The Tai Chi Sword

A Tai Chi Sword routine may seem like a contradiction. How can this ancient art ‘known for its peaceful, flowing movements’ have a routine involving the sharp, slicing blade of a sword? Of course, routines using traditional weapons come from the history of Tai Chi as a martial art as well as a health practice.

In the hands of a trained practitioner, the sword forms are a study in grace and beauty, but the underlying power within the shimmering movements of the sword cannot be disguised.

A “singing blade” sounds like a fanciful notion, something out of a movie with epic, magical battles, tragic love and exiled royalty. However, students learn how to send their energy down the length of the sword, making the metal resonate with certain movements.

There are two main sword types and sword routines that we make use of. There is the straight sword, or “jian”, with a long, flat blade (see photo on the top left hand corner). The straight sword is usually adorned with a coloured tassel hanging from the pommel at the end of the hilt; not just for decoration, the tassel can be used to distract an opponent, or even blind them.

There is also the broad sword, or sabre, which has a shorter, wider blade than the straight sword. The broad sword has a blunt, straight edge and a sharp, curved edge.

Of course, these swords are for martial arts use only and do not carry a sharpened edge in practice. All students of Golden Lion receive a letter authorising them to possess and carry their weapons to class, to ensure compliance with Victorian law.

Golden Lion teaches many different Sword Forms, both traditional and modern: from the 16, 32 and 42 modern sword routines, to the Yang-style sabre forms.

The principles of Tai Chi apply equally to sword forms as they do to bare hand routines. The requirements remain the same: the ever-changing distribution of weight across both feet, keeping the body erect, and maintaining a slight curve in legs and arms at all times.

Balance remains of key importance, although beginners often find the weight and length of the sword difficult to manage to begin with. The sword appears light when first picked up, but maintaining control while twirling and thrusting the length of metal requires great strength and flexibility in the wrist, which develops over time and practice.

The elegance of the sword routines amply reward the patience, time and effort that go into mastering this “weapon of scholars and courtiers.”

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