Han dynasty block prints

Justin Ma · Post by **Justin Ma** » Thu Apr 07, 2011 2:31 pm

I happened along these photos of Han dynasty (206 BC -- 220 AD) archers. http://chinesearchery.cc/thread-9458-1-1.html I wanted to get your comments on what you thought of their authenticity, where the block prints came from, and the types of technique the archers were using. When you look at these as well as the cave paintings in Serindia's previous thread, http://atarn.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1514 , there seem to be a great variety of draw lengths and techniques being used at the time (short, long, and in between).

Mounted Archery
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[1] http://chinesearchery.cc/data/attachmen ... qzylee.jpg (A mounted archer who draws up to the front shoulder.)
[2] http://chinesearchery.cc/data/attachmen ... bwv7cx.jpg (Another mounted archer who draws up to the front shoulder.)
[3] http://chinesearchery.cc/data/attachmen ... mz5gp0.jpg (It's a little harder to tell what's going on with this mounted archer.)
[4] http://chinesearchery.cc/data/attachmen ... xattev.jpg (Another mounted archer, this time drawing to the cheek. The style of this print is different from the others, so I'm _not_ sure of its origin or authenticity.)
[5] http://chinesearchery.cc/data/attachmen ... bixfxs.jpg (A mounted archer drawing past the face. The head gear is pretty interesting --- Xiongnu perhaps? --- but the archer seems to be wearing robes.)

Hunting
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[6] http://chinesearchery.cc/data/attachmen ... vv8qhx.jpg (I recognize this hunt scene from Stephen's book. They should be using tethered arrows. The archers are drawing past their face.)
[7] http://chinesearchery.cc/data/attachmen ... 8zbz8i.jpg (Drawing past the face. It is unclear whether the archer is actually using a pellet bow.)
[8] http://chinesearchery.cc/data/attachmen ... 2bz4a6.jpg (Again drawing past the face. Again unclear whether it's depicting pellet bow shooting.)

Stephen Selby · Post by **Stephen Selby** » Fri Apr 08, 2011 1:41 am

The origin of these prints is rubbings of stone or baked clay decorative panels inside graves. They range from Western to Eastern Han. Some come from Sichuan but most from Shandong.

Some are images of battle scenes, often found in graves of military officials. A second category may show immortals enjoying themselves in the afterlife. A third category is moral tales. I suspect that the image of man shooting a monkey in a tree is Western Han and comes from a story in the Chu tradition of King Zhuang shooting at an ape in a tree. The ape is said to have cried out in concern for its partner, symbolizing brotherly love (or wifely affection.)

Justin Ma · Post by **Justin Ma** » Sat Apr 09, 2011 3:41 pm

Justin Ma wrote:[3] http://chinesearchery.cc/data/attachmen ... mz5gp0.jpg (It's a little harder to tell what's going on with this mounted archer.)

Actually, the more I look at pic [3], the more I believe the rider is wielding a crossbow.

Uli · Post by **Uli** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 8:31 pm

[4] http://chinesearchery.cc/data/attachmen ... xattev.jpg (Another mounted archer, this time drawing to the cheek. The style of this print is different from the others, so I'm sure of its origin or authenticity.)

this one looks interesting: note the clear asymmetry of the limbs (hun style ?) and bow mechanics depicted (long draw and extreme limb bend)

jkekoni · Post by **jkekoni** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:00 pm

No real bow had brace beyond the elbow. Ok it is more like cartoon than picture.

BTW the same mistake is made by many modern artists drawing pictures to fantasy literature and games.

But yes it does describe asymmetricity and long draw.

Justin Ma · Post by **Justin Ma** » Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:52 pm

jkekoni wrote:No real bow had brace beyond the elbow. Ok it is more like cartoon than picture.

BTW the same mistake is made by many modern artists drawing pictures to fantasy literature and games.

But yes it does describe asymmetricity and long draw.

Oops, I just realized a typo in my description of [4]... I meant to say I'm _not_ sure of that piece's authenticity rather than being sure of it. The lines in [4] are a little too clean, so it makes me think twice.

Stephen Selby · Post by **Stephen Selby** » Fri Apr 15, 2011 2:51 am

Justin Ma wrote: Oops, I just realized a typo in my description of [4]... I meant to say I'm _not_ sure of that piece's authenticity rather than being sure of it. The lines in [4] are a little too clean, so it makes me think twice.

This image should be Northern Wei or Qi; not Han.

Han dynasty block prints

Han dynasty block prints

Re: Han dynasty block prints