An Introduction to Chen Sword (Jian)

24/03/2019 12:09

An Introduction to Chen Sword (Jian)

Written by Jian Taiji

As a foreword to Master Wang Haijun's instructional Jian DVD

Alongside the open hand forms, Chen style Taijiquan trains with a broad range of weapons which condition the body in different ways to develop the Taiji physique. The sword or Jian is one of the most traditional weapons forms and even though it is usually the first weapon taught to students the movements are considered complex and technically difficult. When performed correctly it is said to resemble a powerful dragon swimming through water.

The Chen Taiji sword stretches and strengthens the bodies joints and encourages open and expansive postures. It develops flexibility in the wrists and hands enabling the jing energy to extend beyond the body and through to the sword. The sword form also requires nimble footwork, lightness and agility. It promotes extensive use of the waist to maintain the spiral rotational movement which is fundemental to Chen Taijiquan.

The form encompasses 13 basic techniques which are -

Ci or Stab - Extend forward either horizontally or vertically with the point of the sword
Pi or Chop - A vertical action using the first third part of the sword
Liao or Scoop - Sword moves upwards with the power moving from the centre or middle of the sword to the end
Gua or Hang - The tip of the sword moves vertically either upwards or downwards in a circular fashion. Downwards the wrist and hand turns inwards, upwards the wrist and hand turn outwards
Dian or Point - With the sword vertical, the wrist flicks downwards. The power goes to the tip edge of the sword. Dian can be performed forward, backward or to the side
Mo or Slice - With the sword horizontal, the blade slices left or right in an arc. The power goes along the whole edge of the sword
Tuo or Push Up - With the hand turns inwards, the sword blocks upwards with the power in the lower third of the sword
Jia or Block - Raising sword horizontally using the middle section to block
Sao or Sweep - Holding the sword horizontally, move the sword left or right at calf height
Jie or Intercept - The sword moves obliquely from above or below. Power is in the front of the sword
Zha or Plunge - The sword is lifted up and then down with force with the hand facing outward
Tui or Push - The sword is held horizontally at chest height and then pushed outwards while releasing power. The power is in the lower third of the sword
Hua or Neutralise - Redirecting or neutralising the path of your opponents sword

And consists of 49 postures, as listed here -

1^st Section

1 Dān jiàn qǐ shì Sword Preparation

2 Cháoyáng jiàn Homage To The Sun

3 Xiānrén zhǐ lù Immortal Points The Way

4 Qīnglóng chūshuǐ Blue Dragon Out Of The Water

5 Hùxī jiàn Protect The Knees

6 Bì mén shì Close The Door

7 Qīnglóng chūshuǐ Blue Dragon Out Of The Water

8 Fānshēn xià pī jiàn Turn And Chop Down

9 Qīnglóng zhuǎnshēn Blue Dragon Turns Over

10 Xié fēi Flying Obliquely

2^nd Section

11 Zhǎnchì diǎntóu Spread Wings And Nod The Head

12 Bō cǎo xún shé Separate Grass To Find Snake

13 Jīnjīdúlì Golden Rooster Stands Alone

14 Xiānrén zhǐ lù Immortal Points The Way

15 Gài lán shì Cover And Block

16 Gǔ shù pán gēn Ancient Tree Wraps Its Roots

17 Èhǔpūshí Hungry Tiger Attacks For Food

18 Qīnglóng bǎi wěi Blue Dragon Sways Its Tail

19 Dào juǎn gōng Turn The Arm Backwards

20 Yěmǎ tiào jiàn Wild Horse Jumps The Ravine

21 Báishé tǔ xìn White Snake Shows Its Tongue

3rd Section

22 Wū lóng bǎi wěi Black Dragon Sways Its Tail

23 Zhòng kuí zhǎng jiàn Zhong Kui Holds The Sword

24 Luóhàn xiáng lóng Louhan Subdues Dragon

25 Hēixióng fān bèi Black Bear Turns Backwards

26 Yànzi zhuó ní Swallow Pecks Mud

27 Báishé tǔ xìn White Snake Shows Its Tongue

28 Xié fēi Flying Obliquely

4^th Section

29 Yīng xióng dòuzhì Eagle And Bear Battle With Their Wits

30 Yànzi zhuó ní Swallow Pecks Mud

31 Zhāi xīng huàn dòu Pluck Stars And Change Constellations

32 Hǎidǐ lāo yuè Scoop Moon From Under Sea

33 Xiānrén zhǐ lù Immortal Points The Way

34 Fènghuáng diǎntóu Phoenix Nods Its Head

35 Yànzi zhuó ní Swallow Pecks Mud

36 Báishé tǔ xìn White Snake Shows Its Tongue

37 Xié fēi Flying Obliquely

5^th Section

38 Zuǒ tuō qiānjīn Left Side Holds Up One Thousand Pounds

39 Yòu tuō qiānjīn Right Side Holds Up One Thousand Pounds

40 Yànzi zhuó ní Swallow Pecks Mud

41 Bái yuán xiàn guǒ White Ape Presents Fruit

42 Luòhuāliúshuǐ Falling Flowers

43 Shàngxià xié cì Jab Up Then Down

44 Xié fēi Flying Obliquely

6^th Section

45 Nǎ chì tàn hǎi Na Dra Explores The Sea

46 Guài mǎng fānshēn Large Serpent Turns Itself Around

47 Wéi tuō xiàn chǔ Wei Tor Presents Pestle

48 Mòpán jiàn Millstone Turning Sword

49 Dān jiàn shōu shì End Single Sword

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An Introduction to Chen Sword (Jian)

An Introduction to Chen Sword (Jian)

Written by Jian Taiji

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