XING LONG TANG - JIAN, a kínai egyenes kard története és jelemzői

JIAN, a kínai egyenes kard története és jellemzői

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Jian’s Way

In ancient China, the way of the sword was widely respected. This was so not just because sword techniques and skills were difficult to learn. The main reason was that moral and spiritual qualities were required in order to attain the highest levels of its art. In order to build a proper foundation for the study of the sword, the martial artist had to master other short weapons, which meant he had to spend a long time in preparation. Therefore, the sword master, known in China as a (jian ke, 劍客), had to have willpower, endurance, and perseverance in order to get through the long and hard years of training. It is said that the sword is "the lord of a hundred arms and the king of short weapons."

Because the sword is mainly a defensive weapon, it requires a strategy of calmness in action, and to achieve this quality one needs patience, calmness, and bravery. Sword users commonly practiced meditation to acquire the calmness they needed. In addition to these qualities, which are needed to develop the required level of skill, sword students learned about ethical virtues from their masters. The masters would develop these traits in their students by example and by telling inspiring stories from history. First, a student learned loyalty. The student was taught to be loyal to his country, his master, his parents, and his friends. True loyalty even requires the willingness to die when necessary. Loyalty with honor is the highest form of this virtue. The second trait learned was respect, which is closely related to humility. When one is humble, one can then respect the style, other martial artists, parents, and teacher. Another quality cultivated by the masters, and perhaps the most important, was righteousness. The student was taught to act only in the interests of righteousness and justice.

Having achieved these traits, the sword master is respected by the populace and will live a life committed to honor.

About Taiji Sword

Excepting only taiji spear, taiji sword is considered the highest level of taijiquan training. There are a few reasons for this:

Before anyone learns taiji sword, he must first master the basic training and criteria for bare hand taijiquan, including correct external forms, relaxed physical body, concentrated mind, proper breathing, and abundant qi circulation. Without this foundation, even if a student has learned taiji sword, his level of achievement of this art will remain on the surface. Normally, it will take at least ten years of taijiquan practice before a person approaches this level of understanding.
In order to reach to a deep, profound level of feeling in performing taiji sword, a student must already have a deep foundation of listening, understanding, sticking, adhering, and coiling jin. To reach this level of understanding, usually a student must have a few years of correct pushing hands experience. Pushing hands training is the best way to exchange feeling and sensitivity of the taiji techniques between you and your training partners. If you practice taiji sword and try to understand its martial essence, you must learn how to match the sword with a partner. If you are not able to demonstrate the required jin from bare hand training, you will not understand these jin as applied in the sword. Again, normally, it will take many years of pushing hands training to reach a deep level of understanding. If you wish to know more about taiji jin, please refer to the book Tai Chi Theory and Martial Power, available from YMAA Publication Center.
In taijiquan practice, internal qigong training is the foundation of internal strength, which can lead you to a deep, profound comprehension of the art. This is especially true in taiji sword. In order to reach a proficient level of listening, understanding, sticking, adhering, coiling, and neutralizing, your sensitivity and qi must be able to extend from your physical body to the tip of the sword. You must practice until you feel the sword as a part of your body, natural and comfortable. To reach this level, in addition to performing bare hand taiji qigong, you should also learn taiji sword qigong.
Whether you practice taijiquan or taiji sword, the final goal remains the same. You should understand that taijiquan was created in a Daoist monastery, in which the final goal of spiritual cultivation was enlightenment. In order to reach this stage, you must first ponder, seek out, and comprehend the meaning of life. To reach this understanding of life, you must continue to challenge yourself and master your emotional mind. Self-mastery is a necessary prerequisite for self-understanding. When you have achieved proficient levels of taiji sword ability, your body will feel transparent (i.e., totally permeable to the energy), and you will be able to enter the state of "mind of no mind" (i.e., regulating without regulating). Every aspect of your practice, from stance to breathing to spirit, is by its nature regulated to the correct level effortlessly because of the level of skill your practice has brought. It is not easy to reach this stage.

When you learn taiji sword, you first learn the basic sword techniques, which comprise the foundation of each style. In Chinese martial arts, different styles emphasize different techniques, depending on which discipline the stylist has trained. For example, the Southern sword is relatively shorter in length than the Northern sword. Consequently, the emphasis of the sword applications for the Southern stylist is more on defense. In comparison, the Northern sword is relatively longer, and Northern sword users emphasize attacking. External styles have more linear and straightforward techniques. Such techniques must be executed externally, requiring more muscular movements. But the basic techniques of internal styles emphasize more sensitivity and qi cultivation/circulation. Therefore, sticking, adhering, coiling, and circling are the main elements in their practice.

Introduction to Fundamental Training

The sword is the king of the short weapons. Skilled use of the sword is built on the experience gained from working with the saber, which is called the root of the short weapons. Any martial artist who wants to master the sword should first master the saber; otherwise, it will be extremely difficult to understand both the applications of the techniques and the source of power in sword practice. Although the saber is the root of the short weapons, its techniques and power combinations are very different from those of the sword. For example, the saber uses more muscular power. The dull edge of the saber is designed for blocking vigorously, but this action cannot be done with the sword. The sword is double edged. Using either edge to block will dull or nick the blade. With the sword, only that third of the blade nearest the hilt is designed for vigorous blocking. The sharpened part of the blade should not be allowed to make contact with the opponent's weapon. Therefore, a defensive attack, without blocking, is the best sword technique, and a sliding block, followed by an attack, is the second best. The least desirable defense is to block using the dull area of the blade.

Saber vs. Sword Strategy

The fighting strategy is also different between saber and sword. The saber fighter will try to keep the enemy in short and middle range in order to take advantage of the saber's vigorous blocking and attacking power. To do this, the saber fighter always uses his two hands together. One hand holds the saber while the other is used for coordination and balance, or to grasp the enemy's wrist, arm, or weapon. The sword fighter, however, tries to keep the enemy in the middle and long range in order to use the razor-sharp tip of the sword effectively. In addition, by keeping some distance from the opponent, it is easier to avoid violent attacks.

For applying power, the saber relies on muscular strength, while the sword uses both the muscles and internal power (qi) together, in order to defend against a heavy weapon or a strong attack. Because of the more refined nature of the power needed, the sword calls for more technique, more skill, and more training time.

Most importantly, practicing the saber will help the student to understand the general applications and fighting strategies of short weapons. In learning the sword, the student should first cultivate the virtues of patience and calmness, and develop a firm will. He should understand the form and application of every movement.

Saga of the chinese sword

The ancient Chinese regarded the sword as a very important weapon, as evidenced by the relatively large number of documents about it and the frequency with which swords turn up in archeological digs. It is the only weapon that has been used and admired continuously from the beginning of Chinese history to the present day.

Over time, the sword has evolved from a short, wide copper weapon to a long, slim steel one, a result of gradual improvements in metallurgy over thousands of years. The techniques for using the sword have also evolved with the changes in structure and quality. The short, wide copper blade would not hold an edge and was soft so that it could be used only at short range to hack and stab. Bronze is brittle, as is cast iron. Therefore, blades made of these materials would break easily when they were used for blocking.

The longer the sword, the longer the effective fighting range, so the full array of fundamental techniques in use today were only made possible with the discovery of hardened, tempered steel. The number of fundamental techniques increased significantly from a very few with the early short, wide swords to more than thirty in use today.

Swords differed from one dynasty to another, in terms of shape, handle style, and sheath decoration. The changes came about not only because of developments in metallurgy but also because of the influence of other cultures, particularly those of the invaders of China: the Mongolians (蒙古人), Manchurians (滿州人), Tibetans (西藏人), and Himalayans (喜馬拉亞人). China has in turn been a major influence on the cultures of nearby regions, such as Korea, Japan, and Indo-China. For example, the Japanese samurai sword may have been imported originally from China during the Tang dynasty (唐朝) (AD 618–907), as well as many other weapons, which are similar in appearance to those of Tang China.

First Recorded Existence of Swords

The Chinese of 3000 to 4000 BC, like other prehistoric societies, probably used the sticks and stones that lay about them to settle their disputes. Not until the time of the first recorded emperor, Huang Di (黃帝) (2697–2597 BC), called the "Yellow Emperor" because he ruled the territory near the Yellow River, does evidence exist for weapons made of something other than stone. Huang Di had swords made of jade, copper, and gold. This period, therefore, marks the beginning of the metallurgical science in arms manufacturing in China. Knowledge of Huang Di's weapons comes from discoveries near Zhuo Lu (涿鹿) of knives and swords, remnants of ancient battles between the emperor's forces and those of Chi Yu (蚩尤). By the time of the Shang dynasty (商朝) (1766–1122 BC), swords made of copper alloys were in use. Bronze ushered in this era, but by its close, iron was being used. The Zhou dynasty (周朝) (909–255 BC) replaced the Shang, following fierce warfare. Both emperors demanded better swords and in this way stimulated advances in metallurgy, although naturally the emphasis was on finding alloys for stronger swords. As the power of the Zhou dynasty diminished and the emperor's control weakened, China was thrust into a series of civil wars. This time is known as the Spring and Autumn Period (Chun Qiu, 春秋) (722–484 BC) and the Warring States Period (Zhan Guo, 戰國) (403–222 BC). Each of the many warring factions strove to produce stronger and sharper weapons than before, and sword makers of the day were held in the highest regard.

Three of the most famous sword makers of that period were Ou Ye Zi (歐冶子), Gan Jiang (干將), and Mo Xie (莫邪)Ou Ye Zi forged two very famous swords, Ju Que (巨闕) and Zhan Lu (湛盧). It is said that these swords were so sharp that if they were dipped in water, they would be withdrawn perfectly dry. Gan Jiang and Mo Xie were husband and wife, and forged two swords that bore their names. After Zhou, the Qin dynasty began (秦朝) (255–206 BC). When the emperor Qin Shi Huang (秦始皇) (221–209 BC) took power, he heard that the Wu Emperor (吳) He Lu (闔閭) had collected tens of thousands of swords from all over China, and had them buried with him when he died. Three hundred years later Emperor Qin Shi Huang ordered his men to find the swords. After many years of searching and digging, the emperor had only a large hole for his efforts. Eventually, the pit filled with water and came to be known as the Sword Pond (劍池) in Suzhou (蘇州). During the Han dynasty (漢朝) (6 BC–AD 220), the process of alloying iron instead of copper was first described in the book Huai Nan's Thousand Crafts (Huai Nan Wan Hua Shu, 淮南萬華術), a volume on metallurgy. The Three Kingdoms Period followed (San Guo, 三國) (AD 220–280). The famous Cao-Cao (曹操) is reputed to have had swords that could cut iron as if it were mud. There is a story about his rival, Liu Bei (劉備), that illustrates the effect of tempered iron swords. Liu, as a descendant of the Han imperial family, felt he had the duty to reunite China. To do this he occupied Shu (蜀) in western China, also called Sichuan Province (四川省), and began preparing his army for war.

To recruit the best fighters, he often held and presided over contests, and one day two fighters stepped forward, one with an iron rod, the other with a saber. During the fight, the rod wielder knocked down the saber man and brought his rod down to finish the fight. Everyone present was amazed when the iron rod broke in two as it was blocked by the saber. The maker of that saber, Pu Yuan (浦元), was found and immediately commissioned to forge weapons for Liu Bei.

Iron, Copper, Bronze, Steel Swords

From the Three Kingdoms Period to the Northern Zhou dynasty (Bei Zhou, 北周) (AD 557–581), little is known about the weapons used, although copper is considered to have been the predominant metal in use during this time. The Sui and Tang dynasties (隋、唐) (AD 581–907) are the brightest and most peaceful eras in Chinese history. Famous scholars, poets, and other artists flourished, while the arts of war were not demanded. In AD 907, the country was once again divided, this time into five parts, known as the Five Dynasties (Wu Dai, 五代) (AD 907–960). They were later reunited in the Song dynasty (宋朝) (AD 960–1280). The Song ended with the invasion of the Mongols (the Jin race, 金), who founded the Yuan dynasty (元朝) (AD 1206–1368). This mixing of cultures resulted in more changes in sword styles.

In AD 1368 the Mongols were defeated by the Chinese, and the Ming dynasty (明朝) (AD 1368–1644) began. Then the Manchurians invaded and formed the Qing dynasty (清朝) (AD 1644–1911). During these later dynasties, steel and other alloys were used to make swords, which were longer than ever. There were three places during the Qing dynasty that became famous for the quality of their weapons. Two are in Zhejiang Province (浙江省) in eastern China: Long Quan (龍泉) and Wu Kang (武康). The other is Qin Yang (沁陽) in Henan Province (河南省), the site of the Shaolin Temple (少林寺). These places attracted great sword makers because of the quality of their water. No one was sure why the water was superior, but the great arms forged in Long Quan for centuries were attributed to its superior qualities.

In the eighteenth century, firearms were introduced into China, and further development of the sword as a martial weapon ceased. Consequently, swords and other weapons used for martial arts study remain in the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

About the Jian

This is because most students of Chinese martial arts have not also studied Chinese culture. Very little of the available martial literature has been translated into European languages and the number of qualified and knowledgeable masters is steadily diminishing.

Definition of the Sword

There are two kinds of weapons commonly called a sword by the Western world. One is the double-edged, straight, and narrow-bladed weapon, which is called a "jian" in Chinese. The other is the single-edged weapon with a slightly curving, wide blade, which in China is called a dao. This second weapon is also referred to as a saber. If either of these two types of weapon is shorter than the forearm, it is referred to as a dagger (bi shou). Daggers can easily be hidden in one's boot or sleeve.

Names of Swords

Chinese swords were often given names. These names usually indicated either the sword's origin or its owner. The origin could be the name of the mountain where the ore used to make the sword was found (e.g., Kun Wu jian), the place where the sword was forged (e.g., Long Quan jian), or the smith who forged the sword (e.g., Gan Jiang, and Mo Xie). Of course, its owner could also name the sword as he or she pleased (e.g., Judge Dee's sword, Rain Dragon). The sword could also be named for the style of the sequence for which it was designed to be used (e.g., taiji jian).

Names of Sword Sequences

Sword sequences are commonly named for mountains near where the sequence was created, such as Wudang jian); for a division or style of gongfu, such as taiji jian; or for the person who composed the sequence, such as Qi's family sword (Qi men jian). The creator of the sequence could also name them as he pleases, such as Three Power sword (San Cai jian).

Functions of the Sword

More than most weapons, the sword serves a variety of purposes. Its length and structure made the sword an effective and portable defensive weapon, and it was used most often as a defensive, rather than an offensive, weapon. Because the sword is shorter than the spear, the halberd, and many of the other large battle weapons, the sword lacks long-range killing potential. Thus, in battle, the sword was used when the soldier's main weapon was lost or broken. In peacetime, the sword was carried by scholars and magistrates, as well as by soldiers. The sword came to symbolize the bearer's status. This function of the sword developed to the point that some swords carried by scholars (wen jian) were so ornate they could not easily be used for fighting, although this was unusual before the advent of firearms. Lastly, the sword was an integral part of many dances.

Why the Sword is Respected

The sword art has been respected in China not only because the techniques and skills needed to wield it are hard to learn, but also more importantly because the morality and spirit of the practitioner have to be of a very high order to reach the highest levels of the art. The training is long and arduous, and most people first learn to use other short weapons, such as the saber, in order to build a foundation. In addition, the sword provides both scholars and martial artists with an elegant feeling and self-respect. It often comes to represent the morality and profound accomplishments in Chinese martial arts that its bearer has achieved. Moreover, since many Chinese emperors in the past specially favored the sword, it has come to symbolize both power and authority in Chinese culture, much as it does in the rest of the world.

Carrying the Sword

In China, the sword was either slung from a belt around the waist or hung on the back with shoulder straps. The sword could be either carried over the shoulder in a soft scabbard for easy drawing, or a hard scabbard that could be quickly untied from the back for quick access. The way a person carried his sword depended on the weight and length of the sword—double swords and martial swords (wu jian) were ordinarily carried on the back—as well as personal preference.

How to Inspect a Sword

There are two occasions upon which a sword will be inspected: by the swordsman after using the sword, and by an admirer of the weapon (possibly for purchase). There are several very important conventions to be observed when one inspects a sword, and they should be communicated to the neophyte prior to allowing him to handle the weapon.

First, the sword is always passed from person to person hilt first. This minimizes the danger of accidental injury, which is always a possibility when dealing with any weapon. Second, the sword handler never touches the blade with bare skin because the sweat-salt and oils from the skin will result in corrosion. Third, the blade is always kept at least eight inches (20–30 cm) away from the nose and mouth, since moisture from the breath can also result in corrosion of the blade. Fourth, the sword handler never points the sword at another person, both for safety and out of courtesy. Fifth, the edge of the blade is inspected by holding the sword by its hilt in one hand and resting the other end against the scabbard. If there is no scabbard, the sleeve may be used so that the blade is protected from corrosion.

Finally, although it is not a traditional observance, experience has shown that it is generally not a good idea to flourish the sword while inspecting it. This sort of cavalier treatment of the weapon can often result in accidental injury, especially in crowded areas, and most especially if there are children about. The sword is a dangerous weapon. It should be wielded only for practice or defense, and safety must always be your first priority.

How to Select a Taiji Sword

Because of the success of modern metallurgical techniques, there is no longer a need for the student to forge his own sword, as was sometimes necessary in ancient times. Excellent swords can be bought at most martial arts supply stores. A modern sword made from spring steel is the equal of or superior to most common swords of antiquity. Plated, nontempered swords are also available and are considerably cheaper than the spring steel variety; however, these are definitely only practice swords. Selection criteria for a taiji sword are as follows:

The length from the tip of the sword to the handle should be as long as the height from your feet to the base of your sternum.
The taper of the blade from hilt to tip should be smooth and steady, with no abrupt changes in width or thickness.
The blade must be straight when viewed down the edge.
The blade must be firmly mounted in the handle. It should not rattle when you shake it.
Spring steel blades must be flexible enough to bend 30 degrees and not retain any bow.
The sword should be balanced at a point one-third of its length up from the hilt end. If it is not, the balance must be altered or the sword will not handle properly.
The tang of the blade (the part of the blade that extends down into the handle) should be as long and as wide as possible. Often, cheaper swords are merely bolted into the handle and will break easily at this point.

The quality and finish of the wood and fittings used to construct the sword's handle and scabbard must be adequate. Traditionally, the fittings would be made from brass. Stainless steel might also be a good choice, but I have never seen it used. Cheap wood in the handle and scabbard will quickly crack, rendering the sword useless, no matter how strong the blade.

Jian’s structure

Usually, the sword is one continuous piece of metal, and the hand guard and handle are slipped onto the butt end (the tang) and held in place with a knot-shaped nut or with a pin or rivet. On well-made swords, there may also be brass pegs going through the handle and the tang itself. The blade or sword body is sharpened on both edges, and the tip is either rounded or sharply pointed as described below. Swords are from 20 inches to 50 inches long and less than 1.5 inches in width.

Sword Zones

The length is divided into three zones. The top third of the blade is extremely thin and razor sharp. The top third is never used for blocking because it can be notched very easily. Instead, this sharp part is used only for attack. The middle third of the blade is thicker and less sharp than the top third. This part of the blade is used for sliding, guiding away, sticking, and cutting. The bottom third of the blade is very thick and unsharpened and is generally used for situations when violent blocking is needed. The taiji martial artist attempts to keep his opponents in the middle and long range for proper use of his weapon.

Types of Swords

Although there are numerous kinds of swords, only five will be described here. Among these, the first two (A and B) are the most common sword types and are the designs used most often by today's practitioners. The other three types are specialized modifications of the first two. Although they can be used with most common sword techniques, there are additional special techniques made possible by their design.

A. Scholar's Sword (Wen Jian, 文劍). This sword is also called a female sword. It is long and light, with a rounded tip. It is not commonly used for war, but for self-defense and for dancing. It was also commonly carried by scholars to present an elegant appearance or was hung on a wall to decorate a room.

B. Martial Sword (Wu Jian, 武劍). This sword, also known as a male sword, is long and heavy, with a pointed tip. Be- cause of its killing potential, it was mainly used in battle.

C. Wu Hooked Sword (Wu Gou Jian, 吳鉤劍). This sword was invented during the Wu dynasty (吳朝) (AD 222–280) and is designed for cutting an enemy's limbs, or his horse's legs, after blocking a weapon.

D. Saw Toothed Sword (Ju Chi Jian, 鋸齒劍). This sword has a serrated edge to give it greater cutting ability. The edge design probably originated when someone found that a badly nicked blade seemed to cut more viciously. The two holes in the tip of the sword resemble the eyes of a snake and make a whooshing noise when the sword is swung.

E. Snake Tongue Sword (She She Jian, 蛇舌劍). This sword has a wavy blade, which again makes for a fearful cut. The double point may have given the fighter a way to catch his opponent's weapon at long range.

The Blood Groove (Xue Gou, 血溝). When a sword fighter stabs his enemy, the blade is fixed in the enemy's body by the body's attempt to close the wound. It creates a suction effect on the blade. These factors make it difficult to withdraw the weapon. To solve this problem, most martial swords (wu jian, 武劍) were forged with a groove down each side of the blade, called a blood groove. In battle, the warrior is faced with a multitude of enemies, so he must be able to get the blade free as quickly as possible. Without the blood groove, freeing the embedded sword would require the swordsman to either widen the wound by twisting the blade or thrust the sword completely through the body to break the suction.

The Tassel (Jian Sui, 劍繐). Many swords in use today have a tassel hanging from the hilt to enhance its appearance. Generally, this tassel has no martial usefulness for the jian. However, there are some swords with long tassels (chang sui jian, 長繐劍), where the tassel is designed to attack the opponent's eyes.

Historically, the scholar's sword, the dancing sword, and the decorative sword usually had a tassel, and the martial sword almost never did. The reasons for not using a tassel are as follows: first, the tassel changes the balance of the sword, making it harder to handle; second, it can become entangled in the sword arm, distracting the sword fighter; third, the opponent can grab the tassel and gain control of the sword.

The Sheath (Jian Qiao, 劍鞘). There are two types of scabbards: the scholar sheath and the martial sheath. The scholar sheath is made of wood, covered with snake or alligator skin to make it waterproof and to protect the sword from moisture. The martial sheath is made of metal to enable it to withstand more abuse; in addition, the metal sheath can be used for blocking. Sheaths should be straight and stiff, and the brackets for the hanger must be tight and not slide up and down the sheath.

Sword Structure and Technique in Relation to Geography

The swords used today are almost all based on Qing dynasty designs, so only these kinds of swords will be described here. Northern Chinese tend to be taller than Southerners, and there are cultural differences as well, which have resulted in North/South distinctions in both the structure and techniques of the sword.

Northern characteristics of the sword

Swords are relatively long and narrow (the narrow blade reduces the weight). The average sword is six inches longer than arm length.
Sword guards face forward so the swordsman can lock the opponent's weapon.
Northern styles are more offensive or attack oriented, and specialize in long- and middle-range fighting.

Southern characteristics of the sword

Swords are short, averaging arm length, and are relatively wide and thick (to in- crease the weight).
Sword guards slant backward toward the hilt, to slide the opponent's weapon away, in preparation for an attack at close range.
Southern fighting styles are more defensive, specializing in short- and middle-range fighting.

The taiji sword is generally longer than other Northern swords. The length of the taiji sword selected depends upon the individual. The length should match your height from the feet to the base of the sternum. There are many different taiji styles in existence today. Therefore, there are many different versions of taiji sword training. It does not matter how the branches and flowers grow; they all originated from the same taiji root, the yin and yang theory.

Other

In addition to the obvious self-defense uses, swords were commonly carried by scholars for their elegance. Also, because of its beauty, the Jian has always been popular for use in dance. Although the art of the sword has enjoyed a glorious past, its future is uncertain. Modern culture leads people away from its study for several reasons. First, the gun replaced the sword as a personal weapon over a century ago because of its ease of operation and concealment, and greater killing potential. This leads people to believe that sword techniques have no practical value. Second, there are few masters qualified to teach, and thereby to preserve, the artistry of handling the sword. Finally, proficiency in sword techniques requires much time, patience, and practice, and few people today seem willing to exert the energy necessary to learn the ancient art of the Chinese sword.

The study and practice of sword techniques, however, like that of any martial art, has value far beyond that derived from merely perfecting the technique due to its intrinsic historical value. This art form has been developing for over 4,000 years and represents a great development of human culture. Sword training promotes good health. Like any sport, perfecting the art of the sword requires extensive physical training, which results in a strong, finely-tuned body. Sword technique retains its personal defense value because it trains one’s perceptions and reactions, allowing for quick and correct response to any situation. Finally, the most important aspect of the art of the sword remains its moral value. The practitioner must learn patience, perseverance, and humility. If the student persists and concentrates, sword art will strengthen his spiritual confidence and power.

Sword sequences are commonly named for a mountain near where the sequence was created such as Kun Wu Jian, for a style of Gongfu, such as Taiji Jian, or for the person who composed the sequence such as Qi Men Jian. It can also be named by the creator of the sequence as he pleases, such as San Cai Jian (Three Powers Sword). I have been attracted by sword techniques since I started martial arts, when I was fifteen years old. The principles of southern sword, and its manner of use, are very different from those of the northern sword. Nevertheless, since they all build upon the same basic root and theory, once you have learned one, it becomes much easier to pick up the other. I have been more fortunate than many others, since I have had a chance to learn both the southern sword (White Crane) and northern sword (Long Fist). This has provided me with a broader scope of understanding, both in skills and theory. I hope the readers will treat the learning process as a lifelong project instead of a temporary attraction. Only if you have this commitment and attitude, are you able to reach the profound level of the art.

Emperor, Huang Di (2690-2590 BC), known as the “Yellow Emperor” because he ruled the territory near the Yellow River, had swords made of jade, copper, and gold. This period marks the beginning of the metallurgical science in arms manufacturing in China. Over time the sword has changed from a short, wide copper weapon to a long, slim steel one because of gradual improvements in metallurgy over thousands of years, and the techniques for using the sword have changed with these changes in qualities. The short, wide copper blade would not hold an edge and was soft, so that it could only be used at short range to hack and stab. Bronze is brittle, as is cast iron, therefore blades made of these materials would break easily when they were used for blocking. The longer the sword the longer the effective fighting range, so that the full array of fundamental techniques in use today were only made possible with the discovery of hardened and tempered steel in this millennium. The number of fundamental techniques has increased significantly from a very few with the early short, wide swords, to more than thirty in use today.

Selection criteria for a Northern Style sword are as follows:

It should be 30 inches long, or longer, and the hand guard should point toward the sword tip rather than toward the hand.
The taper of the blade from hilt to tip should be smooth and steady, with no abrupt changes of width or thickness.
The blade must be straight when viewed down the edge.
The blade must be firmly mounted in the handle. It should not rattle when you shake it.
Spring steel blades must be flexible enough to bend 30 degrees and not retain any bow. The dealer may not like this test, so you must be firm about it.
The sword should balance at a point one third of its length from the hilt end. If it does not, the balance must be altered or it will not handle properly.

Fundamental Sword Training and Practice

Fighting Strategy for Saber and Sword

Although the saber is the root of the short weapons, its techniques and power applications are very different from those of the sword. For example, the saber uses muscle power. The blunt edge of the saber is designed for blocking vigorously, but this action cannot be done with the Jian. Since the sword is double-edged, using either edge to block will dull the blade. With the sword only the third of the blade nearest the hilt is designed for vigorous blocking. The sharpened part of the blade should not be allowed to contact the opponent’s weapon. Therefore, a defensive attack without blocking is the best sword technique, and a sliding block followed by an attack is the second best. The least desirable defense is to block using the blunt area of the blade.

The fighting strategy is also different between saber and sword. The saber fighter will try to keep the enemy in the short and middle range in order to take advantage of the saber’s vigorous blocking and attacking power. To do this the saber fighter always uses two hands together. One hand holds the saber while the other is used for coordination and balance or to grasp the enemy’s wrist, arm, or weapon. The Jian fighter, however, tries to keep the enemy in the middle or long range in order to be able to use the razor sharp tip of the sword effectively. In addition, by keeping some distance from the opponent it is easier to avoid violent attacks.

For applying power the saber relies on muscle power, while the Jian uses muscle and internal power (Qi) together in order to defend against a heavy weapon or a strong attack. Because of the more refined power needed, the sword needs more technique, more skill, and more training time.

Even though there are so many differences between the saber and the sword, the saber is still the foundation of sword practice. It builds up the stances, dodging, and the basic forward and backward movements. It also builds the muscles required for sword practice. Most important of all, practicing the saber will help the student to understand in general the application and the fighting strategy of short weapons.

Grips and the Secret Sword

Mastering the sword requires learning to project power into the weapon, but if a person generated power only on one side of the body, disorders would result. To avoid this, sword practitioners hold the empty hand with the index and middle fingers extended and the thumb folded over the other two fingers. When power is extended into the sword, it is also projected from the extended fingers of the empty hand to balance the energy. This is known as the secret sword. It is also used for applying cavity press when appropriate. There is also an open hand secret sword, which is occasionally used in some styles, primarily those in which muscular strength dominates the sword application.

There are two basic ways to hold the sword: left-handed and right-handed. The left-handed grip is used at the beginning of sequences, for defensive blocks, and to hold the sword while the right hand is used for a cavity press. The right-handed grip (Figure 2) is the usual grip for using the sword. The correct tightness must be maintained. If the grip is too tight you will lose flexibility and inhibit energy flow. If the grip is too loose, it is easy to be disarmed. The sword should be held like an egg, neither broken nor dropped. The grip should be alive.

Fundamental Sword Stances

There are eight fundamental stances in Shaolin Long Fist Sword. The student should become proficient in every one. Each style of Gongfu has its own characteristic stances, and there are variations. Only Northern Shaolin Long Fist stances will be discussed here. It is important to understand that the basic stances are the foundation of the techniques. If the foundation is not firm, then the techniques cannot be performed properly, for they will be unstable. It is the leg forms that are important in the illustrations; the hand forms can vary for the same stance.

The Horse Stance (Ma Bu). This stance (Figure 3) is the most fundamental and is especially valuable in building up the strength of the knees. To assume this stance, place the feet parallel slightly beyond shoulder width. Bend the knees until a 90-degree angle is formed between the back part of the calf and the thigh, keeping the back straight. It is important to concentrate on directing the power of the legs straight down and not to the side, as if standing on stilts. The knees should not bow out, but should be turned slightly inward. To practice this stance the student should begin by standing straight with both feet together and jump into the horse stance. The beginning student should try to maintain the stance for at least five minutes, but no longer than ten.

The Mountain Climbing Stance or Bow and Arrow Stance (Deng Shan Bu, Gong Jian Bu). This stance is one of the most commonly used offensive stances. About 60 percent of the weight is on the front leg and 40 percent on the rear. The front knee is above the toes and the back leg is straight. The front foot should be turned inward about 15 degrees and the hips should face the direction of the forward leg.

The Crossed Leg Stance (Zuo Pan Bu). This stance can be used either for attack or defense. To assume this stance first stand in the Horse Stance. Raise the right toe while pivoting on the right heel. At the same time, turn right until the body is facing to the rear. During the turn the left foot pivots and turns on its toe. Bend the knees until the left knee is about one inch off the ground. In this final position the right foot is flat and the left is on its toes. For turning to the left reverse directions and weighting.

The Four-Six Stance (Si Liu Bu). This is one of the most versatile stances in Wushu. (Figure 4). From this stance, the martial artist can switch into various techniques with relative ease. In this stance, 40 percent of the weight is on the front leg, while 60 percent is on the back leg. The knee of the front leg should be turned slightly inward and bent. Never straighten the knee in this stance, because if a kick were to land on the stiffened knee, it could easily break it. The front foot should be at a 15-degree angle inward. In addition, the back knee must be flexed and turned inward toward the groin.

To change into the Four-Six Stance from the Horse Stance, turn the body to either direction so that the back leg holds 60 percent of the total weight and the front has 40 percent of the weight.

The Taming the Tiger Stance (Fu Hu Bu). This stance is generally used as a defense against high attacks. This stance has a particularly interesting origin. During the Song Dynasty (A.D. 960-1280) a famous hero named Wu Song was suddenly attacked in the jungle by a huge tiger. As the tiger leapt at him, Wu Song drew his only weapon, a small dagger, and bent low to avoid the leaping tiger. While the tiger was hurling over him, Wu Song stabbed the tiger in the belly and killed it, thus taming the tiger.

To assume this stance, begin by standing in the Horse Stance. Then squat down on the left leg until your thigh is parallel to the ground. The right leg should be extended straight out to the side. Both feet must be planted flat and the back is kept straight. Repeat on the right leg.

The Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg Stance (Jin Ji Du Li). This stance is generally used to set up for quick leg attacks. To assume this stance raise one leg until the knee is as high as possible.

The False Stance (Xuan Ji Bu, Xu Bu). This stance can be used for quick kicking. To assume this stance, place all the body’s weight on one leg and lightly touch the ground with the toe of the other. To change legs, turn the body 180 degrees while shifting the weight from the rear foot to the front foot, which becomes the rear foot. Make sure the lead leg has no weight on it.

The Unicorn Stance (Qi Lin Bu). This stance is another extremely versatile stance; the martial artist can easily move backward while having the ability to kick from the rear leg. The name of the stance comes from the belief

that a unicorn had to bend its knee in order to bow. To assume the stance, start in the Horse Stance. Next, place the right leg behind the left leg. The knee of the right leg should be one inch above the ground and behind the left ankle. The right leg is on its toes and is at a 90-degree angle to the left foot. The left leg has about 80 percent of the weight. This stance is commonly used for withdrawal. Reverse this process for the other leg.

In learning the sword, the student should first cultivate the virtues of patience and calmness, and develop a firm will. He should understand the form and application of every movement.

The Etiquette of Jian

The question of sword etiquette has also been bothering me. I have tried to find information about sword etiquette which includes how the jian is to be carried and to be drawn. At this present moment, I can only say that there is no etiquette for jian This may be explained in four aspects.

Historical background

In the past, the civilians are not allowed to carry or even possess any weapons. If anyone had weapon, he would often be charged as rebellion. So any civilian who wanted to carry weapon would covered it up carefully. For people who had to travel around and wanted to have a jian for self-defense, he would roll his jian (usually short one) in a big piece of cloth which was then carried on his back. For government officials who could carry swords openly, they would just hang their swords from their waistbands with strings. No special steps were to be followed when drawing their swords.

Jian Fight in China

Although martial art is so commonly practiced in China, there is no practice of duel. Through the long history in China, it is extremely unusual to have duel which was openly accepted. Wu shu contests were often on friendly basis. Of course there were killing and fighting among martial art schools or clans. What I am saying is there was no openly or officially accepted duel in which the duelist was entitled to kill his opponent. There was the practice of duel in Europe, America and Japan, but not in China. This may also be a reason why there is no etiquette for sword in China.

In a duel, the faster you draw your weapon, the better chance you can kill your opponent. Yet in a friendly wu shu contest, the main objective is find out which one is more effective in attack and defense. In a duel, the target is the life; in a wu shu contest, the target is the martial art itself.

The Class of Knight

In Chinese culture, knowledge has long been regarded as more important than sports and martial arts. If we take a look at the social classes in China in the past thousand years, there was no such class as knight or samural. In the Western countries and Japan, a knight or a samural had special political and social status. He could carry his weapon anywhere. There was no knight in China, instead there was a scholar class. In Tang and Song Dynasties (before 1200 A.D.), a scholar could carry a jian as most scholars at that time also practice wu shu. In Yuan and Qing Dynasties, a scholar did not carry weapon in normal case. For those wu shu masters and practitioners, they were allowed (unofficially) to possess some weapons as wu shu teaching and practicing (not in Yuan Dynasty). Yet these weapons were supposed not to be carried around. In many wu shu training schools, the jians and daos used for practicing were not sharpened and sometimes even a substitute made of some other materials.

The Culture of Jian

In China, there is the Art of Jian and the Culture of Jian rather than that likes Kando of Japan. Chinese have never think of "upgrading" the art of jian into a discipline (a dao 道). The art of jian has merged into the Chinese culture in general life. In China, jian has been mentioned in poems and famous novels. Jian is also a symbol with significant meanings. It has multiple roles including decoration, a sign of honour, a sign of power and rank, a religious symbol of ritual purpose, ...etc.

Since there are at least 18 feats (wu yi, 武藝) in Chinese wu shu, jian, as the other feats, does not have special etiquette. In Chinese wu shu contest, a contester often draws his weapon before he salutes to his opponent. The most common salute is just holding one fist with the other hand in front of the chest (抱拳).

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