Posted on 08/31/2006 11:40:49 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Some S. Koreans dug up old military training manuals from 18th century and are trying to restore the art of ancient warriors.
Here, they are practicing once-lost art of mounted archery. They went to Mongol steppe to do their summer training.
It was done this August on Arkhangel Aimac, a plateau which is 1,000 km from its capital Ulan Bator and 1,700 m (5660 feet) above sea-level .
The uniform they are wearing is from Chosun(1392~1910) era.
A trainee practicing so-called 'Parthian Parting Shot'
This is a favorite technique of Northen steppe warriors in the past. Koreans also used to use it.
More training shots of mounted archery
A Mongol cowboy joined the training, and was practicing the technique.
They lost much of their heritage during their communist era.
This is something new to this man, even though this was one of the main battle techniques
of Genghis Khan's troops.
Posing against a rainbow to get a nice photo
I suppose so. The rider and its horse may need to spend a lot of time together to get comfortable to each other.
Thanks for posting; Primitive Archer magazine has done several articles on Korean archery. Mounted archers gather each year in Iowa to promote the skill. The Native Americans and Hungarians are finding their mounted archery roots again as well.
The Korean horn bow is handmade and very expensive but a reasonably priced substitute made with fiberglass is available. Horsebows or ponybows of various styles are also available from European manufacturers and some American bowyers.
A bit of time with your favorite search engine should bring up numerous articles on the subject.
Correction: Koguryo a a Koguryo tomb painting
This is pretty cool.
Yep. Was an intercollegiate foil fencer at the AF Academy for four years; loved the sport. They tried to get me back there about five years after I'd graduated to be head fencing coach.
Naturally, SAC wouldn't release me; short on pilots, I had just upgraded to the left seat, had less than a year at my current assignment at the time, yada yada. Sure would have been fun.
That's very cool, Osage.
Can you tell me a little about those bows? What they're made of and draw weight, maybe?
The steppes, if that's what we're seeing in the picutes, look like great country for cavalry.
Remind my caddy to reload that .3006 in my golf bag.
The steppe people invented the stirrup, spoked wheels, chariots and even pants. Pants were invented right after horses were domesticated and horse-back riding became a way of life. The invention of the stirrup changed warfare forever.
Thanks.
credit to deadhippo.com
did mongols traditionally use snaffles?
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(. . . I've seen Shetland ponies larger than those little Mongol horses. Are they all that small?)
"Pinged for general coolness." (x2)
It would seem like the engagement range would be relatively short. I would think that it would be safer than a lance for hunting large game, and better for smaller, agile game. More tactical possibilities in warfare, and doesn't require a massive charger like a lance would (a small, fast asian pony will do.)
Can't aim. There is no such thing in this type of shooting. It's all done by feel. Some are very good, others never get the hang of it. Eyes on target and let fly as soon as possible. Don't aim.
Horse archers were probably the dominant "weapons system" of the pre-gunpowder era, but it required a lifetime on horseback. Other societies attempted the horse archer system, but with less successful results. As one historian put it: you can put a bowman on a horse, but you can't guarantee he'll stay there!
A little bit analogous to combat shooting with a pistol? Front sight, center-of-mass, squeeze.
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