Gichang

Infobox Korean name

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hangul=기창
hanja=linktext|旗|槍
rr=Gichang
mr=Kich'ang

The Gichang is a Korean weapon which is first described in the Muyesinbo, a Korean martial arts manual published in 1759. It later also found its way in the Muyedobotongji (1791).

The weapon consists for a spear with a flag attached to the pole. The "gichang" is also called "danchang" (단창), which means 'short spear'. The spear would be around 2,75 meter long. The length of the blade would be around 23 centimeter. These spears were generally used for ceremonial or escort purposes. [Ehwa University Press 2008, Sippalgi: Traditional Korean Martial Arts, Dr.B.K. Choi]

Another in chapter in the "Muyedobotongji" is also called "gichang" (騎槍) but deals with using the spear while on the back of a horse. The hanja is different though.

References