Scott No: 1222-27
Serial number: T7
Values in set: 6
Date of issue: June 10, 1975
Denomination: 83 fen
Designer: Lu Tianjiao
Size of stamps:
40*30mm for Value 1, 2, 3, 4, 5;
60*30mm for Value 6
Perforation: 11.5
Sheet composition:
50(5*10) for Value 1, 2, 3, 4, 5;
30(3*10) for Value 6
Printing process: Photogravure
Printing House: Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works

T7 "Martial Arts" special stamps were issued on June 10, 1975. The set consists of 6 stamps, printed by photogravure, designed by Lu Tianjiao, and printed by the Beijing Stamp Factory. The first five stamps measure 40 mm × 30 mm, perforation gauge 11 × 11.5, 50 stamps per sheet; the sixth measures 60 mm × 30 mm, 30 stamps per sheet, printed tete-beche.

Theme of the Set

Martial arts are a traditional Chinese sport with a long heritage, combining fitness, self-defense, and cultural transmission, and have a deep mass base among the people. This set selects classic bare-hand routines, individual weapon routines, and paired combat routines from martial arts, displaying the athletic beauty of Chinese martial arts—vigorous and expansive, with motion and stillness in harmony—showing the public the charm of traditional martial arts and promoting the spread of traditional sports culture. It is also a classic work among sports-themed special stamps of the 1970s.

Stamp Designs and Historical Background

Broadsword Play

The martial artist stands in a bow stance and swings the broadsword, the red silk on the long broadsword flying with the movement, with a vigorous posture and fierce, unrestrained sword techniques, embodying the brave and swift characteristics of broadsword play.

Swordplay

The figure holds the sword and dances, with a light and graceful posture and expansive, agile sword moves, set off by a background of flowers and trees, expressing the elegant, beautiful, and firm-yet-gentle charm of swordplay.

Bare-Hand Routine

The picture shows a man practicing Long Fist, with wide-open and wide-closing footwork, a steady and powerful stance, and expansive, generous movements, embodying the characteristics of basic bare-hand routines—brisk rhythm and full momentum.

Spear Play

The spearman plants a steady horse stance and thrusts the long spear straight out, with the shaft upright and the spearhead sharp, displaying the style of spear play—"one spear"—expansive and coherent, with both offense and defense.

Cudgel Play

The martial artist wields the long cudgel, with the cudgel techniques sweeping vertically and horizontally and the cudgel body rising and falling with wind, with crisp and neat movements, highlighting the style of cudgel play—sweeping attacks, plain and fierce.

Three-Section Cudgel versus Double Spears

This is the only paired-combat picture in the set: one martial artist whirls a three-section cudgel while another responds with double spears. The two exchange move for move, with offense and defense echoing each other, in a tense and exciting scene, expressing the confrontational beauty of martial arts paired combat.

Artistic Design Features

This set is one of China's earlier stamps printed with silver powder technology: the weapons and the decorative patterns around the inscription are printed with silver powder, presenting a glittering silver texture with a unique visual effect. The set uses simple, elegant scenery as the background, highlighting the figures' martial arts movements, with smooth lines and strong dynamism, and bright, vivid colors. It clearly distinguishes the stylistic characteristics of different martial arts categories and vividly restores the spirit and energy of traditional martial arts.