General Notes on Manchu Arrows 

Notes on Manchu Arrows 

The Manchu arrows have some unique features that make them quite recognizable compared to arrows from other cultures. Often time, some archers would joking say that the Manchu arrows are not simple arrows but small spears. Here are examples of these trademark features: 

1.) Long shaft, 

2.) Barrel shaped shaft, 

3.) Long fletching, and 

4.) Longer or shorter shaft length between the fletching and the nocks. 

We can find a description of Manchu arrows in Volume 14 of the Illustrated Standard of Imperial Ritual Objects (Huang Chao Liqi Tushi 皇朝禮器圖式) compiled during the reign of Emperor Qianlong, and it said: 

“According to the standards of our Dynasty, the arrows of military officers and soldiers shall be made from 3-chi (approx. 90cm or 96cm) long Hua Mu (桦木 birch wood）or Liu Mu (柳木 willow wood) shafts with 3-cun (3cm or 3.2cm) long arrow heads. The tips of the shaft shall be decorated with birch barks and fletched with the feather of Guan Bird (鹳, Stork?). The name and rank of the soldier and officer are to be inscripted on the space between the fletchings.” 

Although unmentioned, we know Manchu shafts are barrel shaped, i.e., tapering from the center of the shaft toward its two ends. This allows rigidity (strong spine in modern archery) and maintaining a balance weight center. Both the barrel shaped design and long fletching are easily identified on actual artifacts and photographs.  

Another example can be found in the former British Colony in the Hong Kong Ping Shan Tang Clan Gallery, which has a set of ten well preserved late Qing arrows typical to the officers and soldiers category. These arrows are approximately 90cm in length, 34cm of fletching and the nock end, and 2.5cm between end of fletching and the nock end. 

I would also like to propose a speculation here regarding the distance from the fletching end to the nock end.  The specimen from the Tang Clan shows a fairly long distance of approx. 2.5cm. This seem to match with the arrows an illustration showing the Tiao-Gua technique. At the same time there are also historical examples and recent traditional replica with distances between the fletching and the nock end being much shorter. The speculation is that the different distances might have something to do with the using the Tiao-Gua or the Dan-Gou technique.

Tiao-Gua risks damaging the fletchings if there is not enough distance. The index finger of the Tiao Gua presses against the shaft, so it may be pressing of the fletching if the distance is too short. In the case of a Dan-Gou technique, the contact between the shaft and index finger is much less; so shorted fletch to nock distance can be used.  

Now let’s bring the focus back to ourselves, today’s Manchu bow archers. There are no doubts that the majority of us would like to embody the martial spirit of the olds, but we do live in a different time. Fortunately, There are still still few craftsmen from China producing replica of Manchu arrows using traditional materials.

Below are some collected by members of the Canadian Chapter crafted by well-known artist such as Hu Lei.  

They are fully functional and we occasionally shoot them. However, craftsmen have became a rare breed; so these arrows are becoming collectibles and no longer the expendables that they once were. 

Luckily, suppliers of modern Manchu, such as Alibow, have been producing carbon shaft arrows. They already have few lines of Manchu arrow products available. I can testify (and I believe most would do the same) that they are good arrows for the price, and their design provides a good “Manchu experience” to us with the long fletching and heavy arrow heads.  

In a next article, I would like to introduce Kevin Xu, the owner of Caroline Armory, and his quest of producing a new generation of Manchu arrows that are traditional but modern. Stay tuned!  

This article was written as I am traveling to Hong Kong and then Chongqing to see Mr. Li Qingyang. My apologies for writing slowly lately. The Gu Hao series and Li Qingyang series will continue to be updated; and there are plans for several other short articles coming up.