Before I begin the history of some of the weapons, I think it is also important to know a little about the country and people of the time the first weapons were used.  As I said before this info comes from many different places, and while I am sure it is not a complete history of all the weapons, it can still be interesting to learn.  This history is part of the weapons history My students learn.  I hope everyone enjoys it.    I will have to do this in a series of posts, and it may take a while.

 

Peace to all,

Tae

 

  The practice and study of the Chinese weapons, like any martial art, has value beyond just perfecting techniques.  Practicing Chinese weapons requires the extensive physical training, as well as mental training.  Martial arts weapons of any kind were developed for defensive purposes, because of this practicing with them help the practitioner train perception and reaction time, which allows for quick and correct maneuvering. 

  Almost all weapons in the orient originated in China and subsequently exported to other cultures.  In Ancient China the weapons varied greatly.  This depended on the difference in terrain from one province to another,  physical traits of the of different martial artists, and local culture and lifestyles.

  At one time the Chinese word for weapons was bin chi which translated to mean "soldier instruments".  Later this was shortened to just bin.  So, chang bin would mean "long weapons", and duan bin means "short weapons".  there is another term commonly used by the  Chinese, this is wu chi, which translated literally means "martial instruments", or "martial weapons".

  China is a large country and encompasses many types of terrain.  For example, deserts Adan high plateaus cover the northern territory, mountain ranges dominate the west, while the southeast and central parts are rich and warm with many lakes, ponds and rivers.  This part of the country has been a favorite of the Chinese for 1,000's of years.  The martial artists in the north tend to be a bit taller then those in the south, so they would utilize the longer, heavier weapons, the southern Chinese would adopt weapons that were shorter, and lighter because of their smaller stature.  Those from the north also had kid of a Texas attitude because of the wide country side.  Being much more wild and better at horse back fighting then those in the south.  those in the south I guess would have had what would at one time have been considered a New England type, living in a more confined and crowded environment, they became better at ground fighting(fighting on foot).  The were were also distinctions between those of the west and those of the southeast. The western had mountains, and because of this the local people specialized in hunting, and especially with the "trident".  Those who lived in the southeast because of the great agricultural palin there used the "hoe" and "harrow" for cultivation, so as a result fighting techniques eventuially developed for the how and harrow.  The Chinese also have shown how all humans can adpat, or adpat anything if the need arises.  Bandits were know to hit at any time without any warning, and because of this, people becamse adept with the Hoe, rake, harrow, trident, and other common tools that they could readily get their hands on for defense.