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WABUKAN Arsenal · Spears and polearms · China

Qiang (spear)

The Chinese spear, the "king of weapons", with a red tassel below the head that hides the shaft's movement. Xingyiquan and bajiquan grew from spear training.

Qiang (spear)
Qiang (spear) WABUKAN illustration

Also known as

槍 · qiāng; spear; "king of weapons"

Origin and history

The spear is called “the king of weapons” in Chinese martial arts. It was the main infantry weapon for most of Chinese history, and Ming authors such as Qi Jiguang and Wu Shu (Shou Bi Lu, 17th c.) left detailed spear manuals; xingyiquan and bajiquan are closely linked to spear method.

Martial arts that use it

Xingyiquan Bajiquan Wushu Taolu Kung Fu

Construction

A leaf-shaped steel head on a flexible wax-wood shaft, with a tuft of red horsehair below the head that hides the shaft’s movement and stops blood running down. Length varies from about 2 m to over 3 m.

Basic techniques

Training

Polearm training begins with handling: sliding the hands along the shaft, turning the weapon end to end and keeping distance. Thrusts, sweeps and blocks are drilled solo, then in prearranged forms with a partner using wooden versions with padded or blunt tips.

Safety

Long weapons need room: check the ceiling and the space behind you, and warn partners before turning the weapon. Inspect wooden shafts for cracks and splinters and replace them rather than repair them.

Legality (general information)

Swords, knives and other edged weapons are regulated very differently from country to country (and sometimes from region to region): owning one at home is often allowed, while carrying it in public, buying it under a certain age or importing it may be restricted or banned. Practitioners usually transport them cased, out of reach and straight between home and dojo. This is general information, not legal advice: check the law where you live.

Did you know?

The three basic movements lan, na and zha (block out, block in, thrust) are said to contain the whole spear method.

More weapons

Guandao Monk’s spade Ge (dagger-axe) Halberd Taiaha Naginata

Sources

Original WABUKAN text, written from these cross-checked sources (facts, not sentences).

  1. Wikipedia — Qiang (spear)
  2. Wikipedia — Chinese polearms