Yèxíng yī 夜行衣
Yèxíng yī 夜行衣, lit. night walk clothes 夜行衣 have a rich history rooted in Taoist philosophy and the principle of aligning with natural forces, particularly those associated with yin 陰 (yin 陰–yang 陽). Traditionally, these garments were not exclusive to martial artists or spies; they were utilized by a variety of individuals, including travelers, security guards, and law enforcement, who required discretion in their movements.
The Taoist belief in harmonizing with the natural world influenced the design and use of night walk clothes 夜行衣 . These garments, often in dark hues like navy or deep green, facilitate stealth and camouflage, allowing wearers to blend into their surroundings. This alignment with yin energy reflects the importance of subtlety and adaptation in achieving one’s goals.
Origin
It would appear that night walk clothes 夜行衣 have been around since the beginning of close settlement in China. The first mention of night walk clothing 夜行衣 is in the Records of the Grand Historian 史記 within the Biography of Xiang Yu 項羽傳 published c. 91 BCE. A little later, it appears again in the ‘Records of the Three Kingdoms 三国志 by Chen Shou 陳壽, which includes the Xu Huang Zhuan 徐晃傳, was completed around 297 AD during the Jin 晉 dynasty.
Examples from the Sān Xiá Wǔ Yì 三侠五义
The classic novel Sān Xiá Wǔ Yì 三侠五义 by Shí Yùkūn 石玉昆 provides vivid depictions of night clothes in various contexts. For instance:
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“只见那人浑身是青，却是夜行打扮…”
“The person was entirely in blue, wearing night attire…” -
“到了二更时分，英雄换上夜行的衣靠…”
“At the second watch, the hero changed into night clothes…” -
“用目在星光之下仔细观瞧，见来人穿著簇青的夜行衣靠…”
“Under the starlight, he observed the newcomer wearing a thick blue night cloak…”
These quotes illustrate the practical use of ‘night clothes’ for stealthy operations, emphasizing their role in maintaining secrecy during critical activities.
Wan Laisheng’s 萬籟聲 Description
Wan Laisheng 萬籟聲, a noted figure in the study of martial traditions, describes night walk clothes 夜行衣 as a practical, tactical outfit designed for stealth and efficiency. The attire includes a silk garb with wide trousers for ease of movement, a tightly-buttoned shirt, and various pouches for carrying tools, potions, and chemicals. Weapons such as a ‘short sword’ and concealed daggers are part of the ensemble. The outfit also features a black head covering and hemp sandals. It’s highly functional, allowing the wearer to embark on covert missions, carrying both weapons and materials for scaling, fainting potions, and explosives.
Master Kwan Yuen Cheong’s 關潤昌 Lessons
During our apprenticeship, Master Kwan Yuen Cheong 關潤昌 taught us that night walk clothes 夜行衣, should be restored to the original style of ‘shuhe 裋褐 ‘. They should be made from ‘rough silk’ for its silent properties, fast drying characteristics, and temperature regulation ability. He explained that while security guards and civilians may wear dark colors, penetrators should always use black or very dark grey, aligning with environmental factors, such as the dark grey brickwork of Northern China.
