Chinese sword forms
Dec 27, 2016 13:52:57 GMT
Post by Upasaka on Dec 27, 2016 13:52:57 GMT
I was recently contacted by a member regarding a similar question. Maybe some of you gung1 fu1 practitioners can shed light on this subject.
So far, I’ve assembled a modest, but well-rounded collection of Chinese swords. These include both, gim3 and dou1 replicas from the Hon3, Tong4, Ming4, and Cing1 timelines. As a practitioner of a style (and lineage) reaching back some 350-400 years, all of the forms I know date from the Cing1 period. For some reason, using a Hon3 gim3 for these forms feels a bit awkward. It is perhaps a result of my misconception how swords were historically used. As a gross (VERY gross!) generalization, I see the Hon3 gim3 used on the battlefield, while the Cing1 gim3 more as a civilian weapon. Hence, given my understanding, the Hon3 gim3 just does not fit well with the circular, “flower like” movements of the forms that I know. This would also explain why a more forward balance of the early swords is considered out-of-balance by so many contemporary gung1 fu1 practitioners.
Since I’d like to practice a variety of forms across historical timeline using their respective weapons, my questions are:
1. Do you know any (early?) forms that are more suitable for a Hon3 gim3 or Tong4 dou1?
2. Are there any particular resources on the history and timeline of gung1 fu1 sword forms (particularly forms) dating from their earliest roots?
As always, I am thankful for all comments.
So far, I’ve assembled a modest, but well-rounded collection of Chinese swords. These include both, gim3 and dou1 replicas from the Hon3, Tong4, Ming4, and Cing1 timelines. As a practitioner of a style (and lineage) reaching back some 350-400 years, all of the forms I know date from the Cing1 period. For some reason, using a Hon3 gim3 for these forms feels a bit awkward. It is perhaps a result of my misconception how swords were historically used. As a gross (VERY gross!) generalization, I see the Hon3 gim3 used on the battlefield, while the Cing1 gim3 more as a civilian weapon. Hence, given my understanding, the Hon3 gim3 just does not fit well with the circular, “flower like” movements of the forms that I know. This would also explain why a more forward balance of the early swords is considered out-of-balance by so many contemporary gung1 fu1 practitioners.
Since I’d like to practice a variety of forms across historical timeline using their respective weapons, my questions are:
1. Do you know any (early?) forms that are more suitable for a Hon3 gim3 or Tong4 dou1?
2. Are there any particular resources on the history and timeline of gung1 fu1 sword forms (particularly forms) dating from their earliest roots?
As always, I am thankful for all comments.
