Wrestling pictures from the late Ching Dynasty

Byron Jacobs of Mushin Martial Culture recently posted some pictures, from his private collection, of wrestlers (and one of archery) on the grasslands from the late Ching Dynasty. They’re fascinating insights into what wrestling looked like at the time, and what clothing was worn. He’s given me permission to post them.

(Image credit: Byron Jacobs)

Byron has produced extensive research into the origins of Shuai Jiao (Chinese wrestling) which all points to it actually being an adaptation of Mongolian wrestling, and not a separate style with any sort of genuine history of its own.