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Taiji Sword is one of the forms of Wushu loved best by the public, and was created and developed on the basis of Taijiquan. Its movements are gentle and harmonious, and its sword strokes clear, and it differs from other sword styles in its sequence and structure and in the degree of strenuousness.
It is a suitable choice for practice by people of different ages and physical conditions and of both sexes. With the present widening spread of Taijiquan, more and more people in this country are also practising Taiji Sword. Each style of Taijiquan has its own particular character, and there are differences between the sword styles too. But a feature common to them all is their concentration on suppleness, but with strength in suppleness, without added jumps or elaborate strokes.
The 32-form Taiji Sword prepared and published in 1958 by the National Sports Council, was put together by selection and rearrangement on the basis of the old sequences. Because of its simplicity and ease of practise, it has become popular with the public at large. This Taiji Sword sequence is divided into four sections, and from start to finish goes back and forth just twice.
The direction and sequence are clearly defined, it is easy to teach and to learn, convenient for both individual and group practice, and particularly suitable for beginners. If one gets a grounding by means of this sword sequence, then later practising other 'Taiji Sword' or 'Taiji Sword for 2 people' sequences will be easier. If one practises Taiji Sword constantly, it will not only help improve one's skill in Taijiquan, but can also increase the suppleness and coordination of all parts of the body, and promote physical health.
Practising Taiji Sword body movement and steps.
Taiji Sword body movements and steps are practised in basically the same style as in Taijiquan, except that the speed should be a little more flexible, as all kinds of sword strokes are included. Attention should be paid to the attacking and defensive implications of different strokes.
Left Hand
When practising Taiji Sword, apart from the sword strokes, body action and steps, the coordination of the left hand, in 'sword fingers' position is very important. On the one hand it helps to transmit power to the point of the sword and to keep the body in balance, and on the other it can lend harmony and grace to the movements. If the left hand is not used properly, the movements are bound to be fragmented and disjointed. In every move and form in Taiji Sword, attention should be paid to the starting point, finishing point, and correct positioning of the left hand, otherwise the movements will appear disjointed and awkward, and the effectiveness of the training will thus be reduced.
Eyes
When practising Taiji Sword, the coordination of the eyes is also most important. Although the movements are gentle, there can be no laxness of concentration. The eyes and the sword should be directed towards the same spot, and one should aim to make "the sword and the mind combine as one."
When starting to practise Taiji Sword, it is essential to master the basics, for if the basic skills are not mastered, then the movements will be uncoordinated and unsteady. If body and sword are not together, then the benefit obtained will not be very great. If one can learn Taijiquan before learning Taiji Sword, and then afterwards go on to study 'Taiji Sword for 2 people,' the results will be much better, for bare-hands work is the basis of weapons play, as weapons play is an extension of the art of boxing.
There are two main aspects to mastering the basic skills. Firstly, pay attention to training the body. The actions of the body, legs, and eyes must be mastered and also the movements and coordination of the free hand.
Through basic exercises to stretch the leg muscles and loosen the waist, one can gradually increase the strength of the lower limbs, and improve the body's qualities of suppleness, agility, and stamina. Each movement and form requires full concentration and attention to detail, and every effort should be made to get the forms correct and the movements full, the steps steady and the body lithe.
Sword Strokes
Secondly, pay attention to practising the sword strokes. The sword strokes are the ways of using the sword for attack and defence. The strokes making up each sword sequence differ according to the different content and style of the various swordplay sequences.
Some sets of swordplay use more cutting and slashing strokes, others use more thrusts, lunges and the like; for instance, there used to be a "Wudang Taiji Sword for 2 people" which used thirteen different kinds of stroke. But whatever strokes are used, when learning we must understand the sword action required for each movement; be clear as to the path the sword should follow, the point where power should be applied (i.e. whether using the edge or the tip of the sword), and the coordination of the free hand; and get the movements integrated with the sword strokes. This way, it is not only easier to remember the movements, but also to grasp their essential features and to get them correct and in harmony.
If one is practising Taiji Sword with a partner, both people should study regularly and coordinate thoroughly with each other, according to the requirements of "softness can defeat strength," and of avoiding the opponent's strength and attacking his weakness, to produce an intense and lifelike performance.
Both the above points require us to first acquire a solid mastery of the basic movements, and then through repeated practice, to integrate the actions of the hands, body, legs and eyes intimately with the sword strokes, to the point where "body and sword are one" and "sword and mind are one," so that whether one is wielding the sword to left or right, cutting and slashing up or down, it can all be accurate and coordinated, nimble but steady, and in complete control, so as to combine body, sword and mind into a unified whole, and give the movements harmony and grace.
For the Taiji Sword performances, five criteria have been set for awarding points:
These are: suppleness (rou); correct movement (fa); use of strength (jin); expression (shen);speed (su).
TAI CHI NARROW BLADE SWORD
One of the highest achievements in Tai Chi is the use of the narrow blade sword. According to tradition, the narrow blade sword, the king of the short weapons, requires at least ten years of Tai Chi training before it can be started. In addition, the individual who is interested in Tai Chi for its health aspect can perform the sword sequence as another method of exercise.
The techniques of the narrow blade sword require the smooth circulation of Chi to all parts of the body. Because the Tai Chi narrow blade sword is very flexible, the martial artist must have the ability to pass his Chi into the sword to momentarily harden it. To pass Chi into the sword requires Grand Circulation. To help the Chi into the sword, Tai Chi practitioners use a special form called the Secret Sword Hand on the arm that is not holding the sword. The Secret Sword Hand symmetrically balances Chi circulation so the Chi can enter the sword. This hand is also used for cavity press during combat.
In actual construction, the narrow blade sword is flexible and sharp in different areas. The top third of the blade is extremely thin and razor sharp. The top third is never used for blocking because it can be dented 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 is very thick and unsharpened. The bottom third is usually used for situations when violent power is needed. Thus, because of the unique construction of the sword, the Tai Chi martial artist will attempt to keep his opponent in the middle and long range for proper usage.
Once again, due to the construction of the narrow blade sword and the techniques emphasized by Tai Chi stylists, there are only a few effective methods of using the sword. Basically, the Tai Chi student can slide, sting or stab, deflect cut (sliding and cutting in the same motion), slash, or chop while handling the sword. Most of the motions are done with fluidity and extreme speed. But to properly use each movement of the sword, the stylist must be capable of smooth locomotion. Without the correct use of the legs, each motion of the sword can be wasted. In fact, the ultimate goal of the Tai Chi swordsman is to successfully attack by never touching the weapon of the opponent through the use of deceptively quick steps.
In performing the slow motion Tai Chi sword sequence, a few precautionary points must be noted. When holding the sword, the hand must remain loose. Although the sword is held loosely, it is always under strict control. Second, concentrate on passing the Chi into the sword- this aspect will take time and energy to achieve. Third, coordinate all the forms with deep breathing. Like the barehand sequence, the sword forms must be done slowly in order to get the full benefits of this elegant and ancient weapon sequence. Finally, observe all the points for correct practice of the Tai Chi barehand sequence such as placing the tongue on the roof of the mouth, relaxation, keeping the elbows low, keeping the spine straight, etc. With patience and practice, the practitioner can make the Tai Chi sword sequence a useful and beautiful series of techniques for health or defense. The American Kang Duk Won martial arts style emphasizes the mental aspects of the martial arts above all. Learning Tai Chi sword can be a tool for further development of the mind through self-discipline.
Way of the Tai Chi Sword - Yang Style Taijijian by Sam Masich
Apparatus training is an essential part of the Yang Style Taijiquan curriculum. Of the two short weapons, Dao, or Sabre and Jian, or Straightsword used in Taijiquan's syllabus, the latter is by far the most intricate and developed in its method. In martial lore the Straightsword is commonly respected as The King of Short Weapons. Known also as the narrow blade, or double-edged sword, the Straightsword was often seen in traditional Chinese culture as a way to cut through veils of illusion, ego and attachment and is associated with spiritual refinement as much as with martial efficacy. Straightsword masters, male and female, are frequently revered in Chinese history as both highly skilled martial heroes and illuminated people.
A command of the tradition Taijiquan weapons, Sabre, Straightsword and Qiang, or Spear, enables practitioners to take the early concepts from barehand solo and partner work much further, bringing the work to higher levels of skill. This in turn matures the understanding of the early stages of the curriculum. For example, in the barehand work we come to understand the basic structure of the Gong Bu, or Bow Stance. This enables us to learn solo form and Push Hands drills correctly and progress to weapons training. But when we begin to study Sabre or Straightsword, we see that the Bow Stance behaves quite differently than in barehand circumstances. It often needs to be longer and narrower to support the use of the blade. Having learned and corporealized this we can then explore the stance variations in a barehand context which in turn enables us to develop new sword-like barehand skills. Thus in order to deepen understanding of barehand work, apparatus training is used.
It is also commonly taught that a main significance to studying weapons is to develop in the practitioner a greater ability to extend Qi. This idea of using the weapon as a vehicle to extend Qi has often led to erroneous concepts regarding the sword and it is common to see practitioners having experiences with the blade while possessing little in the way of real sword expertise. The phenomenon of extending Qi into the weapon is a really byproduct of the development of thousands of subtle sword skills resulting from subtle mind-body control abilities.
In contemporary Tai Chi training it is most common to see Straightsword learned and practiced before, or even instead, of Sabre training. A decided preference amongst teachers and players in preference of the sword can in fact be seen in Tai Chi society. There is however, much evidence to suggest that in Chinese martial arts in general, the training of the Sabre would ideally precede the training of the Straightsword. Sabre teaches basic blocking angles, power training, new but simple stepping patterns, and the most basic use of a short weapon. Technically speaking, this provides a prerequisite for the more advanced skills of the Straightsword such as Sticking, Sliding, Sealing etc. The problem is however that the Sabre is comparatively graceless and holds little aesthetic appeal for many practitioners. Therefore, Straightsword technique remains by and large one of the most misunderstood areas of the Taijiquan curriculum. It is important therefore to either regain the tradition of Sabre before Sword or, for instructors that know the difference, to teach the basics of short, single edged weapon use alongside the unique techniques of the straightsword.
In the Song of the Tai Chi Sword it is said,
The Way of the Sword is from the beginning difficult to learn.
Like a Dragon or Rainbow it is subtle and mysterious.
Should it be used like a hacking Sabre, the immortal Zhang Sanfeng will die of laughter.
This reinforces the argument for clear technique and for distinguishing between the Sabre and Straightsword methods. Taijijian, or Tai Chi sword is often called Tai Chi Thirteen Sword referring both to the structure of the blade and to13 basic blade use methods.
Thus Taijijian is more than just a sequence of movements. It is a total study of the weapon including efforts to master its structure, use and behavior.
While the blade will never again reign supreme in an age of technological weaponry, it retains a place deep in our psyches imaginings of honor, courage and discipline. In this sense its study is more relevant than ever. Even when we train traditional martial skills with the blade we know that our primary purpose for brandishing the weapon is for self-cultivation rather than actual battlefield use.
Mind &Body In Harmony – The Tai Chi Sword
One of the best reasons to study any tai chi sword form is to bring the mind and body into harmony. To correctly use the sword, the student must make it an extension of his body.
It is essential to extend the mind through the tip of the weapon. Energy travels from the ground to the feet, after which it's guided by the waist to the sword. There should be a smooth flow of power from the feet to the tip of the blade. The body—not the arm—moves the blade. Moving only the arm shows a lack of connection and understanding of tai chi principles.
The hand that holds the sword should remain relaxed. There should not be a death grip on the handle, but at the same time, firm contact should be maintained. Traditional martial artists frown at the many new "experts" who hold the sword gingerly with two or three fingers, thus allowing it to spin more easily in elaborate patterns. They say such practitioners look more like they are getting ready for a tea party than a sword fight. In sword sparring, merely tapping such a loosely held weapon would knock it out of their hand.
The swordless hand should be held with the first two fingers extended but relaxed. The ring and little fingers are flexed, with the thumb over the ring finger's second knuckle. This is called the secret sword, sword amulet, sword hand, sword fingers or sword-charm position. Some instructors teach that it can be used to poke specific pressure points or balance the energy of the sword.
Some tai chi teachers caution their students never to circle a sword over their head. They believe some swords have magical powers that can injure the spirit or soul of the holder. In the old school, there exists a belief that there are magical swords which must be used correctly, or they will injure the user.
The modern student has many reasons to learn the swords of' tai chi chuan. It is a developmental exercise teaching relaxation and extension of energy. The sword practice can be a tool for developing harmony in one's mind and body. It is a method for exercising the upper body. The form can be a way to improve empty-hand tai chi skills. And, perhaps most importantly, they can add a new dimension to one's tai chi training by linking the student with the history and culture of the art.
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