October 26th, 2005, 05:12 PM
|
 | Site Founder  | | Join Date: May 2001 Style(s): many Year(s): 25 +
Posts: 4,166
Rep Power: 100 | |
| The Chinese Sword
There's a new flexinode-1 entry added: The Chinese Sword | “ | <div class="flexinode-body flexinode-1"> Author:
Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit
<div class="flexinode-textarea-5"><div class="form-item"> Article:
[IMG]issues/oct00/sword01c.jpg[/IMG] This pattern known as "Green Dragon throws Pearl" is the most representative of sword patterns
The Chinese sword is frequently shown in kungfu sword-fighting movies, but its application is often mis-represented. One often sees in such movies the swordsmen using their swords like knives (scimitars or sabres), clashing their swords with other weapons, and producing a lot of clanging sound.
This indeed is a good example of how a sword should not be used. If you clash your sword with another weapon, especially a heavy weapon, you are likely to have your dainty sword broken into pieces. A common mistake made by many uninformed students is to use a Chinese sword as if it were a scimitar or sabre.
[IMG]issues/oct00/knife01c.jpg[/IMG] Two typical patterns of the kungfu knife, "Bail up Water to Rice Field" and "Fierce Tiger Descends Mountain".
Many people refer to a scimitar or sabre as a broadsword, but I prefer to use the term "knife" so as to maintain the crucial difference in Chinese between "dao" and "jian". Both are bladed weapons, but "dao", which I translate as "knife", is a comparatively heavy weapon with one sharp, curve edge whereas "jian", which I translate as "sword", is a light weapon with two sharp straight edges.
Using a "jian" or sword like a "dao" or knife is a clear indication that the user is unfamiliar with their martial applications. While there are many techniques common to both weapons, as the kungfu knife is ferocious and heavy whereas the kungfu sword is light and dainty, the fundamental principles guiding their combat application are characteristically different.
The following are some typical patterns of the Chinese sword.
[IMG]issues/oct00/sword02c.jpg[/IMG][IMG]issues/oct00/sword03c.jpg[/IMG]
| ” | | |
