Several questions on archery history bibliography, etc.
Greetings, dear members of ATARN. It might a bit too late for my own introduction, but I thought I should post it just when I realized how late it was.
I'm Jayjung Lee, a 21-year old South Korean university student who will be discharged from military service in a week.
(Yes, due to its special national security environment, the country requires all legible male adults to serve in the military for about 2 years, mandatorily)
I've become interested in traditional korean archery since 2004, and started studying the archery mainly by reading books, papers, and visiting museums. During the process have had met Artisan Mr. Young-gi Yu, one of the few traditional fletchers in South Korea, and joined the ATARN forums to ask some questions regarding archery.
And now that I'am about to be set free from the long service in the ROK army, I'm planning to start learning traditional korean archery at Salgogee-jeong, near Hanyang University in Seoul.(Yes, I attend this university)
So far, this is my own introduction. Following are some of my questions.
As a student who aims to become part of academic society and study traditional archery(& warfare), acquiring knowledge through academic sources is a crucial step to my study.
Unfortunately, there are few South Korean academic works on history of archery in terms of hardwarehistory or archery physics, such as the papers by Bergman, Mcewen, Klopsteg, or Karpowicz.
Although I do try my best to search papers or books written in english-speaking world(JSTOR has been my prime 'search engine' for academic works), there is a limit to finding abundant amount of sources with my own feeble knowledge only. I wonder if someone can recommend notable academic works on forementioned archery 'physics', or global / local history of bow development.
Another question I wanted to ask in about so-called 'warbow'(i.e. heavy bows of the past, usually above 100lbs, and chiefly used for military purposes) training. While archers of Britain seem to be enthusiastic on drawing such heavy bows, the situation is quite different in South Korea.
Surely, historical records do suggest that quite many capable archers of past South Korea(Chiefly during Joseon Dynasty, 1392~1910) were able to draw bows as heavy as that of Mary Rose. Several records from Annals of Joseon Dynasty(朝鮮王朝實錄) shows special corps of strong archers capable of drawing bows 120 geun(斤 : Approx. 600 grammes), or 160lbs heavy.
However, there are very few archers who are dedicated to shooting heavy bows in South Korea, and there seems to be virtually no way to properly learn the art of drawing and shooting warbow. Although there are several forums dedicated to warbow shooting, but those forums' concerns are primarily for enligh self longbows, which physics and performance differ greatly from east asian composite bows. If I can earn even a single piece of advice, I would be very grateful.
Again, I must apologize to the members for hiding myself for a time too long. I hope this article can clear the misunderstanding about myself if it did exist, and that I might be able to find answers for my long but unspoken questions. Thank You.
Sinsigel
I'm Jayjung Lee, a 21-year old South Korean university student who will be discharged from military service in a week.
(Yes, due to its special national security environment, the country requires all legible male adults to serve in the military for about 2 years, mandatorily)
I've become interested in traditional korean archery since 2004, and started studying the archery mainly by reading books, papers, and visiting museums. During the process have had met Artisan Mr. Young-gi Yu, one of the few traditional fletchers in South Korea, and joined the ATARN forums to ask some questions regarding archery.
And now that I'am about to be set free from the long service in the ROK army, I'm planning to start learning traditional korean archery at Salgogee-jeong, near Hanyang University in Seoul.(Yes, I attend this university)
So far, this is my own introduction. Following are some of my questions.
As a student who aims to become part of academic society and study traditional archery(& warfare), acquiring knowledge through academic sources is a crucial step to my study.
Unfortunately, there are few South Korean academic works on history of archery in terms of hardwarehistory or archery physics, such as the papers by Bergman, Mcewen, Klopsteg, or Karpowicz.
Although I do try my best to search papers or books written in english-speaking world(JSTOR has been my prime 'search engine' for academic works), there is a limit to finding abundant amount of sources with my own feeble knowledge only. I wonder if someone can recommend notable academic works on forementioned archery 'physics', or global / local history of bow development.
Another question I wanted to ask in about so-called 'warbow'(i.e. heavy bows of the past, usually above 100lbs, and chiefly used for military purposes) training. While archers of Britain seem to be enthusiastic on drawing such heavy bows, the situation is quite different in South Korea.
Surely, historical records do suggest that quite many capable archers of past South Korea(Chiefly during Joseon Dynasty, 1392~1910) were able to draw bows as heavy as that of Mary Rose. Several records from Annals of Joseon Dynasty(朝鮮王朝實錄) shows special corps of strong archers capable of drawing bows 120 geun(斤 : Approx. 600 grammes), or 160lbs heavy.
However, there are very few archers who are dedicated to shooting heavy bows in South Korea, and there seems to be virtually no way to properly learn the art of drawing and shooting warbow. Although there are several forums dedicated to warbow shooting, but those forums' concerns are primarily for enligh self longbows, which physics and performance differ greatly from east asian composite bows. If I can earn even a single piece of advice, I would be very grateful.
Again, I must apologize to the members for hiding myself for a time too long. I hope this article can clear the misunderstanding about myself if it did exist, and that I might be able to find answers for my long but unspoken questions. Thank You.
Sinsigel
Jayjung Lee; The folks at the Bows and arrows museum have published a large number of books on types of Korean traditional archery gear. There is also a publication from the military museum. If you follow Peter Dekker on Facebook, his site Traditional Manchu archery has a wealth on that type which could serve as a basis for Asian war bows. He has a strong interest in that subject. There are several others there; Traditional Chinese archery and Chinese Manchu archery.
The military museum has the info on old archery writings in Korea. But the volume seems low and it may be necessary to rely also on Chinese texts.
Work your way up slowly in draw weight as it is quite easy to hurt yourself.
The military museum has the info on old archery writings in Korea. But the volume seems low and it may be necessary to rely also on Chinese texts.
Work your way up slowly in draw weight as it is quite easy to hurt yourself.
probably you already know these "must-have" books to start, which contain further references not found in JSTOR:
Faris & Elmer: Arab Archery
Latham & Peterson: Saracen Archery
Klopsteg: Turkish Archery
Karpowicz: Ottoman Bows
Selby: Chinese Archery
Bemmann: Steppenkrieger
Duvernay: Korean Traditional Archery
+ Journal of the Society of Archer-Antiquaries (JSAA)
8)
Faris & Elmer: Arab Archery
Latham & Peterson: Saracen Archery
Klopsteg: Turkish Archery
Karpowicz: Ottoman Bows
Selby: Chinese Archery
Bemmann: Steppenkrieger
Duvernay: Korean Traditional Archery
+ Journal of the Society of Archer-Antiquaries (JSAA)
8)
I know Colonel Kim Ki-hoon at the Military Academy in Seoul is doing research on traditional Korean archery. In their museum are several military bows like the ones in the Grayson collection.
They all appear to be very heavy bows roughly like longer, thicker and wider versions of the target bow. There have been pictures of some half-horn bows from a museum in France, I think, shown in another thread on this forum. These are like ordinary military bows, but with the belly from the handle to the ear covered with horn.
Most of the military bows I have seen in person had wooden bellies and their greater length may have been to compensate for this cost cutting measure. The half horn bows look the same length and proportions and may have been better performers. Some could have been half horn bows with the horn entirely covered in sinew and birch bark, but I had no way of telling.
Thumb ring techniques does not change much from light to heavy bows. It is more a matter of training to pull the greater weights than any change in technique. Of course faults like an unsupported thumb are much more damaging with a heavy bow than with a light one.
They all appear to be very heavy bows roughly like longer, thicker and wider versions of the target bow. There have been pictures of some half-horn bows from a museum in France, I think, shown in another thread on this forum. These are like ordinary military bows, but with the belly from the handle to the ear covered with horn.
Most of the military bows I have seen in person had wooden bellies and their greater length may have been to compensate for this cost cutting measure. The half horn bows look the same length and proportions and may have been better performers. Some could have been half horn bows with the horn entirely covered in sinew and birch bark, but I had no way of telling.
Thumb ring techniques does not change much from light to heavy bows. It is more a matter of training to pull the greater weights than any change in technique. Of course faults like an unsupported thumb are much more damaging with a heavy bow than with a light one.
Thanks for sharing such wonderful information :)
Sinsigel:
Welcome.
In the late 1980s at least, traditional archery (traditional composite bows, arrows, shooting techniques) was practiced at Suwon. Is that locale still hosting the clubs, etc.?
Welcome.
In the late 1980s at least, traditional archery (traditional composite bows, arrows, shooting techniques) was practiced at Suwon. Is that locale still hosting the clubs, etc.?