204 Chinese Clay Figures 



with a spear. On this representation we notice another type of shield 

 of circular shape (Fig. 28) on the arm of a warrior who is posted on 

 the left-hand side at the foot of the bridge. The question as to the 

 material from which this shield may have been wrought is not 

 susceptible of positive decision. Certain it is, however, that three 

 distinct types of buckler are depicted on the monuments of the Han. 1 



Of the three types of Han bucklers, the first may be ascribed as 

 peculiar to the period, in so far as it does not seem to have survived in 

 later ages; it is not alluded to in military literature, nor is it traceable 

 among the specimens of shields in vogue during the Ming and Manchu 

 dynasties. The case is different with regard to the two remaining types. 

 The greatest authority on military matters is Mao Yiian-i, who published 

 his work Wu pei chi (not mentioned by Wylie) in 1621 (80 volumes). 

 It is the most comprehensive work of this class, and the one best il- 

 lustrated. All relevant illustrations of the T'u shu tsi ch'eng, which 

 quotes this author as Mao-tse, are derived from his work. In accordance 

 with an older work Wu king ("Canon of Military Matters"), he dis- 

 criminates between two main types of shields, the long shield of the 

 footmen (Fig. 29), and the round shield of the horsemen (Fig. 30). 

 The former is entirely made of wood, and, being as tall as a man, com- 

 pletely screens his body. It rests on the ground, and is a veritable fence 

 or bulwark. 2 The latter, of wood covered with hide, is carried by the 

 cavalier on his left arm, which is passed through the two straps in order 

 to protect his left shoulder against arrow-shots, while he brandishes in 

 his right hand the short sword. 3 Mao admits that it offers no advan- 

 tages, and it certainly was more an encumbrance than a safeguard. As 

 the round buckler is peculiar to the horsemen, we may suppose that the 

 Han soldier armed with it is an equestrian engaged in a dismounted 

 combat. There are instances on record to the effect that the soldiers, 

 especially when the decisive moment approached, dismounted from 

 their horses, marched on foot, sword in hand, and engaged in close com- 

 bat. 4 



From the wooden documents of Turkistan recently edited and trans- 

 lated by M. Chavannes we learn that the shields used by the soldiers of 

 the Han period were red; that is to say, they were made of wood, and 



1 Thus likewise Chavannes, La sculpture, p. 37. 



2 This is the same type of shield as that figured and described by Ph. F. v. Sie- 

 bold (Nippon, 2d ed., Vol. I, pp. 336, 337). 



3 The horsemen of the Kirgiz, who wore wooden cuishes, fastened a round shield 

 to their left shoulder to ward off arrow-shots and sword-cuts (T'ang shu, Ch. 217 B, 

 p. 8). 



4 Compare the battle deciding the fate of Hiang Yu in Shi ki, Ch. 7 (Chavannes, 

 Les M6moires historiques de Se-ma Ts'ien, Vol. II, pp. 318-320). 



