Chinese Shields

[Vuk]

In all likelihood, the shield is the oldest piece of armor used by mankind.

It provably came about the day after the first guy was throwing rocks at someone else.

I don’t know of any society or culture that has not made and used the shield.

If they know of war, they know shields.

Pai is shield in some Chinese languages.

The Tengpai was ancient rattan shield used up until the 20th century.

I know there must be someone here that knows much more about Chinese weapons than me that can tell you more.

Oldest, yes, and probably the most effective as well. From what I know reading about melee combat, if one person has a shield and the other doesn't (assuming that all other factors are equal), the guy without the shield does not stand a chance. That is why I cannot understand why the Chinese would not use them more (esp considering their love for massed missile weapons...). Was it because they simply made up for their lack of shields with incredibly heavy armour, or did they perhaps use them more than is often represented?