32-Style Tai Chi Sword: Teaching and Learning

Author: Li Deyin / et al
Editor-in-Chief: Tong Hui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-01-01
Features: Excerpt:
I. Basic Knowledge of Taiji Sword
(I) Overview of Swordsmanship
The sword and the art of swordsmanship have a long history in China. As early as recorded in The Spring and Autumn Annals of Wu and Yue, King Goujian of Yue, trained his army to strengthen the state, determined to avenge the loss of his kingdom. Just as King Goujian was preparing to fight Wu with utmost dedication, the minister Fan Li recommended a rural girl skilled in swordsmanship to the king. She precisely explained the entire theory of swordsmanship and believed: "Its principles are subtle yet easy, its meaning profound yet deep. There are doors and passages in the way, as well as yin and yang."
"When wielding a sword in battle, the inner spirit is strong, while the outer appearance seems relaxed. It appears like a gentle woman, yet it strikes like a fierce tiger. To sense the opponent's energy, one must move with the body and spirit. It is as elusive as the sun, yet as swift as a rabbit escaping. To chase the form and shadow, one must be as elusive as a phantom. The breaths come and go, yet they are beyond the rules. In all directions, the sword moves freely, yet it is never heard."
She eloquently and thoroughly explained the dialectics of movement and stillness, speed and slowness, attack and defense, emptiness and fullness, inner and outer, reverse and forward, and breath in swordsmanship. She emphasized the elements of agility, unpredictability, and winning by surprise. This is the famous story of "The Yue Maiden's Skill in Swordsmanship," which demonstrates the high level of swordsmanship at that time.
Through generations of inheritance and development, swordsmanship gradually evolved into the modern "" ( exercise) form with an independent system. Its characteristics include lightness, agility, grace, effortless flow, flexibility, adaptability, and a balance of strength and softness. The martial arts proverb goes, "A knife is like a fierce tiger, and a sword is like a flying phoenix," and "The sword moves gracefully."
Modern swordsmanship is extremely rich in content, such as Taiji Sword, Taiyi Sword, Eight Immortals Sword, Bagua Sword, Chunyang Sword, Daruma Sword, Qingping Sword, Qinglong Sword, Qinghong Sword, Feihong Sword, Emei Sword, Kunlun Sword, Wudang Sword, Kunwu Sword, Sancai Sword, Sanhe Sword, Qi Xing Sword, Shisan Sword, Long Xing Sword, Panlong Sword, Yunlong Sword, Longfeng Sword, Mantis Sword, Tongbi Sword, Tanpao Sword, Chuanlin Sword, Qixing Sword, Jingang Sword, Lianhuan Sword, and Double-Handed Sword, among others.
Among these, there are three forms of practice: solo, paired, and group. Solo practice is the foundation. In terms of content, swordsmanship can be divided into single-sword and double-sword categories. Single-sword practice is usually with the right hand holding the sword, but there are also reverse-hand and double-hand methods (where the sword blade and handle are long, requiring both hands to hold). Double-sword practice involves both hands holding swords, which coordinate and complement each other. Both single and double swords can be paired with long or short streamers, hence the names Long-Streamered Sword and Short-Streamered Sword.
In terms of style, swordsmanship can be categorized into four types: Posture Sword, Walking Sword, Continuous Sword, and Drunken Sword. The characteristics of Posture Sword are clear stances, distinct rhythms, strong posture, and elegant form. The characteristics of Walking Sword are continuous movement with minimal pauses, emphasizing the word "walking," fluid and unobstructed. The characteristics of Continuous Sword are seamless and circular movements, endless and flowing. The characteristics of Drunken Sword are unrestrained like drunkenness, alternating between slow and fast, taking inspiration from forms, and combining spirit and form.