1.) Photo by John Thomson, Beijing, 1872
Manchu archer's perspective:
The archer in full draw represents a classic example of the Manchu style. The other archer also seems to be knowing what he is doing, and is depicted in an early stage of the arrow loading process.
2.) From the album of an unknown American Diplomat, 1880 to early 1890's.
Manchu archer's perspective:
This magnificent photograph shows a Manchu archer in a slightly later phase of the sequence than the left archer in picture 1. This archer is grasping his arrow behind the head with the index finger of the bow hand, while he strokes the feathers on his way to the nock. By feeling the feathers, he knows where the nock is so he can align it to the string without looking. Judging from the round dragon patches on his robe, this archer is of a high noble rank. Manchu nobility was often well trained in their classical fighting arts because they were supposed to serve as an example.
3.) Anonymous, ca. 1870. Throckmorton Fine Arts, New York.
Manchu archer's perspective:
A group of archers. While they probably know what they are doing (check the size of that bow on the left!) the archer in full draw is clearly posing for the shot and not intending to do any real archery here. Behind them is a rectangular board with some dots. These are the targets used in the military examinations.
4.) Photo by Auguste Francois, ca 1870. Depicting Su Yuanchun, (1844-1908) a Manchu general in Guangxi.
Manchu archer's perspective:
A high ranked military Manchu in full traditional garb. A tough illiterate Manchu, Su Yuanchun was one of the last great warrior Manchus. He distinguished himself in the field and made it from a simple soldier to a distinguished general in a time when the Qing fought battles against modern firearms with sabers, spears, bows, arrows and matchlock muskets. He commanded a force against the French at the battle of Zhennan Passwhich despite the technological advantage of the French was won by the Chinese side. He became a friend of consul Francois Auguste who was one of the first to ever film in China.
5.) Photo by Herbert G. Ponting, 1902. For stereoview publishing company C.H. Graves.
Manchu archer's perspective:
This archer seems to be practicing the classical Manchu style as well, although I tend not to consider this picture the best example of the style. He seems to be putting a little pressure to the bottom of the nock, somewhat lifting his arrowhead up. This may be due to the long exposure time needed. He appears to be standing straight with a straight bow, but from the wrinkles in his clothes and the difference between sizes of the ears of the bow we can determine that he is in fact leaning into the shot, as was the classic Manchu way of doing it.
6.) H.R. Kress, probably late Qing. Published in Asia Magazine, New York, September 1936, with the following text:
In a narrow lane in Peiping are a few old shops with bows; here are the last bow-makers, all that are left of an ancient and distinguished profession of China. For archery was not only an accomplishment of soldiers, but a recognized recreation among scholars, and was practiced by Confucius himself. Today it survives as a sport and exercise, and in old forms of classic rites and ceremonies. The Chinese bow is made on a skeleton piece of bamboo about five feet long. At each end is an angled wooden spike, and in the center is first glued a piece of wood a foot long, over which layers of sinew are then laid. On the outside of the bow are two stripes of polished buffalo horn. Special test bows, of eight to twelve "strengths," were used in the military examinations of ancient times - "one strength" being equivalent to the lifting of thirteen pounds. (That would make 104 to 156 pounds of draw.)
Manchu archer's perspective:
This, to me, is poetry! Together with the John Thompson picture at the beginning of the page this is one of the best examples of the classic Manchu style we have on record. He really seems to have it all down, a most graceful sight, his body in perfect equilibrium. It's our luck that there are two more pictures of this man in circulation. We can clearly see they are taken in the same place, of the same archer by the matching floor and matching wrinkles in his clothes:
7.) By H.R. Kress, from www.atarn.org
Full draw, taken from the side.
8.) By H.R. Kress, from www.atarn.org
Follow through. See how the bow does not turn in the handle like some of the fancier Chinese methods. Note that unlike Ku Ku's photograph and Liu Qi's manual where the palm ends facing backwards, this man's palm faces up after release. Such differences between schools of Manchu archers are for the most part only stylistic, and don't necessarily affect the shot with a proper release.
9.) Unknown photographer, Beijing, 1899.
Manchu archer's perspective:
Although the Manchus were rulers of the Qing dynasty, not all archery practiced in this period was of the Manchu style. This picture is a good example of such a style that clearly deviates from the standard Manchu teachings. It seems that we are looking at Chinese martial artists practicing archery in their own style, incorporating the characteristic Chinese horse-stance in their practice. Other deviations from the Manchu style are the really long draw and straight back. On top of that, their dress is not Manchu, as Manchus were required by law to wear a winter or summer hat depending on the season. It is a clear example of the fact that Chinese archery styles endured, even though all Chinese archers did adopt the Manchu style bow.
9a.) Detail of the archer's hand.
10.) Photo by John Thomsom, ca. 1865. From Stephen Selby's www.atarn.org
Manchu archer's perspective:
The picture is most likely posed, or otherwise the archer uses an alternative grip in order to hold the bow long enough for the shot. With the technology John Thomson had available the exposure time would be seconds in summer, but much longer in winter due to the delayed effect of the chemicals at work. The archer wears a winter hat, and northern China can be very cold, so let's give him a break here. In any case, both his bow and string hand are not how they are supposed to be. The overall posture seems to be correct though, so the man may have actually known how to shoot these bows. Also note the size of the bow compared to the archer.
Got any more Manchu archery pictures? Let me know!
