#daoistswordman
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.
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Students Training the Zha Ci Partner Drill
Leeds Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar, May 2022
Nice “skipping stone” movement where the deflection answers seamlessly with a Zha to the duifang’s sword arm, then continues in with a Ci to the sword arm shoulder as the arms is withdrawn.
One detail to note here is that some of the thrust are low and not to the shoulder as they should be. This error often occurs as the sword arms tires from a day of training. If the Ci goes too low, it should be deflected with a circular stirring deflection.
Thanks to Paul Andrew of the Xing Yi Academy for organizing our Leeds Seminars.
The Leeds Chinese Swordsmanship Seminar is always well attended, and everyone gets into free swordplay from the lads in their 20’s right up to those who are 70. Heading back again in the Autumn.
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I’ve always found training with the two-handed Miaodao an excellent counter-point to my Jianfa practice. Miaodao work focuses on engaging with power supported by full steps. The Jian swordplay tends to be more like a fast chess games employing circular steal steps and quick half steps. Training in these two very different systems provides a wide understanding of tactics and sword strategy.
https://www.chineseswordacademy.com/membershipsandcourses
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I have been consulting for The Art of Fire & Iron, a forge in Longquan, about swords for practitioners. We have been discussing weights, lengths, POB, that make for good cutting as well as regular form practice. One result so far is they forged a Lanling Jian prototype that is being sent to me for review and testing. If it turns out as well as expected (I was happy with their other jian I reviewed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwmcDmLaG2A), we might just see about a special offer on them for Academy of Chinese Swordsmanship Subscribers.
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