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Pages

武備志(四十四)

Wubei Zhi (Vol. 44)

武備志(四十四)

Chinese

1621

96 pages

Chinese Classics Natural Philosophy Art Illustrated Chinese History Statecraft East Asia

First Complete Translation

Only partial translations or excerpts exist. This is the first complete English translation.

The 'Wubei Zhi' (武備志) is a massive 240-scroll military encyclopedia from the Ming Dynasty. While several specific sections and chapters have been translated into English—such as the 'Straight Sword' chapter by Jack Chen (2018) and the 'Mao Kun Map' (Scroll 240) by J.V.G. Mills (1970)—no complete English translation of the entire 240-scroll work exists. Extensive excerpts also appear in Joseph Needham's 'Science and Civilisation in China' series. Given its monumental scale, it remains untranslated in its entirety.

Related translations found:

Ancient Art of Chinese Long Straight Sword (Translation of the Straight Sword chapter in Wubei Zhi), trans. Jack Chen (2018) [partial] source

Verified Mar 8, 2026 via local catalogs, local catalogs, open library, google books, google books, google books, open library · methodology

Chinese History & Statecraft Natural Philosophy & Science Chinese Classics Art & Illustrated Books

About This Book

military

Step into the high-stakes world of Ming Dynasty military engineering, where the survival of an empire depends on the perfect blend of traditional wisdom and cutting-edge innovation. From magnetic warfare tactics to early fire-arrow weapon platforms, Mao Yuanyi reveals the technical secrets behind the armor and war machines that defined an era.

Index

170 terms

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Major Themes

武備志53pWubei Zhi40pmilitary equipment23pMao Yuanyi22pWubizhi20pMing Dynasty military18pMing Dynasty15p軍資乘15p

ambushesp. 90, p. 91

area denialp. 95, p. 96

armorp. 2, p. 3, p. 4, p. 5, p. 8, p. 9, p. 11, p. 12+5 more

armor constructionp. 23, p. 24, p. 34

armor manufacturingp. 16, p. 20, p. 21, p. 22, p. 30, p. 32, p. 59

armor skirtp. 48, p. 51

aventailp. 4, p. 10

bardingp. 40, p. 42, p. 52

Bing Lup. 64, p. 65, p. 67

body armorp. 17, p. 18, p. 19, p. 20, p. 21, p. 22

boraxp. 32, p. 60

border defensep. 92, p. 93

caltropp. 95, p. 96

cavalry armorp. 46, p. 49, p. 50

cavalry defensep. 89, p. 92, p. 93

Charge-Enemy Hidden-Wheel Cartp. 77, p. 78

Chuzhou steelp. 55, p. 56

cocoon paperp. 16, p. 39

comprehensive synthesisp. 18, p. 19, p. 20

cotton armorp. 14, p. 15

defensive equipmentp. 6, p. 8, p. 10, p. 12, p. 20, p. 22, p. 34, p. 35

defensive gearp. 7, p. 11, p. 13, p. 27

defensive tacticsp. 76, p. 88, p. 95, p. 96

defensive technologyp. 33, p. 87

Dry Provisions Transport Cartp. 65, p. 66

dunxiangp. 4, p. 5, p. 6, p. 7, p. 8, p. 9

Elephant Wagonp. 66, p. 67, p. 68

Equipment (*Qixie* - 器械): General term for tools and weapons.p. 67, p. 68

fire-arrowsp. 78, p. 80, p. 89

Fire-Cabinet Wagonp. 79, p. 80

Flying Wheelp. 86, p. 89

Fujian ironp. 54, p. 58

Ganliangp. 65, p. 66

Gate-Blocking Weapon-Rack Cartp. 81, p. 82

Grain Chariotp. 74, p. 75

Guangdong ironp. 54, p. 58

gunpowderp. 79, p. 83

Hanrenp. 43, p. 46

helmetp. 3, p. 4, p. 5, p. 6, p. 7, p. 8, p. 9, p. 10+2 more

helmet manufacturingp. 14, p. 15

Showing 40 of 162 entries.

Illustrations43

Woodcut illustration of a mythical figure with long hair and a patterned cloak, holding a flame.

woodcut

Woodcut illustration of a tall, conical siege tower or watchtower with a soldier in a box at the top.

woodcut

Woodcut illustration of a Chinese armor stomach protector (weijia) featuring a monstrous face.

woodcut

Woodcut illustration of a mobile defensive shield with a tiger face, labeled 'Invincible Divine Shield' (無敵神牌).

woodcut

Woodcut illustration of a suit of Chinese armor, identified by the text as Tang Ni Kai.

woodcut

Woodcut illustration of an alternative design for a traditional Chinese shoulder guard (pibo).

woodcut

Woodcut illustration of a traditional Chinese shoulder guard (pibo).

woodcut

Woodcut illustration of a decorative horse chamfron (face mask).

woodcut

Related Books

8 related

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Related works (8)

武備志(六十二)茅元儀Sichuan, Guangdong, Mao Yuanyi, Mao Yuanyi, Mao Yuanyi (Master Mao)Treatise on Armament Technology: Military Logistics and Provisions茅元儀Sichuan, Guangdong, Fujian, Mao Yuanyi, Guangxi Treatise on Armament Technology茅元儀Guangdong, Guangdong, Fujian, Fujian, Mao Yuanyi Ben cao gang mu (Compendium of Materia Medica) Vol. 7Li ShizhenSichuan, Sichuan, Guangdong, Fujian, Guangxi 武備志(一百一)茅元儀Mao Yuanyi, Mao Yuanyi, Mao Yuanyi (Master Mao), Yunnan, Master Mao (Mao Yuanyi)本草綱目·卷二十七~卷二十八李時珍Sichuan, Guangdong, Fujian, Chu, Guangxi 武備志(五十)茅元儀Guangdong, Fujian, Mao Yuanyi, Mao Yuanyi, Mao Yuanyi (Master Mao)武備志(五十二)茅元儀Southern regions, Southern regions, Sichuan, Sichuan, Guangdong

Pages

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