#daoistsword

[steelandcotton]

Qing Period images of Bannermen drawing their swords are rare, so I was quite please to uncover this portrait of one unsheathing his Jian.

Comparing what we see here with other Qing Period paintings, we should note several consistent details-

When Drawing a Jian, the left hand typically grasps the scabbard near to, or at, the scabbard throat. 

The upward draw into a Liao Cut appears to be the favored draw. This upward Liao can be angled to intercept a cut or initiate an advance.

Jian were often slung from a belt by cloth lanyards, however, it appears that in most cases Jianke preferred to carry the sword in the left free from any restraints a lanyard might impose.

While these details of technique and carry are those commonly depicted, we should also keep in mind that these might have also been a matter of artistic convention of the time.

[steelandcotton]

[steelandcotton]

Ming Period Jian as Depicted in Sāncái Tú Huì, 三才圖會. Note the “V” shaped angular tip that was a common feature of Ming Jian.

[steelandcotton]

Those of us practicing Sword Arts today, think of them as just that, Arts. We train as a method for self-cultivation, for the intellectual stimulation of the fast paced chess game swordplay can be, to stay fit and strong. Yet not so long ago, the reality of facing an armed duifang intent on taking your life before you relieve him of his, no doubt brought a different sense of immediacy to training.

Looking for Realistic, Historically Accurate Swordplay Training? 

https://www.chineseswordacademy.com/

[steelandcotton]

Intercepting: Jie and Ge Cuts- Chinese Swordsmanship Webinar Excerpt

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[steelandcotton]

Running Spearman

Context can be everything... During Academy of Chinese Swordsmanship Webinars, we often look at Daofa applications in an almost dueling like setting, one on one. Daofa however, was more of a military/battlefield art. Men were often in tight lines or other formations, or as this page from the Bing Lu (兵录) illustrates, charging. Many of the movements we see in various forms make more sense if the spearman you are facing is charging, even at a slow run run.

[steelandcotton]

Dry bamboo is pretty much the most challenging target. This one is not even pegged down. >>>=====> Also a great photo for the few left who think that you cannot cut with a jian because it is a thrust-centric weapon. Note the flex of the jian, demonstrating the stress of the impact on the blade. Photo is of Great River Taoist Center student Cutting in the Wuguan’s garden.

https://www.chineseswordacademy.com/

[steelandcotton]

Duanbing Chinese? Period documents suggest otherwise. Rather than being based on Chinese Sword Work, Duanbing developed during the Chinese Republic and was based more on the European Military Saber of the time rather than Chinese Sword arts. At least one Chinese manual from the period was a reprint of a Japanese manual that was this European Military Saber method as it was transmitted to the Japanese military.