Nangseon

The ''langxian'' was a branched, multi-tipped

spear A spear is a pole weapon consisting of a shaft, usually of wood, with a pointed head. The head may be simply the sharpened end of the shaft itself, as is the case with fire hardened spears, or it may be made of a more durable material fasten ...

with blades attached to the branches. The blades could be dipped in poison. The ''langxian'' was a weapon well suited for defense, as it would be difficult for an opponent to assault the wielder without risking contact with the blades. It was probably an invention of the Chinese general

Qi Jiguang Qi Jiguang (, November 12, 1528 – January 17, 1588), courtesy name Yuanjing, art names Nantang and Mengzhu, posthumous name Wuyi, was a Chinese military general and writer of the Ming dynasty. He is best known for leading the defense on the ...

of the

Ming Dynasty The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last orthodox dynasty of China ruled by the Han peo ...

, who described it in his manual titled ''

Jixiao Xinshu The ''Jixiao Xinshu'' () or ''New Treatise on Military Efficiency'' is a military manual written during the 1560s and 1580s by the Ming dynasty general Qi Jiguang. Its primary significance is in advocating for a combined arms approach to ...

''. The manual describes that the langxian acted as backup for the rattan shield bearers in a "

mandarin duck formation The ''Jixiao Xinshu'' () or ''New Treatise on Military Efficiency'' is a military manual written during the 1560s and 1580s by the Ming dynasty general Qi Jiguang. Its primary significance is in advocating for a combined arms approach to ...

". In Korea, the weapon, known as ''nangseon'', was mentioned as early as the 16th century martial arts manual ''

Muyejebo The ''Muyejebo'' (''Compendium of Several Martial Arts'') is the oldest extant Korean martial arts manual, written during the reign of King Seonjo (d. 1608). The king died before the compendium was complete, and it was first published, with ...

'', which was based on the ''Jixiao Xinshu''. Korean spears

Chinese melee weapons Traditional Korean weapons Polearms Spears {{China-hist-stub