A Textual Bibliography ＆ Value Study of Gaoying’s Wujing Shexue Zhengzong in Ming Dynasty

Archery concerned ancient texts own the upmost cultural value as well as the largest volume in number among Chinese martial arts literature. As the key representative for both ancient civilization of etiquette & music and Confucian culture, the number of archery texts blossomed in late Ming Dynasty thanks to the diversified development of society. Many classic works appeared,among which, Gaoying's book is the exemplary one. It spread to other east Asian regions and is also seen as classic. The paper devotes to the comparison study of Gaoying's book, based on its textual bibliography study and the review of his life companionship, to show the professionalism and culture characteristics of archery in Ming Dynasty. In addition, it presents the social trend of literati's preference into martial arts, and vice versa situation for military officials' pursuit for literature and arts. As a result, it becomes an obvious example to observe the transition of military skills into sports, and provides a window to glance various exchanges for archery culture in differed regions.