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), staff, and Spear.
Ziran Martial Arts hosts the NJ Chinese Historical Swordsmanship Association, which welcomes practitioners from all kungfu schools and martial arts styles, and beginners interested in traditional Chinese swordsmanship. The group is a member group of the Traditional Chinese Sword League, TCSL, which is an international league founded by sword master, Scott M. Rodell, author of "Chinese Swordsmanship, The Yang Family Taiji Jian Tradition" and "The Taiji Notebook for Martial Artists".
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's 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 at Ziran Martial Arts.
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. It is the intention that students from all schools will take the opportunity to visit other schools and practice with other members of the Traditional Chinese Sword League community.
Equipment: A kali helmet or approved fencing mask is required. Hand protection is also a must- (hockey gloves or other sports hand protection.) Students are required to have their own sturdy wooden swords. The specs for all equipment is listed at http://www.swordleague.com . For safety, there should be no points, splinters, or sharp edges on the swords. Please consult with the instructor regarding what is acceptable.
Scott M. Rodell - "cornered" by two overeager participants at a seminar in 2005. He has them just where he wants them...
updated October 2011
