰劍評測The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2022-01-07 | In this video I review the LK Chen Snow Peak Jian and discuss a little history about the development of jianfa. After the fall of the Qing dynasty, China went through a chaotic period, and many modernizers wished to leave seemingly archaic traditions like martial arts to the past, but these arts reformed and rebranded themselves with the growth of China's Guoshu "national arts" movement.
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.LK Chen Qijia Yaodao review 正楷戚家腰刀評測The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-12-22 | This is a video review of LK Chen's Qijia Yaodao. Just what is a Qijia dao, how was a blade like this used, and is purchasing a Qijia dao right for you? These are a few of the questions that I address in this video along with some test cutting footage.
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.LK Chen Woyaodao Review 正楷倭腰刀評測The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-11-20 | In this video I review the LK Chen Woyaodao or Japanese style waist saber. Is this sword a katana? I discuss the intertwined history of Chinese and Japanese blades. What nihonto features are present on the woyaodao and how does it compare to many katana of the day?
Intro Music Song = 春江花月夜 Artist: 顶斯华 Album: 中国古筝金曲, Vol. 3 (古筝独奏).
Song 1 = Ishikari Lore by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.LK Chen Grand Marshal Jian Review 正楷明提督劍評測The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-10-16 | This is my review of LK Chen's Grand Marshal Jian. I first go over a few of the historical context, fitting styles, and then put this blade to the test with some flow drills and basic cutting. Overall, I feel that this is a very nice jian which would be a nice addition to any collection!
Ryor, Kathleen. "Wen and Wu in Elite Cultural Practices during the Late Ming." Military Culture in Imperial China, ed. Nicola Di Cosmo. (2009): 219-242.
Hucker, Charles O. “Governmental Organization of The Ming Dynasty.” Harvard Journal of Asiatic Studies 21 (1958): 1–66. doi.org/10.2307/2718619.
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Is the Song Hand Dao a kitchen knife? 宋手刀是否是一種菜刀?The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-10-02 | In this video, I look into the origins of the Song dynasty Shou Dao or handheld single-edged sword. This dao has a blade which stands out from previous longer, narrower dao designs, but where does it actually come from? Here, I explore the possibility that this sword design might simply be a large kitchen knife.
Source Material:
Books:
鄭州市文物考古研究所. 鄭州宋金壁畫墓. 科學出版社, 2005
Rivkin, Kirill, and Brian Isaac. A Study of the Eastern Sword. Kirill Rivkin, 2017.
Articles:
Tom, Philip M. W. "Some Notable Sabers of the Qing Dynasty at The Metropolitan Museum of Art." Metropolitan Museum Journal, v. 36 (2001): 207-222.
Intro Music Song = 春江花月夜 Artist: 顶斯华 Album: 中国古筝金曲, Vol. 3 (古筝独奏).
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.LK Chen Taiyang Yanlingdao Review 正楷太陽雁翎刀評測The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-09-17 | This is my review of LK Chen's new Taiyang Yanlingdao. I first go over a few of the historical details and then put this blade to the test with some flow drills and basic cutting. Overall, I feel that this is a very nice dao which would be a nice addition to any collection!
Outro Music = Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.My problems with Kung Fu 我覺得中國武術有什麽問題?The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-09-10 | In this video I discuss what things I find problematic with the state of Chinese martial arts in 2021. Although I have issues with a lack of sparring, proper test cutting, and not enough historical skepticism, I am actually fairly hopeful about the future of CMA and can see many people taking important steps in what I believe to be the right direction.
Outro Music: Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.LK Chen Double Dragon Sui Dao Review 正楷隋刀評測The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-09-03 | In this video, I review and look at the history behind LK Chen's Double Dragon Sui Dao. Is this blade actually from the Tang Dynasty? Why did LK Chen choose to make two different length handles? Did Sui/Tang China actually have dao with a chisel grind? I attempt to answer these questions and more in this video!
Images from temples = sohu.com/a/355654202_772510Did Nomadic Women Fight in War? 游牧民族婦女會不會作戰?The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-08-27 | In this video, I discuss whether or not nomadic women participated in warfare at a greater rate than women from contemporary sedentary societies. According to my research, Mongol and Khitan women had the ability to participate in warfare more frequently than women from other societies due to the nature of life on the steppe; however, men and women still performed differentiated roles in nomadic society.
Sources:
Articles:
陈立君, “契丹妇女社会角色及地位研究.” 硕士学位论文, 东北师范大学, 2015.
冯永谦. “辽晋国夫人墓志考.” 辽宁大学学报 64, 6期 (1983): 32, 57-59.
Holmgren, J. “Marriage, Kinship, and Succession under the Ch’i-tan Rulers of the Liao Dynasty (907-1125).” T’oung Pao 72, no. 1/3 (1986): 44-91.
Holmgren, J. “Observations on Marriage and Inheritances Practices in Early Mongol and Yuan Society, with Particular Reference to the Levirate.” Journal of Asian History 20, no. 2 (1986): 127-192.
Broadbridge, Anne F. Women and the Making of the Mongol Empire. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018.
De Nicola, Bruno. Mongol Women in Iran: The Khatuns, 1206-1335. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2017.
Cha Ga-ju. “The Lives of the Liao (907-1125) Aristocratic Women.” PhD Diss., University of Arizona, 2005.
Fu Lo-huan. Natpat and Ordo: A Study of the Way of Life and Military Organization of the Kitan Emperors and Their People. London: London University School of Oriental and African Studies, 1950.
Johnson, Linda C. Women of the Conquest Dynasties: Gender and Identity in Liao and Jin China. Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press, 2011.
Mongol Ger = mongolianz.com/post/2018/06/06/features-and-uniqueness-of-the-mongolian-ger-yurtFlails Are Awesome! 鏈夾棒好厲害!The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-08-20 | This video is a follow up to my own video on nunchaku and flails which can be found here: youtu.be/ZLB08i0Tg6I In this video, I respond to comments about how the flail is ineffective due to getting wrapped up and caught on things. However, certain designs of flail largely prevent this from happening. I also discuss another advantage of the flail over a simple staff in this video. Namely, that the flail facilitates repeated strikes better than a staff or stick does.
Outro Music: Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Was the Great Wall Effective? 建築長城很有效嗎?The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-08-13 | Why did so many Chinese dynasties build border walls? Was this strategy effective for accomplishing a dynasties goals? These are the questions I answer in this video which takes a look at the great wall as well as the military, economic, and political implications that wall-building brings.
Check out my video which documents my trip to Juyong pass here: youtu.be/TXmlTZhry_w
Source Material:
Books:
Lovell, Julia. The Great Wall: China Against the World 1000 BC - AD 2000. New York: Grove Press, 2006.
Waldron, Arthur. The Great Wall of China: From History to Myth. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1990.
中国长城遗迹调查报告集,文物出版社,1981.
Articles
Gideon Shelach-Lavi, William Honeychurch, and Amartuvshin Chunag, "Does extra-large equal extra-ordinary? The ‘Wall of Chinggis Khan’ from a multidimensional perspective." Humanities and Social Sciences Connections, vol. 7, no.22 (2020) 1-10.
Wright, Joshua. "A Possible Archaeological Case of the Taxation of Medieval Eurasian Nomads." Journal of the Economic and Social History of the Orient, vol. 58, no. 3 (2015) 267-292.
Outro Music: Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Hanwei Practical Gongfu Broadsword Review 漢威實用功夫刀評測The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-08-06 | In this video, I review the Hanwei's Practical Gongfu Broadsword. How historical is its design? How is its performance? Is getting this blade right for you? Watch the video to find out!
However, I recommend purchasing the blade for a cheaper price at a reseller
Special thanks to Sifu Jeremy Thomas for allowing me to borrow his blade for this video! His channel can be found here: youtube.com/user/Guitarsamurai1134
Messer = albion-swords.com/The%20Soldat.htmlThe History of Gunpowder in China: Interview with Peter LorgeThe Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-07-30 | In this video, I interview Peter Lorge, Professor of Chinese Military History at Vanderbilt University. We discuss the history of gunpowder technology in China! When was it created? What impact did it have? When and how did the west surpass eastern gunpowder technology? and will China resume the dominance it held historically? These are some of the questions explored in my interview with Peter Lorge.
Timestamps:
1:02 What is a Military Revolution? How is it connected to and Early Modern State?
4:51 Which came first in Europe? The guns or the Early Modern State?
7:57 How many guns in use during the Song? How much gunpowder was produced?
13:23 Why did the Song dynasty fail if they had guns?
16:00 What is a tax state? How is it required for widespread adoption of gunpowder technology?
19:55 Why does gun development and production stagnate from the late Song Dynasty into the Ming Dynasty?
26:06 Did the initial use of gunpowder bring a radical change to Chinese warfare as it did in Europe?
32:30 Just having guns is not enough to ensure military success.
34:08 Who invented volley fire? Is this a useful question?
38:53 When could firearms effectively counter nomadic troops in the field? Why do obsolete tactics remain in use?
46:25 Why did Qi Jiguang revise his military manual?
54:13 Use of firearms for the Manchu conquest of the Ming and why is it important to study military history?
1:00:26 Why did the west outpace the east? Dr. Lorge’s thoughts on Tonio Andrade’s book “The Gunpowder Age”?
1:09:23 Does technology always advance?
1:16:23 When did China catch back up to the west with military technology?
1:21:08 Will China’s growth be hampered by their political system?What Counts as a Historical Martial Art? (Response to Scholagladiatoria and Shadiversity)The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-07-23 | In this video, I respond to Scholagladiatoria and Shadiversity's videos on how we define Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) and historical martial arts more broadly. I believe that historical martial arts should reference texts, but those texts do not necessarily need to be fencing treatises or manuals. Additionally, I am not completely convinced by Shad's Historical Experimentation Swordsmanship Theory, and I question the assertion that biomechanical principles inevitably lead to similar martial practices.
Huang Bonian = http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XZfSAuZ5DE0/VTNQKEnuwaI/AAAAAAAABaY/DP0rFmwf1KI/s1600/swordhuangbonienarmyrepublic.jpgMing Shield Manual: Rolling Shield Stance 紀效八勢:滾牌勢The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-07-16 | This video looks at the fourth posture or stance in General Qi Jiguang's sword and rattan shield manual written during the Ming dynasty. The Rolling Shield Stance is a method for entering on the spearman's right side, and I believe that it is also a way to recover when the shield is no longer able to keep the spear to the left.
If you would like to see other videos on Qi Jiguang's rattan shield manual please check out the following:
Artist: http://incompetech.comWhat is the Source of Sino-Nomadic Conflict? 中國朝代爲什麽跟草原帝國有衝突?The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-07-09 | This video analyzes various explanations that scholars offer when answering the question, "Why does China always fight the nomads?" Essentialist, climatic, economic, political, and ethnological interpretations are explored in an attempt to unpack this massive question and provide an introduction to this fascinating historical question.
The sheer scope of this topic and time constraints limited all that I could say. In reality, each one of these explanations could have its own dedicated video. This video is best viewed as a primer for further research and discussion rather than as any kind of definitive conclusion. I also did not offer much of a critique against the economic or political theories about this phenomenon. So let me know if you would like to see a dedicated video on the topic!
Source Material:
Books:
Huntington, Ellsworth. The Pulse of Asia: A Journey in Central Asia Illustrating the Geographic Basis of History. New York: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1907.
Jagchid, Sechin and Van Jay Symons. Peace, War, and Trade along the Great Wall. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1989.
Khazanov, A. M. Nomads and the Outside World. Translated by Julia Crookenden. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1984.
Sima Qian. Shiji. Beijing: Zhonghua shuju, 1982.
Articles:
Barfield, Thomas J. “The Hsiung-nu Imperial Confederacy: Organizations and Foreign Policy.” The Journal of Asian Studies 41, no. 1 (1981): 45-61.
Di Cosmo, Nicola. “Climate Change and the Rise of an Empire.” Institute for Advanced Study, Published 2014. Accessed 2/6/2018. https://www.ias.edu/ideas/2014/dicosmo-mongol-climate
Di Cosmo, Nicola. Review of Peace, War, and Trade along the Great Wall, by Sechin Jagchid and Van Jay Symons, Central Asiatic Journal 35, no. ¾ (1991): 302-05.
Lattimore, Owen. “The Geographical Factor in Mongolian History.” The Geographical Journal 91, no. 1 (1938): 1-16.
Lin, Hu. “A Tale of Five Capitals: Contests for Legitimacy between the Liao and Its Rivals.” Journal of Asian History 44, No. 2 (2010): 99-127.
Neil Pederson et al. "Pluvials, droughts, the Mongol Empire, and modern Mongolia." PNAS 111, no. 12 (March 2014): 4375-4379.
Steinhardt, Nancy. “Liao: An Architectural Tradition in the Making.” Artibus Asiae 54, No. ½ (1994): 5-39.
Wright, David C. “The Northern Frontier” In A Military History of China, edited by David A. Graff and Robin Higham, 57-80. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 2012.
Outro Music: Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Evolution of the Tang Dao 唐刀之進化The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-07-02 | What happened to Tang Dynasty Dao? Did the design disappear forever? In this video, I discuss the evolution of the Tang Dao and how the design stayed alive into the Qing period and beyond.
Source Material:
Books:
皇甫江. 刀剑鉴定. 福建美术出版社, 2011.
LaRocca, Donald J. Warriors of the Himalayas. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2006.
Rivkin, Kirill, and Brian Isaac. A Study of the Eastern Sword. Kirill Rivkin, 2017.
Tackett, Nicolas. The Origins of the Chinese Nation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2017.
Outro Music: Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Chinas Horse Problem 中國的軍馬問題The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-06-18 | This video explains the "horse problem" in Chinese History. Some Chinese dynasties, such as the Ming, continually struggled to raise or obtain enough war horses to supply their armies. Why was it so hard to get enough good horses and what policies did the Ming court implement in order to alleviate this problem.
Source Material:
Articles:
Bertsch, Wolfgang. "The Use of Tea Bricks as Currency among the Tibetans." The Tibet Journal, vol. 34, no. 2 (Summer, 2009) 35-80.
Meserve, Ruth I. "Chinese Hippology and Hippiatry: Government Bureaucracy and Inner Asian Influence." Zeitschrift der Deutschen Morgenländischen Gesellschaft , vol. 148, no. 2 (1998) 277-314.
Rossabi, Morris. "The Tea and Horse Trade with Inner Asia During the Ming." Journal of Asian History , vol. 4, no. 2 (1970) 136-168.
Outro Music: Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Ming Shield Manual: Slanted-Movement Stance 紀效新勢:斜行勢The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-06-11 | In this historical martial arts video, I offer my interpretation of the slanted-movement stance (斜行勢) found in General Qi Jiguang's Ming dynasty shield manual. This technique describes a method for approaching a spear from the spearman's left side.
If you would like to see other videos on Qi Jiguang's rattan shield manual please check out the following:
Outro Music: Song: Chinese Thunder Drums Album: World Drums: African, Samba, Taiko, Chinese and Middle Eastern Music.Whats the Difference between Historical European and Chinese Martial Arts? 欧洲武术vs中国武术The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-06-04 | In this video I discuss the differences between practicing Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) and "Historical Chinese Martial Arts" or traditional Chinese martial arts. How should we approach practicing weapon's based martial arts, especially when those weapons, like swords, are outdated.
Wushu Performance = twg2022.com/sports/wushuIs the Tang Heng Dao one or two handed? 陳立楷唐橫刀是單手還是雙手用的?The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-05-28 | In this video, I revisit the LK Chen Tang Heng Dao and talk a little bit about its use in historical context. Should it be wielded with one or two hands? Does it favor the cut or the thrust? These are the questions I explore in this short video on the Tang Heng Dao.
Map of Tang Dynasty = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timelin...Ming Shield Manual: Raise Hand Stance 紀效八勢:起手勢The Scholar-General 墨將點兵2021-05-14 | In this video I continue my journey of interpreting General Qi Jiguang's rattan shield manual by focusing on the first stance presented: the raised hand stance (起手勢). In my view, this stance is primarily about footwork. It it is certainly the only stepping method that Qi Jiguang advocates for in the Jixiao Xinshu, but I believe that it describes a way to move quickly when the need arises.
My video which introduces the Ming Shield Manual can be found here: youtu.be/HDhfrB8sffs