subject: The Weapons Used by Tai Chi Chuan [print this page] The Weapons Used by Tai Chi Chuan The Weapons Used by Tai Chi Chuan
The straight-sword, or Jian, in Chinese tradition has long been regarded as the males weapon. In addition, it was a symbol of office, and was often carried primarily as a badge of rank. It was also used as a magic instrument mainly by Daoist sages. Amongst practitioners of tai chi chuan it is considered that the weapon can only be wielded effectively by those who have become a true professionals of their art.
One reason for its reputation is that due to its very nature it must be handled with great subtlety. Both the edges of the blade are sharpened, but not equally, down the whole length. Only the third of the blade nearest the point is sharpened to a razor's edge. The middle section is less sharp and is thicker, while the section nearest the hilt is the thickest point of the blade, and is kept rather blunt. This means that the blade does not have the same strength or weight as the dao, and so it has to be used in a completely different manner.
Rather than meeting force with force the Jian exponent must avoid the opponent's attack and use the sharpness and flexibility of his weapon to attack the opponent's vulnerable areas. A favorite target is the wrist, thus causing the enemy to drop his own weapon and setting him up for the kill.
Students are taught thirteen basic methods of using the sword, which are sometimes referred to as the thirteen Jian secrets. Here the use of the number thirteen allows comparison with the thirteen postures which form the basis of the solo form. The comparison allows the student to appreciate the coherent philosophy which underlies the whole of the art. As well as the solo form. Professor Cheng Man Ching also taught a kind of sword sparring similar to the sticking exercise practiced with the spear, but allowing practitioners greater freedom of movement.
In Chinese mythology the jian has long been thought to have magical powers; in some ways the mystical story resembles that of Excalibur in western legend. Such swords were known as 'Bao Jian' or precious swords and were supposed to remain hidden until the heroes or heroines who were destined to own the weapons found them. Cheng Man Ching was supposed to have owned one such sword which he found in Shanghai, and with which he was able to pierce holes in coins.
Teachers of the straight-sword often point out the similarities between sword art practice and Chinese calligraphy. In both, great emphasis is placed on focusing the attention on the tip of the tool being used, whether sword or brush, while the palm is kept empty and the implement is controlled with gentle but firm manipulation of the fingers. Coupled with the subtle techniques of the sword, this resulted in its reputation as the weapon of the scholar and the gentleman.
As with all tai chi chuan weapons, further emphasis is placed on the use of the waist, which controls the movement of the tip of the sword (or the 'tail' as it is known). One other aspect of Jian practice is the characteristic configuration of the empty hand. The first two fingers are pointed while the thumb holds in the other two. It has been suggested that the reason the hand is held in this way is so that it may be used to strike vital points. This, however hardly bears up to intelligent scrutiny, because why would anyone use the empty hand while the other contained a razor-sharp weapon? Another theory put forward is that the hand configuration balances the Qi which the exponent seeks to extend to the tip of his sword. While this 'sword-hand' is used by all practitioners of the art of the Jian, irrespective of their style, some tai chi chuan teachers require their students to place the thumb underneath the two folded fingers. This corresponds with the internal principles of the art, as it allows the hand and wrist to relax, thus facilitating improved flow of Qi.
Tai chi Jian practitioners prefer the cross-guard of their sword to be swept back towards the hilt rather than down towards the blade. This is because the tai chi student does not meet the opponent's sword with force, but uses instead intercepting energy and then lightly adheres to his opponent's blade. An exponent of the external arts, on the other hand, might use the thickest portion of the blade to block the opponent's attack and then slide his weapon up the opponent's blade, thereby jamming it in against the crosspiece. There can be little doubt that the tai chi chuan practitioner needs a high level of skill to use the straight-sword effectively, while still complying with the principles of the art.
As well as extending his skill in all aspects of tai chi chuan, practice of the traditional weapons gives the student additional variety should he find himself becoming jaded and lacking in enthusiasm for his solo form practice.
