Portuguese Arquebus
Chinese Cannons
Chinese Rockets
Korean Hwacha:
Hwacha, "fire carts," were some of the earliest gunpowder anti-personnel artillery weapons. Although the Chinese attempted to restrict the exportation of gunpowder technology, firearms made their way into the Korean peninsula in the late 14th century. Instructions detailing the development of gunpowder artillery was described in the Cheong-tong-deongnok 청통덩녹, or "Records on Gunpowder Weaponry," which was published in 1448.
The development of the Hwacha built upon Chinese fire arrows. They were wooden vehicles that appear somewhat like rocket launchers. Hwachas could launch huge volleys of hundreds of rocket arrows, which were ignited by burning fuses. Though highly innaccurate, when used against massed formations, they were extremely potent artillery, even enabling 3400 Joseon soldiers to hold off a Japanese army of 30000 at the Battle of Haengju.
...more on firearms in the Imjinwaeran coming soon.
Bookmark/Search this post with:
