Great Ming Military

Basic equipment

Archery equipment, from 'Jing Guo Xiong Lue (《經國雄略》)'.

Different views of thumb ring, from 'Jing Guo Xiong Lue (《經國雄略》)'.

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').

Other equipment

Drawing of a Pei Ji (highlighted), from 'Wu Bei Yao Lue (《武備要略》)'.

Pei Ji is a thumb ring carrier. It can be worn like a pendant.


Jian Duan (箭端, arrow straightener)

Drawing of a Jian Duan, from 'Wu Bei Yao Lue (《武備要略》)'.

Jian Duan is usually made of soft wood such as the root of a coconut tree.