Chinese archery questions
I have a few questions regarding Manchu style archery. Probably these questions are directed to Stephen. I have both his books and probably I should re-read them but probably this would help somebody else.
1) The draw length used with these long composite bows and style seems to be quite long. Not as long as Japanese kyudo but closer. How I should know my draw length? If my regular draw length is 28" for European/American archery and 37" for kyudo, what about chinese archer?
2) Is there an anchor place or a position where the arrow should be placed while aiming in relation with the face?
3) The strength bows used for military examination were used with thumb-rings or 3 finger draw? I think Stephen used the term "full fist draw" in "Chinese Archery". By the way, I found online a picture were Stephen is showing one of these bows to the public. Could you post close up pictures of that bow?
4) Some of these Manchu bow are decorated in a style that looks like a black and orange camo. Is this the combination of cherry bark and mulberry bark or a common painted decoration used at the time?
5) The huge siyahs seem to be the biggest in any hornbow, isn't it related to hand shock?
I'm sure Stephen or Peter would have interesting information for sharing.
1) The draw length used with these long composite bows and style seems to be quite long. Not as long as Japanese kyudo but closer. How I should know my draw length? If my regular draw length is 28" for European/American archery and 37" for kyudo, what about chinese archer?
2) Is there an anchor place or a position where the arrow should be placed while aiming in relation with the face?
3) The strength bows used for military examination were used with thumb-rings or 3 finger draw? I think Stephen used the term "full fist draw" in "Chinese Archery". By the way, I found online a picture were Stephen is showing one of these bows to the public. Could you post close up pictures of that bow?
4) Some of these Manchu bow are decorated in a style that looks like a black and orange camo. Is this the combination of cherry bark and mulberry bark or a common painted decoration used at the time?
5) The huge siyahs seem to be the biggest in any hornbow, isn't it related to hand shock?
I'm sure Stephen or Peter would have interesting information for sharing.
1) The draw length used with these long composite bows and style seems to be quite long. Not as long as Japanese kyudo but closer. How I should know my draw length? If my regular draw length is 28" for European/American archery and 37" for kyudo, what about chinese archer?
In earlier Chinese archery the draw length was to the nipple away from the draw-hand. The Manchus drew higher, so that the upper chord of the string passed the ear-hole ('listening to the string'). This assumes that the bow arm was completely straight. Place your bow-arm, shoulders and draw-arm in a straight line with your draw-hand thumb touching your nipple to give your draw-length. For safety on horseback, the Manchus made their arrows some four inches longer than their draw-length.
2) Is there an anchor place or a position where the arrow should be placed while aiming in relation with the face?
See above.
3) The strength bows used for military examination were used with thumb-rings or 3 finger draw? I think Stephen used the term "full fist draw" in "Chinese Archery". By the way, I found online a picture were Stephen is showing one of these bows to the public. Could you post close up pictures of that bow?
Four-finger draw plus thumb was allowed (hence 'full fist')
4) Some of these Manchu bow are decorated in a style that looks like a black and orange camo. Is this the combination of cherry bark and mulberry bark or a common painted decoration used at the time?
I have seen both. It should really be done with two sorts of birch bark; but there was some corner-cutting.
5) The huge siyahs seem to be the biggest in any hornbow, isn't it related to hand shock?
These big Manch bows do give hand-shock. The big siyags were just to reduce stacking on the immensely heavy bows.
In earlier Chinese archery the draw length was to the nipple away from the draw-hand. The Manchus drew higher, so that the upper chord of the string passed the ear-hole ('listening to the string'). This assumes that the bow arm was completely straight. Place your bow-arm, shoulders and draw-arm in a straight line with your draw-hand thumb touching your nipple to give your draw-length. For safety on horseback, the Manchus made their arrows some four inches longer than their draw-length.
2) Is there an anchor place or a position where the arrow should be placed while aiming in relation with the face?
See above.
3) The strength bows used for military examination were used with thumb-rings or 3 finger draw? I think Stephen used the term "full fist draw" in "Chinese Archery". By the way, I found online a picture were Stephen is showing one of these bows to the public. Could you post close up pictures of that bow?
Four-finger draw plus thumb was allowed (hence 'full fist')
4) Some of these Manchu bow are decorated in a style that looks like a black and orange camo. Is this the combination of cherry bark and mulberry bark or a common painted decoration used at the time?
I have seen both. It should really be done with two sorts of birch bark; but there was some corner-cutting.
5) The huge siyahs seem to be the biggest in any hornbow, isn't it related to hand shock?
These big Manch bows do give hand-shock. The big siyags were just to reduce stacking on the immensely heavy bows.
Thank you for the valuable information. It's very interesting to know the Chinese way to measure draw length.