32 Forms Tai Chi Sword -- Teaching and Learning

Author: None
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-02-19
Features:
Segment: I. Basic Knowledge of Tai Chi Sword (I) Overview of Swordsmanship
The history of the sword and swordsmanship in China is long-standing. 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 great determination, 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, but when seized, it is like a fierce tiger. To sense the opponent's energy and move with the body, spirit and body move as one. It is as elusive as the sun, yet as quick as a rabbit escaping. To chase the form and follow the shadow, it is as if seen in a dream. The breaths come and go, yet the technique is not hindered. In all directions, whether forward or backward, it flows seamlessly."
She explained the dialectical relationship in swordsmanship—movement and stillness, speed and slowness, attack and defense, emptiness and fullness, inner and outer, reverse and forward, and breath and exhale—in a profound and thorough manner. This is the famous story of the "Skilled Yue Girls in Swordsmanship" in history, demonstrating the high level of swordsmanship at that time.
Through the inheritance and development over the generations, 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 hardness and softness. The martial arts proverb goes, "Swords are like fierce tigers, while swords are like flying phoenixes," and "The sword moves gracefully."
Modern swordsmanship is extremely rich in content, including Tai Chi Sword, Tai Yi Sword, Eight Immortals Sword, Bagua Sword, Pure Yang Sword, Daruma Sword, Qingping Sword, Qinglong Sword, Qinghong Sword, Feihong Sword, Emei Sword, Kunlun Sword, Wudang Sword, Kunwu Sword, Sancai Sword, Sanhe Sword, Qixing Sword, Thirteen Swords, Dragon Form Sword, Panlong Sword, Yunlong Sword, Dragon and Phoenix Sword, Mantis Sword, Through-Arm Sword, Spring and Autumn Sword, Qixing Sword, Golden Vajra Sword, Linked Sword, and Two-Handed Sword, among others.
Among these swordsmanship styles, there are three forms of practice: solo, paired, and group. The solo form is the foundation. In terms of content, swordsmanship can be divided into two major categories: single sword and double sword. Single sword practice is mostly with the right hand holding the sword, but there are also reverse-hand and two-handed forms (where the sword is held with the back of the blade away from the mouth and both hands grip the sword, which is longer in both blade and handle). 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 Streamer Sword and Short Streamer 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 and healthy posture, and dignified and well-structured movements. The characteristics of Walking Sword are continuous movement with minimal pauses, emphasizing the word "walking," fluid and unobstructed movements. The characteristics of Continuous Sword are seamless and circular movements, endless and continuous, with the mind leading the body. The characteristics of Drunken Sword are unrestrained like drunkenness, alternating between slow and fast, imitating forms and capturing the essence, combining both spirit and form.