Ming jian

Jim McDougall · 12th January 2008, 09:21 PM

Thank you very much for the response Josh, and I'm pleased to hear that the history as I perceived it is at least overall somewhat accurate. I know that you are deeply involved in the study of Asian weapons, and have been very impressed with the detail you often bring in on Tibetan, Bhutanese and Nepalese items.
The area you are focusing on with these weapons from villages and various militias and other groups is entirely fascinating, and I look forward to seeing more examples as well as your observations on them. Too often the focus is on the standard items seen in references and in museums, and these examples reflect true ethnography in the wider scope of the culture.

Thanks again Josh!!!

All the best,
Jim

josh stout · 12th January 2008, 11:59 PM

Thanks for the kind words. This one is typical of what Scott Rodell has termed a "militia jian". It has a 24-inch blade but weighs 1K so it maneuvers like a longer but lighter jian. It is probably late 19th c., and is typical of village manufacture with a Chinese elmwood handle and a heavy iron pommel and guard. In this case the pommel is somewhat unusual in that it was coated in brass to imitate high-class jian.

Josh

http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...current=00.jpg

http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...rrent=01-1.jpg

12th January 2008, 09:21 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,295	Thank you very much for the response Josh, and I'm pleased to hear that the history as I perceived it is at least overall somewhat accurate. I know that you are deeply involved in the study of Asian weapons, and have been very impressed with the detail you often bring in on Tibetan, Bhutanese and Nepalese items. The area you are focusing on with these weapons from villages and various militias and other groups is entirely fascinating, and I look forward to seeing more examples as well as your observations on them. Too often the focus is on the standard items seen in references and in museums, and these examples reflect true ethnography in the wider scope of the culture. Thanks again Josh!!! All the best, Jim

12th January 2008, 11:59 PM	#2
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	Thanks for the kind words. This one is typical of what Scott Rodell has termed a "militia jian". It has a 24-inch blade but weighs 1K so it maneuvers like a longer but lighter jian. It is probably late 19th c., and is typical of village manufacture with a Chinese elmwood handle and a heavy iron pommel and guard. In this case the pommel is somewhat unusual in that it was coated in brass to imitate high-class jian. Josh http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...current=00.jpg http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j6...rrent=01-1.jpg