some unconventional chinese rings

Justin Ma · Post by **Justin Ma** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 10:42 pm

Hi guys,

In another forum, I saw pictures of some more unconventional thumb rings. I wanted to ask whether anyone here has seen them before, whether the designs originate from any particular period, or whether they're modern innovations. The original thread is here: http://chinesearchery.cc/thread-513-1-1.html

(1) This one looks like a standard cylindrical ring that got sliced diagonally http://chinesearchery.cc/data/attachmen ... cfwe3u.jpg

(2) This is a short cylindrical ring http://chinesearchery.cc/data/attachmen ... cebmdn.jpg

(3) This is another short cylindrical ring http://chinesearchery.cc/data/attachmen ... llii2o.jpg

(4) And this doesn't look like a shooting ring, but it was included in the thread anyway http://chinesearchery.cc/data/attachmen ... 3ry9kr.jpg

Justin

Stephen Selby · Post by **Stephen Selby** » Mon Dec 13, 2010 1:49 am

1 and 2 look as if they could be old rings, while 3 and 4are modern fantasy pieces.

Some rings similar to 1 and 2 have been claimed as Ming rings; but I have never seen any reliable evidence. As to 4, it could have been a Chinese quality jade ring for export to India. China trade in luxury jade, particularly dagger handles, was strong in the Ming period.

Bede · Post by **Bede** » Wed Dec 15, 2010 4:49 am

I agree with Stephen. I have seen both styles of rings 1 and 2 in collections. They are usually attributed as Ming and might be, but they do not match the descriptions of Ming rings in contemporary literature. 3 is purely modern and 4 looks like it is based on a Western finger ring.

Justin Ma · Post by **Justin Ma** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 3:22 pm

I experimented for a month with a short-lipped ring: http://picasaweb.google.com/jtma04/ShortRing . Ultimately, I abandoned the ring. But I learned that I liked the clean release of a short lip, but wanted more surface area to protect my thumb pad.

Two reconcile those two points, I created a design based on Ring (1) in this thread: http://picasaweb.google.com/jtma04/HybridRing . It's early, but so far I like the short base edge, the near-vertical lip (which the string shouldn't strike, I hope), the greater inner surface area, as well as the familiar oval opening.

Stephen Selby · Post by **Stephen Selby** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 1:33 am

I suggest that you round off all edges. Try to keep your thumb less hooked when you draw. Rely less on the angle of the thumb joint and more on pressure between the thumb pad and the middle finger to keep the string in place. I think that the injury comes partly from your technique.

Justin Ma · Post by **Justin Ma** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 6:14 am

Stephen Selby wrote:Try to keep your thumb less hooked when you draw. Rely less on the angle of the thumb joint and more on pressure between the thumb pad and the middle finger to keep the string in place. I think that the injury comes partly from your technique.

Yeah, I can see the logic in that... this would allow the surface where the string touches the ring to be less than perpendicular (by bending the thumb less) --- but because of the thumb-to-middle finger tension, the thumb wouldn't be inadvertently flipped open. Plus, the release would be quicker/cleaner. As an exercise, I'm tempted to draw the string w/o any index finger reinforcement at all.

Bede · Post by **Bede** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 12:10 pm

The problem with not using the index finger is that you tend to hook the thumb more around the string. It is more a psychological issue than a physical one.
Stephen's idea is good. With some rings, due to their shapes, you have to treat the outside surface of the lip as if it were the pad of your thumb and press it, rather than the tip of your thumb, against the middle segment of the index finger.
Another issue with short lipped rings is that they may have been used with leather inserts. These are what the Turks referred to as a kulak. Depending on the shape and thickness of the kulak, there are many ways of shooting with such a ring.