22
Although Li Chi’s article notes the dimensions and material composition of numerous stone
fu
, some examples that were recovered from sites discussed below in conjunction with the more martially focused
yüeh
might be cited. A stone
fu
found at the Lung-nan site dating to about 3300 BCE is basically rectangular, has a large hole in the upper quarter, tapers gradually outward, and has a slight curvature to the blade (Kao Meng-ho, KK 1 [2000]: 58).
At San-hsing-ts’un twenty-one
fu
were found, mostly double-edged and heavily used, in four distinct styles. (See Chiang-su-sheng San-hsing-ts’un Lien-ho K’ao-ku-tui, WW 2004:2, 10 and the diagrams on 18). Typical dimensions are about 15 cm. long by 8 to 9 cm. wide; all the specimens have a fairly large hole; one style is a clearly tapered but somewhat bulgy rectangular with a large tapered hole; another rectangular design is marked by essentially square tops and blades.
At the Liang-chu site northwest of T’ai-hu the well-used stone
fu
has a somewhat rounded top, expanding downward taper, and curved blade with total dimensions of 10.4 long, 5 cm. wide at the top and 7.4 at the edge, and a thickness of 1.6 cm. (Chiang-su Kao-ch’eng-tun Lien-ho K’ao-ku-tui, WW 2001:5, 4-21.) The
fu
found at the Liang-chu site near Shanghai include one with double tapered edge, slightly rounded top and blade, a large hole, and dimensions of 12 cm. long, 14 cm. wide, and 0.8 cm. thick; 16.8 cm. long, 11.2 cm. wide, 0.85 cm. thick; and two very rounded specimens that splay outward near the blade edge with dimensions of 11.8 cm long and 9.7 cm. wide, another 13 cm. long, 7.3 cm. wide, and 0.6 cm. thick (Shanghai Po-wu-kuan K’ao-ku Yen-chiu-pu, KK 2002:10, 49-63).
Twenty-nine marble, stone, and jade
yüeh
of various sizes have been recovered at Lin-fen in Shanxi that supposedly date to the era of Yao and Shun (2600-2400 BCE). (See Shan-hsi-sheng Lin-fen Hsing-shu Wen-hua-chü, KKHP 1999:4, 470-472, including illustrations on 471 and some appended photos.) Mostly elongated, more like
fu
than the broad
yüeh
of later times, they were produced by grinding rather than flaking and are therefore generally well defined and polished. They all have single moderate lashing holes and a few are exceptionally thin. Some of the sizes listed (length by width by thickness, in centimeters) include 11 x 5 x 0.8; 13 x 7 x 1.3; 15 x 6.2 x 0.6; 12.4 x 6.6 x 0.8; 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.5; 21.7 x 8 x 0.8; 15.4 x 4.9 x 0.8; 12.4 x 4.3 x 0.9; 17.3 x 4.8 x 0.7; 16.7 x 7.4 x 1.2; 25.3 x 12.6 x 1.2; and an astonishingly thin 8.6 x 7.2 x 0.4.
Finally, the
fu
and
yüeh
recovered from a Fujian site are basically similar in style, the
fu
simply being somewhat more rectangular. All have a slight outward taper, have a moderate-size hole in the blade, and show slight rounding of the blade near the edge. Two typical sizes are 10 cm long, 5.6 to 6.0 cm. wide, and 0.9 cm. thick and a very small 4.6 cm. high, 2.8 to 3.2 cm. wide, and 0.5 cm. thick (Fu-chien-sheng Po-wu-kuan, KKHP 1996:2, 165-197).
23
Wang Tsung-yao, KK 1992:7, 663-665. Generally smooth, they reportedly do not show any signs of use and range in thickness from a useless 0.5 cm. to 1.0 cm. thick. Examples include the largest, with dimensions of 15.5 cm. high, 17.2 expanding to 19.4 cm. wide, and 0.8 cm. thick with a large hole in the upper blade, and the smallest, at 11 cm. high, 9.2 to 9.5 cm. wide, and 0.7 cm. thick. The more rectangular style includes one of 15.7 by 9 cm. wide and 0.8 cm. thick with a 3 cm. hole, while a third style with pinched waist and curved blade includes specimens of 22 cm. high, 14.8 to 17.8 cm. wide, and 0.8 cm. thick; 18 cm. high, 13.5 to 17.5 cm. wide, and 1 cm. thick; and 16.8 by 15 to 16 cm. wide, and 0.5 cm. in thickness.
24
See the example described in Fan Chün-ch’eng, KKWW 1995:5, 91.
25
See SHYCS Hu-pei Kung-tso-tui, KK 1991:6, 481-494. (The stone
yüeh
are described on 484-486.) Although the width increases down the body to the blade edge, the
yüeh
recovered here are fairly rectangular. The blades are slightly rounded and have large holes in the upper third (though one has two such holes slightly off-center, perhaps an experiment or mistake). One is 16.7 cm. high by 12.5 cm. wide and 0.9 cm. thick; the second 12.9 cm. high, 10.3 cm.
wide, and 0.8 cm. thick; the third, 17.9 cm. high, 13.6 cm. wide, and 0.9 cm. thick with two holes.
26
Su-chou Po-wu-kuan and Ch’ang-shu Po-wu-kuan, WW 1999:7, 16-30 (description 23- 24, diagrams 26, photos 27). Although a corrected radiocarbon date of 5885 BP was obtained, the authors note that classic Liang-chu culture is said by others to be centered about 5,000 BP or 3,000 BCE.
27
All the
yüeh
were secured by a large lashing hole in the upper third of the blade; most show a slight divergence from purely symmetrical shapes; a few are tapered, one sort of rounded on the top and bottom while others are just slightly rounded at the top, have a slight indentation, and widen a little, with the blades marked by various degrees of curvature. Typical sizes include 13.8 cm. high by 10.4 cm. wide, widening to 11.6 cm. but only 0.5 cm. thick; 12.6 by 9.2 to 11.2 cm. wide, 0.9 cm. thick; 13.6 cm. high, 13-14 cm. wide, and 0.9 cm. thick; 11.4 by 10.4 to 11.2 cm., but only 0.6 cm. thick; and a somewhat larger specimen, 15.6 cm. high by 10 to 11 cm. wide and 1.5 cm thick.
28
Chiang-su-sheng San-hsing-ts’un Lien-ho K’ao-ku-tui, WW 2004:2, 4-26. Ten stone
yüeh
are discussed on 8-9; photos with a reconstructed handle appear on 12, diagrams on 17.
29
The jade specimen, which has dimensions of about 12.2 cm. high by 10 cm. wide and a thickness of 1.4 cm., is essentially an oval with a flattened top and one large lashing hole. The stone variants have been divided into two types differentiated by the degree of rectangularity. The example with the cap, shaft filial, and short 53 cm. handle has dimensions of 13.2 by 10.2 by 1.8 cm.; a second example runs 12.4 by 9.4 cm. wide and 1.9 cm thick; and a third, which is thinner at 0.75 cm., is 10.5 by a relatively narrow 5 cm. wide. The second type, said to be squarer and generally marked by a larger hole in the blade, includes one with 45 cm. shaft remnants and dimensions of 11.2 by 11 cm. and a thickness of 1.2 cm., and another of 14.8 by 12.7 and 1.25 cm. thick, which mounted a cap above the blade of 12.3 cm.
30
Chiang-su Kao-ch’eng-tun Lien-ho K’ao-ku-tui, WW 2001:5, 4-21.
31
The stone versions appear in two styles: one gradually tapers down toward the shaft, is slightly rounded at top, has a large hole in the upper portion, is somewhat rough where the shaft would be affixed, and is unsharpened. Sizes include 14.3 cm. high, 9.9 widening to 12.4 cm. at the blade, and 0.65 cm thick, and 15.2 cm. high, 14 to 15.7 cm. wide, and a thickness of 0.6 cm. The second style, which has a slightly pinched middle blade, includes examples of 14.6 cm. high, 9.3 to 13.5 cm. wide, 1.0 cm. thick, and 14 cm. high, 9.4 to 11.4 cm. wide, and 1.2 cm. thick; and a variant form that is rougher and thinner, 11.8 cm. high and 11.3 to 13 cm. wide. (See Chiang-su Kao-ch’eng-tun 15-16 for details.) The jade
yüeh
(described on 16, 18, and 19) basically exhibit a gradual taper in the blade and have large holes near the top. Examples include 16.2 cm. high, 8.2 to 10.5 cm. wide; 15.2 cm. high, 9.4 to 11.5 cm. wide, and 0.6 cm. thick; and 14.8 cm. high and 9.8 to 11.7 cm. wide.
32
Liao-ning-sheng WWKK YCS, WW 2008:10, 15-33. (A photo will be found on 25, and a dimensional sketch on 29.)
33
Fu-chien-sheng Po-wu-kuan, KKHP 1996:2, 165-197. The
fu
and
yüeh
recovered from the site are basically similar in style, the
fu
simply being somewhat more rectangular. Both types display a slight outward taper, rounding of the blade, and moderate-size holes. Typical dimensions for the
yüeh
are 11 by 5.6 to 8.0 cm., 0.8 cm. thick, and 12.6 by 9.2 to 9.9 cm., roughly 0.9 cm. thick.
34
Shanghai Po-wu-kuan K’ao-ku Yen-chiu-pu, KK 2002:10, 49-63 plus six pages of photos. A radiocarbon date of 1690 BCE ± 150 has been reported.
35
Although the grave’s occupants have been termed “ordinary people,” they may have been reburials necessitated by warfare and the accompanying items reportedly show considerable quality and polish. The five
yüeh
basically fall into relatively square and rectangular versions. An example of the former has dimensions of 20.8 cm. high by 18.1 cm. wide and 0.85 cm. thick;
two of the latter are 23.8 cm. high by 15.2 cm. wide and a very thin 0.55 cm. thick, and 24 cm. high by 16.0 cm. wide and 0.8 cm. thick.
36
The only significant overview article has been Yang Hsi-chang and Yang Pao-ch’eng, “Shang-tai te Ch’ing-t’ung Yüeh,” 1986. (Hiyashi Minao’s discussion, 132-166, though raising useful issues, has unfortunately become outdated.)
37
Based on specimens recovered prior to 1985, Yang and Yang identified five types in their article “Shang-tai te Ch’ing-t’ung Yüeh”: laddered (tapered), square, rectangular, pinched waist, and tongue. (For type examples see 129 and 132. New discoveries from Erh-li-kang and Erh-lit’ou sites have disproven a few conclusions about origination and evolution that need not be discussed here.)
38
SHYCS Erh-li-t’ou Kung-tso-tui, KK 2002:11, 31-34.
39
Two socketed
fu
(described as tools) were also recovered. (Sizes and descriptions for the
yüeh
are based on photographs and dimensions given in Li T’ao-yüan et al.,
P’an-lung-ch’eng Ch’ing-t’ung Wen-hua
, 2002, 48, 49, 128, 129, and Hu-pei-sheng Po-wu-kuan, WW 1976:2, 26- 41.)
40
A number of
fu
and unusual
yüeh
dating to this period have been found at the famous site of Lao-niu-p’o. One in the classic tab style is decorated with three large downward-pointing triangles and
t’ao-t’ie
patterns on the upper blade and tab. Overall dimensions are 23 cm. high and 17.2 cm. wide, while the tab is 7.6 cm. long by 7 cm. wide. The blade’s thickness tapers down somewhat in the tab, but overall averages an immense 2 cm., allowing for the decorative aspects. The blade was secured by lashings running through two binding slots and a hole in the tab. Another intriguing variant is 19 cm. high and 9.2 cm. wide and has a 7 cm. centered tab with a width of 5 cm. and an odd triangular slot. The usual two binding slots appear on the blade’s shoulders, the edge is highly rounded (suggesting it may be a
ch’i
), and three stick figures with smiling heads provide unique decoration. Five
fu
ranging from 12 to 16 cm. in length were also recovered. (For the excavation report see Hsi-pei Ta-hsüeh Li-shih-hsi K’ao-ku Chuan-yeh, WW 1988:6, 1-27. The
yüeh
are described on 9-11.)
Another example from this period recovered in Shandong is also in the classic tab style but decorated by a rather simpler abstract motif on the upper portion of the blade and also the back portion of the tab. (The tab is slightly offset from center and the blade is not symmetrical.) Incorporating the usual two lashing slots and a singe tab hole, the blade is 15.8 cm. high and 9.5 cm. wide, tapering to 8.7 cm., while the tab is 6 cm. long by 4.7 cm. wide. However, being only 0.4 cm. thick, it must have been a purely symbolic weapon (Shan-tung Ta-hsüeh Li-shih-hsi and Hsü Chi, WW 1995:6, 86-87).
41
Sung Hsin-ch’ao, CKSYC 1991:1, 55.
42
For a discussion of the tiger motif see Shih Ching-Sung, KK 1998:3, 56-63.
43
Sizes taken from Yang Hsi-chang and Yang Pao-ch’eng, 1986, 130 and 132. The dimensions vary slightly in other reports.
44
For the report, already noted in the context of commanders having
yüeh
included in their tombs, see SHYCS An-yang Kung-tso-tui, KK 2004:1, 7-19.
45
For example, a
yüeh
marked by a somewhat indented blade shape, fairly wide tab, and comparatively simple abstract decorative patterns dating to the late Shang—possibly Hsin’s reign—is only 0.4 cm. thick. (See An-yang Wen-wu Kung-tso-tui, KK 1991:10 906.) Recovered with various ritual bronzes from a commander’s grave, it has dimensions of 17 by 13.4 cm. by at the blade (but only 9.9 cm. at the shoulders) and a tab of 6.5 by 4.7 cm. Although there is a slight upper flange extension, no binding slots have been included. (Wooden handle remnants are, however, noticeable.)
46
A
yüeh
found at Anyang that dates to the fourth period has three triangular shapes on the blade similar to the one noted as being found earlier but a
t’ao-t’ie
motif in the upper portion
of the blade. (See illustration 884 in SHYCS An-yang-tui, “1991-nien An-yang Hou-kang Yin-mu te Fa-chüeh,” 1993:10, 880-903.)
47
For example, an odd-shaped
yüeh
found at Kuo-chia-chuang at Yin-hsü has two lashing holes near the top of the blade, a tab offset to one side, and a very asymmetrical cutting edge. (See SHYCS An-yang Kung-tso-tui, KK 1998:10, 44-45.) An elaborately decorated, somewhat asymmetrical
yüeh
marked by a tab offset from center with a single lashing hole, slots in the upper blade, and dimensions of 22.4 by 16.8 cm. wide maximum (but 13.6 cm. at the top), and a tab 7 cm. long by 7.6 cm. wide, dating to the late second period at Yin-hsü, has been recovered at Ta-ssu-k’ung (SHYCS An-yang Kung-tso-tui, KK 1992:6, 513).
48
Chang Wen-li and Lin Yün, KK 2004:5, 65-73. Though incorporating indigenous motifs, the
fu
and
yüeh
recovered in the Ch’un-hua district of Shaanxi also reflect Ch’ing-hai, Central Asian, and Shang influences, resulting in highly localized versions that in turn reportedly spread northward and eastward. Socketed versions predominate in the northwest, with socket mounting being employed for both the unusual semicircular blade depicted and simple versions that look like hatchets. (These sockets are often tapered along the length and slightly oval, no doubt requiring considerable effort to achieve a tight fit.) However, more traditional versions that employ straight, centered tabs were also found in three variants, including a tongue-shaped version with pinched sides marked by a very large hole in the center. Most of these have two binding slots at the top and a hole in the tab for lashing. One specimen dated to about the Yin-hsü third period is decorated with an abstract motif that resembles a series of bent cotter pins that are said to have originated in Ch’ing-hai.