Hwacha
Hwacha or Hwach'a [1] is a Korean anti-personnel device of Chinese and Korean origins. It consists of a two-wheeled cart carrying a board filled with multitude of holes into which sajunchongtong (사전총통) or singijeons are stored[2]. These small rockets attached to Korean arrows, flung iron spikes upon detonation. During the combat, the ammunition like bombards were transported on two-wheeled carts and wheelbarrows. It is perceived this technological breakthrough alongside Turtle ship achieved by Koreans in mid of the 16th century marked a decisive point in the Seven Year War, where Choson Dynasty had emerged victorious over Japan.
History
Long before the development of Hwacha, China had imposed severe restrictions on exporting gunpowder to Korea. Yet, gunpowder weapons were key to the Koreans in maintaining a predominant navy in the Sea of Japan (East Sea) to protect the fishermen and merchants against the Japanese pirates, Waegu.
Therefore, there was an effort by Koreans to develop gunpowder on their own. Between the years of 1374 to 1376[3], Korea began its first productions of gunpowder. In 1377, Choe Mu-seon a Korean scholar discovered a way to obtain gunpowder by extracting potassium nitrate from the soil and subsequently made Juhwa, Korea's very first rocket[4], and further developments led to the birth of the family of singijeons.
Hwacha was first made in 1409 during the Joseon Dynasty by several Koreans scientists-including Yi Do (이도) (李蹈) and Choi Hae-san (최해산) (崔海山)[5]. It is unlikely that the hwachas made around this time participated in combat[2]. New generation of hwachas were made in 1451 under the decree of King Munjong[2]. At the time, 50 units were deployed in Hansung (present-day Seoul), and another 80 on the northern border. By the end of 1451, hundreds of hwachas were deployed throughout the peninsula[2].
Description
Hwachas were essentially one, if not the first, practical multiple rocket launching mobile pad ever made. All the machinery was built entirely of wood. It is unclear which wood was used to build Hwachas, but most historians agree pine was used throughout Asia from 14th to 17th centuries in the contruction of weaponry. It is likely Pinus koraiensis the Korean variety of Pine, might be used as raw material to build them.
They used to fire multiple anti-personnel firearms at once, turning it into one of the first anti-personnel artillery in the world. They could fire 100 steel tipped rockets or 200 thin arrows at one time. Timing was important, as reloading a Hwacha took some time.
In earlier hwacha versions allowed a single man to transport approximately 100 projectiles which were loaded and launched in one volley[2], and they showered the enemies within the range of 100 meters.
Singijeon is Korean variation of the Chinese fire arrow, and, among the many forms of singijeon, the type fired by hwacha comprised an arrow with a gunpowder pouch attached.
Conflicts and Wars
Hwachas saw action most extensively in the Imjin War against the Japanese soldiers. They were mostly placed in fortresses or citadels and used in defensive manners. These proved to be powerful in many battles, such as the Battle of Haengju, in which 3,400 Koreans repulsed 30,000 Japanese with the help of 40 hwachas. and was well suited to combat the invading during the Seven Year War. The Japanese Samurai ground troops, typically advanced in dense groups, presenting ideal targets for the hwacha.
References in popular culture
Hwachas had a profound impact in Korean culture as an effect of the Seven-Year War, specially in modern South Korean society where historical dramas and soap operas aired in major private terrestrial networks like MBC and public ones like KBS, seems to grow in recent years.
Hwachas have appeared specially in many computer games; in Civilization series Play the World and Conquests Hwachas were a featured unique unit for the Korean civilization. In Rise of Nations game they appeared as Fire Arrows.
See also
References
- ^ Some references, such as Computer game Civilization III Play the World and Civilization III Conquests cite Hwach'a as the transliteration of the Korean name. http://www.civ3.com/ptw_prof_koreans.cfm
- ^ a b c d e Daum Encyclopedia
- ^ Seoul National University Article
- ^ KBS News
- ^ Kaeri's Webzine Research
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