The tóng zǐ jiàn 筒子箭 or ‘tube arrow’, or tóng jiàn 筒箭, was an intriguing weapon used in ancient China, particularly during the late imperial period. It consisted of a bamboo tube designed to hold multiple small arrows or darts, generally between fifteen and twenty. These darts could be dipped in poison to increase their lethality.
While specific details about its exact method of deployment remain uncertain, historical texts suggest that it was likely handheld and used as a close-range or medium-range projectile device. The open-ended bamboo tube allowed for the darts to be swiftly deployed in a single motion, which would have made it an effective weapon in surprise attacks or ambushes. In warfare or self-defense scenarios, the rapid release of multiple darts would have been advantageous in distracting or overwhelming opponents.
There are indications that the tóng zǐ jiàn 筒子箭 might have also been launched using auxiliary devices or mechanisms. Some scholars propose that it could have been fired using a small ignition charge, or perhaps an early form of a spring-loaded mechanism, although evidence is scarce.
The poisoned darts further suggest a tactical use in guerrilla warfare or stealth missions, where subtlety and speed were essential. Given its association with yinshen shu 隱身術 (‘hiding skills’), it could have been favoured by stealth specialists, such as shitou 市偷 or cike 刺客, for quick strikes and evasions in urban or forest environments.
Historical and martial references to the tóng zǐ jiàn 筒子箭 are limited, making it one of the more mysterious weapons in Chinese military history, but its design reflects the ingenuity of ancient Chinese warfare, particularly in the development of multi-projectile devices.
References:
The tóng zǐ jiàn 筒子箭 is a lesser-known weapon, and there are limited specific references to it in widely accessible sources. However, a few key areas of study touch on its existence and possible uses:
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Military Texts of the Ming and Qing Dynasties: Some Chinese military treatises from the Ming (1368–1644) and Qing (1644–1912) dynasties contain references to unusual projectile weapons like the tóng zǐ jiàn 筒子箭. While there may not be detailed instructions for its usage, general discussions of tube-launching devices and multi-dart weapons are found in these texts.
- Wu Bei Zhi 武備志 by Mao Yuanyi 茅元儀 (1636) mentions various projectile weapons, some of which involve the use of tubes or cases to store and launch darts or arrows.
- Jixiao Xinshu 紀效新書 by Qi Jiguang 戚繼光 (1528–1588), a manual on military tactics, also discusses handheld projectile devices, although specific references to the tóng zǐ jiàn 筒子箭 are not made.
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Chinese Martial Arts and Weaponry Studies: In more modern analyses of ancient Chinese martial arts and weaponry, certain scholars have referenced the tóng zǐ jiàn 筒子箭 in relation to the development of multi-projectile weapons.
- Yang Hong’s Weapons in Ancient China (1992) provides a broad overview of early weapon designs, which may offer a general understanding of how multi-projectile weapons evolved.
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Academic Research: Some contemporary Chinese academics, particularly those studying military history and martial arts, have explored rare weapons like the tóng zǐ jiàn 筒子箭. However, these studies are often found in specialised journals or university archives, which may not be easily accessible.
