@article{ART003251275},
author={Koo Yeol-Hoi},
title={A Review of Crossbow(弩) Operations in the Late Joseon Dynasty - Focusing on its Relationship with Battle Tactics and Discourse},
journal={military history},
issn={1598-317X},
year={2025},
number={136},
pages={159-199}
TY - JOUR
AU - Koo Yeol-Hoi
TI - A Review of Crossbow(弩) Operations in the Late Joseon Dynasty - Focusing on its Relationship with Battle Tactics and Discourse
JO - military history
PY - 2025
VL - null
IS - 136
PB - Military History Institute, MND
SP - 159
EP - 199
SN - 1598-317X
AB - The crossbow(弩), which was actively used as a long-range weapon during the Three Kingdoms and Goryeo periods, continued to be used in the early Joseon Dynasty but seemed to decline with the introduction of the matchlock gun after the Imjin War. However, surprisingly, during the reigns of Sukjong to Jeongjo, discussions about the use of the crossbow, which should have been phased out, actually became more active and were reflected to some extent in national defense policy and weapon manufacturing. From a global historical perspective, it is a peculiar aspect of the late Joseon Dynasty that the crossbow, which should have been eliminated with the advent of firearms, was re-evaluated over time.
This was due to the discourse environment, fiscal-military situation, and the relationship with battle tactics and strategies in Joseon society at the time. Rather, there was a context in which the crossbow was highlighted as a supplementary weapon precisely because matchlock guns and other firearms had become the primary weapons.
However, the discussions among intellectuals were not consistent. While there was officials agreement with authorities and policies regarding ballista, there were significant divergences concerning personal crossbows. On the other hand, regarding personal crossbows, officials recognized the direction of using the crossbow as a supplementary weapon to the matchlock gun and sought to add characteristics different from the typical "one shot, one arrow" crossbows of the past. Thus, during the reigns of Sukjong to Yeongjo, the focus was on developing crossbows similar to shotguns, capable of "one shot, multiple arrows." This then led to the development of magazine-fed repeating crossbows during the reign of Jeongjo, which while still "one shot, one arrow," possessed rapid firing capabilities akin to machine guns.
Through this, the research primarily aims to supplement existing studies that have not thoroughly covered crossbows in the late Joseon Dynasty.
Secondly, it seeks to elucidate the historical context and significance of the peculiar phase of weapon development in the late Joseon Dynasty.
KW - Crossbow;Short arrow;Three-MOS system;Multi-shot crossbow;;Repeating crossbow;Crossbow mount;Military treatises of Ming;China.
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Koo Yeol-Hoi. (2025). A Review of Crossbow(弩) Operations in the Late Joseon Dynasty - Focusing on its Relationship with Battle Tactics and Discourse. military history, 136, 159-199.
Koo Yeol-Hoi. 2025, "A Review of Crossbow(弩) Operations in the Late Joseon Dynasty - Focusing on its Relationship with Battle Tactics and Discourse", military history, no.136, pp.159-199.
Koo Yeol-Hoi "A Review of Crossbow(弩) Operations in the Late Joseon Dynasty - Focusing on its Relationship with Battle Tactics and Discourse" military history 136 pp.159-199 (2025) : 159.
Koo Yeol-Hoi. A Review of Crossbow(弩) Operations in the Late Joseon Dynasty - Focusing on its Relationship with Battle Tactics and Discourse. 2025; 136 : 159-199.
Koo Yeol-Hoi. "A Review of Crossbow(弩) Operations in the Late Joseon Dynasty - Focusing on its Relationship with Battle Tactics and Discourse" military history no.136(2025) : 159-199.
Koo Yeol-Hoi. A Review of Crossbow(弩) Operations in the Late Joseon Dynasty - Focusing on its Relationship with Battle Tactics and Discourse. military history, 136, 159-199.
Koo Yeol-Hoi. A Review of Crossbow(弩) Operations in the Late Joseon Dynasty - Focusing on its Relationship with Battle Tactics and Discourse. military history. 2025; 136 159-199.
Koo Yeol-Hoi. A Review of Crossbow(弩) Operations in the Late Joseon Dynasty - Focusing on its Relationship with Battle Tactics and Discourse. 2025; 136 : 159-199.
Koo Yeol-Hoi. "A Review of Crossbow(弩) Operations in the Late Joseon Dynasty - Focusing on its Relationship with Battle Tactics and Discourse" military history no.136(2025) : 159-199.
