There are a number of Ji that existed from the Han dynasty and onwards with the 'L' shaped head. In some rare cares. The horizontal section actually bends downwards to form a hook-like shape. During the Song dynasty, Hooked Spear, also known as the Goulianqiang was 'invented'.
I am wondering if there are any evidence as to whether the two similarly shaped weapon were related. I have not seen it either used during the Tang dynasty but I would like to know if anyone has evidence to show that the hooked Ji continued to exist during that time.
Full Version: Was the Ji the predecessor of the Goulianqiang?
Just a nitpick- It's Goulianqiang, not Guolianqiang. 
Correction made to the misspelling of Goulianqiang.
There are indeed ji crossblades in the Han and pre-Han periods that curve backwards into a slight hook, mostly for increased effect against chariots or light cavalry. But these were relatively useless against heavy cavalry compared to the thrusting/stabbing effect of the spearhead, so we then have crossblades that curve in the opposite direction.
The ji halberds with crossblades curving forward to an increasing degree are a development of the Eastern Han, Three Kingdoms and Age of Fragmentation, as far as can be seen from visual evidence. It is generally believed that this was meant to increase the defensive power of the ji against heavy cavalry charges, and was a transition phase in the gradual replacement of the ji by long spears in infantry formations. However, this type of ji with a forward-curving crossblade remained in use in ceremonial guards, and can still be seen in Tang murals. In the Ming dynasty, a slightly similar type of spear with a forward-hooked sideblade was used, known as the longdaoqiang (dragon's sword spear).
I have only seen one or two examples of a pe-Song spearhead with a side hook that curves backwards in a pronounced manner. They date to the Tang dynasty and are in the collection of the Shosoin in Nara, Japan. Then in the Song, we see different types of hooked spear (gouqiang) with multiple hooks on the spearhead or hooked rear ends for the spearhead, but most of them were for use by cavalry, not by infantry against cavalry. So I don't think there is any line of descent from the ji to the gouqiang.
In fact, I don't think there was even a weapon called the goulianqiang (sickle spear) in the Wubeizhi of the Song or the Wujing Zongyao of the Ming. There were only different kinds of gouqiang (gouqiang, dan-gouqiang, shuang-gouqiang, tiegouqiang). There was, however, a gouliandao (sickle glaive) in the Wujing Zongyao, shaped like a naginata with a small hook. I am guessing that the goulianqiang in the Water Margin was inspired by the gouliandao, but I am not sure that it was ever used in real armies. Certainly I don't think it had the kind of devastating effect on heavy cavalry that is shown in the novel.
There are indeed ji crossblades in the Han and pre-Han periods that curve backwards into a slight hook, mostly for increased effect against chariots or light cavalry. But these were relatively useless against heavy cavalry compared to the thrusting/stabbing effect of the spearhead, so we then have crossblades that curve in the opposite direction.
The ji halberds with crossblades curving forward to an increasing degree are a development of the Eastern Han, Three Kingdoms and Age of Fragmentation, as far as can be seen from visual evidence. It is generally believed that this was meant to increase the defensive power of the ji against heavy cavalry charges, and was a transition phase in the gradual replacement of the ji by long spears in infantry formations. However, this type of ji with a forward-curving crossblade remained in use in ceremonial guards, and can still be seen in Tang murals. In the Ming dynasty, a slightly similar type of spear with a forward-hooked sideblade was used, known as the longdaoqiang (dragon's sword spear).
I have only seen one or two examples of a pe-Song spearhead with a side hook that curves backwards in a pronounced manner. They date to the Tang dynasty and are in the collection of the Shosoin in Nara, Japan. Then in the Song, we see different types of hooked spear (gouqiang) with multiple hooks on the spearhead or hooked rear ends for the spearhead, but most of them were for use by cavalry, not by infantry against cavalry. So I don't think there is any line of descent from the ji to the gouqiang.
In fact, I don't think there was even a weapon called the goulianqiang (sickle spear) in the Wubeizhi of the Song or the Wujing Zongyao of the Ming. There were only different kinds of gouqiang (gouqiang, dan-gouqiang, shuang-gouqiang, tiegouqiang). There was, however, a gouliandao (sickle glaive) in the Wujing Zongyao, shaped like a naginata with a small hook. I am guessing that the goulianqiang in the Water Margin was inspired by the gouliandao, but I am not sure that it was ever used in real armies. Certainly I don't think it had the kind of devastating effect on heavy cavalry that is shown in the novel.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.