NEW JERSEY
CHINESE HISTORICAL SWORDSMANSHIP ASSOCIATION
Laoshi Scott M. Rodell conducts freeplay with sword students - October
2004 Seminar hosted by Ziran Martial Arts in Highland Park, NJ.
The purpose of the Association is to share
in the practice and preservation of Chinese Historical Swordsmanship in
the New Jersey Area.
The Chinese Swordsmanship Program follows a full curriculum of traditional
Chinese swordplay including the use of Jian (two-edged straight
sword), dao (sabre), Shuangshou dao (double-handed sabre), and Spear.
The study group at Ziran T'aichi Kungfu is mentored by Scott M. Rodell Laoshi, Director of the Great River Taoist Center ( www.grtc.org), and author of "Chinese Swordsmanship, The Yang Family Taiji Jian Tradition" and "The Taiji Notebook for Martial Artists". Rodell is an internationally recognized master-teacher of Chinese Historical Swordsmanship. Rodell leads regular training at branches of the Great River Taoist Center and affiliate schools in the US and Europe, Russia, and Australia.
Click Ziran T'aichi Kungfu Center Events Calendar for Scott Rodell Seminars in NJ and other Programs conducted at our training hall.Click here for a complete listing of all: Scott M. Rodell Laoshi Seminars
About
Chinese Historical Swordsmaship
What: The core skills of Chinese Historical Swordsmanship are practiced using instructional methods developed by the Yang Family to train Chinese military in the 1800`s. Proper handling of a sword, basic cuts, two person practice drills, and free sword play are taught. The majority of the techniques and fighting methods used in this system of swordsmanship are derived from the Yang Family Michuan Taiji Sword form and the Yang Taiji public sword form widely practiced in the Chen Man Ching Lineage. The practice of Chinese Historical Swordsmanship begins with the Jian (straight sword). Other weapons such as sabre, spear, etc. are later introduced, allowing for varied combat dynamics.
Why: Thousands practice Chinese sword forms, but few have been trained in their actual martial use. Chinese swordmanship in the modern era is almost a lost art. Practice of weapons in taiji are often used as advanced training in order to enhance and improve skills such as balance, extension, centralization, fajing, etc. Although these remain important benefits, taiji swordsmanship and other weapons training were first and foremost a practical combative system. While preserving the old, instruction in classical weapons is practical for contemporary self-defense. Furthermore, performing t'ai chi forms with the proper spirit requires a firm grounding in the martial application. It can be demonstrated that this is not possible without regular martial practice.
Who: Jian (straightsword) swordsmanship exists in numerous systems. But whatever the lineage, it is very much part of a system, and those who wish to study with any depth should learn the fundamentals of their system prior to handling a sword. T'ai chi fundamentals should be learned prior to or along with sword study. Students interested in Tai Chi Sword may begin to learn basic skills after they have completed stage two in the curriculum. Chinese Historical Swordsmanship is taught Thursday nights and by arrangement in Highland Park see class schedule. Chinese Historical Swordsmanship beginner level Seminars with Scott M. Rodell are open to students from all styles of swordsmanship. Please contact us for information.
Schools that wish to participate in the Association should attend seminars and then are encouraged to form their own Chinese Historical Swordsmanship practice groups and regular practice sessions. There will be at least one monthly Gathering in New Jersey that all Association Member Schools and their students can participate in for a nominal "mat fee" of $15. It is the intention that students from all schools will take the opportunity to visit other member schools and practice with other members of the Chinese Hisorical Swordsmanship Association Community. We would like to keep the "mat fee" for such visits as no more than $15 to be received by the hosting school.
Equipment: Eye Protection is required (raquet ball goggles or approved fencing mask.) Hand protection is also a must (modified padded leather boxing wraps or hockey gloves or other sports hand protection.) Students are required to have their own sturdy wooden swords. For safety, there should be no points, splinters, or sharp edges on the swords. Please consult with the instructor regarding what is acceptable.
Teacher Scott M. Rodell testing a jian at Huanuo Sword Factory, Shanghai April
2006
