Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Tachi versus katana in horseback fighting

Philip · 23rd October 2006, 07:57 PM

Chris,
You raise some thought-provoking points.

Yes, most Asiatic soldiers were of short stature (though there were some pretty tall Indians, and British observers noted some northern Chinese, and Manchus, in the 19th cent. being of a size equal to or a tad greater than some Europeans). And yes, the typical north Asian horse was indeed pony-like in size, being descended from smaller native breeds (the so-called Przewalski horse being the most well known).

In Japan prior to the "opening" of the country by Adm. Perry in the 1850s, the horses appear to be of this north Asian type. I read an article in an old Encyclopaedia Britannica that pejoratively describes the poor fellows as being "misshapen ponies".

But I don't think a match in physiques, or geographic and zoological default, were what kept the north Asiatic horses in service for so long a time. After all, the rulers of China had access to the statuesque and handsome steeds of Central Asia (i.e. the "blood-sweating horses of Ferghana"), and were avid owners and riders of them from the Tang through Qing dynasties.

Those "misshapen ponies" have immense tactical advantages. Their stamina is phenomenal. They are extraordinarily rugged animals, able to stand up to immense privation and a harsh environment, as iron-hard as mules but far more worthy of use in combat. And all Asiatic mounted archers just love THE WAY THESE GUYS RUN -- their gallop is said to be smoother, less up/down "bounce" in their stride. Just what mounted archers need.

23rd October 2006, 07:57 PM	#14
Philip Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: California Posts: 1,036	choice of horses Chris, You raise some thought-provoking points. Yes, most Asiatic soldiers were of short stature (though there were some pretty tall Indians, and British observers noted some northern Chinese, and Manchus, in the 19th cent. being of a size equal to or a tad greater than some Europeans). And yes, the typical north Asian horse was indeed pony-like in size, being descended from smaller native breeds (the so-called Przewalski horse being the most well known). In Japan prior to the "opening" of the country by Adm. Perry in the 1850s, the horses appear to be of this north Asian type. I read an article in an old Encyclopaedia Britannica that pejoratively describes the poor fellows as being "misshapen ponies". But I don't think a match in physiques, or geographic and zoological default, were what kept the north Asiatic horses in service for so long a time. After all, the rulers of China had access to the statuesque and handsome steeds of Central Asia (i.e. the "blood-sweating horses of Ferghana"), and were avid owners and riders of them from the Tang through Qing dynasties. Those "misshapen ponies" have immense tactical advantages. Their stamina is phenomenal. They are extraordinarily rugged animals, able to stand up to immense privation and a harsh environment, as iron-hard as mules but far more worthy of use in combat. And all Asiatic mounted archers just love THE WAY THESE GUYS RUN -- their gallop is said to be smoother, less up/down "bounce" in their stride. Just what mounted archers need.