#swordarts

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Swordsman wielding a Dadao Beijing circa 1930s Photo by Hedda Morrison

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Republican Era Chinese Jian with clearly visible differential heat treating of the edge plate that creates a very hard edge. This harden edge makes it excellent for cutting, and it holds its edge quite well. However, the same hardness than makes for superior cutting effectiveness also means that the edge is relatively brittle. For this reason, Chinese Sword Arts standardly deflect with the blade flat rather that parrying with the edge.

Hard blocks with sanmai (three plate) type swords, those of China and Japan, with the edge can lead to a catastrophic failure of the blade.

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A High Qing Officer

Armed with a Jian. The vast majority of Manchu Bannermen carried dao, so it is quite unusual to see an official armed in this fashion.We know he is a Bannerman by the green jade thumb around his right thumb.Thumb rings were worn as a symbol of their status as Qiren. One might think that his man was left handed given that he is wearing his sword on his right hip. But the thumb ring on his right thumb indicated he was indeed right handed. Perhaps there were some social situations where those armed were required to wear their swords on the opposite hip to prevent a quick draw. If this is the case, I am unaware of such a tradition in China. My suggestion is pure speculation. It is also quite possible that the artist simple decided he liked this look better and the swords position on the right hip has nothing to do with how it was actual worn.

19th Century, Chinese School Painting.

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Swordsman wielding a Dadao Beijing circa 1930s Photo by Hedda Morrison

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Bannerman Drawing his Saber

What is quite interesting about this painting is how the Sword Drawing technique it depicts is consistent with what we have seen before. Note for example, the position of the hand on the scabbard as he draws. It is not at the scabbard throat, but grasped midway along the suspension band. A detail seen in all other illustrations where a Dao (saber) is being draw. Also note that he is drawing with the edge down. Another apparently standard element of the Chinese Quick Sword Draw.

It is also refreshing to see just how Qing swordsmen dressed. Not in the flamboyant colors often worn by martial artists at tournaments today. But in muted grey, functional and not ostentatious.

For more about this painting of BANNERMAN TE'ER DENG CHE, see Bonham’s Auction Website-

https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27991/lot/128/a-rare-and-important-imperial-court-painting-of-the-bannerman-teer-deng-che-qianlong-dated-by-inscription-to-the-wushen-year-corresponding-to-1788-and-of-the-period/

And for a tutorial on Chinese Fast Sword Drawing, see my video on YouTube-

https://youtu.be/6AVk8PQjh2o

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Manchu Scholar with his Sword and Ink Stones, the perfect example of the Sword and Brush as One~

As depicted in "Tie Bao Xiang,《铁保像》" Qing Dynasty, painted by Ding Yicheng Described by the Palace Museum as a Sitting Portrait of Tie Bao, a famous calligrapher in the Qing Dynasty. Tie Bao wears a blue robe and black shoes, a crown hat on his head, his left hand is naturally bent in the shape of a beard, his right arm is leaning on the table, holding an inkstone tile, his face is dignified, and his eyes are full of spirit. On the wooden table on the right side of the figure, there are two inkstone tiles and a sword. This work still retains the traditional composition method of the Bochen School, focusing on the characters, with appropriate background scenery to highlight the protagonist's identity and personality characteristics. In the picture, it is very appropriate to use inkstone and sword to express the character of a Manchu official and calligrapher. See:https://www.dpm.org.cn/collection/paint/228821.html?hl=%E7%A0%9A This interesting jian is a "Longquan (Dragon Well) Style. For a Similar Example, See- Duanjian, the Chinese Short Sword- Chinese Swords and Swordsmanship Series on YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awmdezzqa7U&t=363s

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Twin Cities Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar March 3-6, '23

Great River Taoist Center Twin Cities

https://grtcmsp.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral