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Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Chinese Swords and Swordsmanship: The Dragonfly Cut by Scott Rodell

Chinese Swords and Swordsmanship: The Dragonfly Cut by Scott Rodell

"The known as the Dragonfly Cut for sideways figure 8 shape the blade carves, it recognized as a demanding test of a swordsman’s speed and accuracy. Not only must the second cut be fast enough to sever the target before it drops out of range, it must be delivered at precisely the right angle or it will be flung aside instead being of cut. Drawing his jian Scott M. Rodell delivers two quick Pi cuts to a bamboo stalk."

Saturday, June 20, 2020

Chen style Taijiquan - Chenjiagou 1984 - Early Demonstrations by the Big Four and others


Chenjiagou 1984 - Early Demonstrations of Chen style Taijiquan by the Big Four and others

"Probably earliest footage of nowadays four most famous experts of Large Frame of Chen style Taijiquan from Chenjiagou: Chen Xiaowang, Wang Xi'an, Zhu Tiancai and Chen Zhenglei. Disciples of both Chen Zhaopei (Large/Old Frame) and Chen Zhaokui (Large/New Frame), who went through dedicated training and later have been representing the village martial art in China and around the world. The video is unique as it shows demonstration of complete routines

The video shows not only empty hand routines but also weapons - spear, sword, broadsword, halberd. It also includes very interesting demos of Small Frame as well as Large Frame by a less known practitioner.

It is interesting to see the personal touch of each practitioner in his demonstration - relative hardness of Wang Xi'an, softness of Zhu Tiancai, fluidity of Chen Zhenglei (the unusual movements of his head draw attention too), and good balance of softness and connection of Chen Xiaowang. The demo of Small Frame with its smooth transformation between movements is also very distinct."

Monday, June 15, 2020

Saturday, June 13, 2020

Xingyiquan (Xingyi) Legend Xue Dian

Xingyiquan (Xingyi) Legend Xue Dian

Xue Dian, one of the best masters in Xingyi history, created his own style of Xingyiquan and Xiang Xing Shu around the 1930s in Tianjin, China.

Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Chinese Swords & Swordsmanship: Taking the On Guard Ready Stance

Chinese Swords & Swordsmanship: Taking the On Guard Ready Stance

Chinese Swords forms start with the Jian, or a Dao, out of the scabbard held in the left hand. This at attention stance is a sort of half ready posture. From this position the weapon can be brought quickly into action. In the video we look at the technique men at arms employed to quickly move from this at attention stance into a ready stance as well as the structure of the correct on guard posture.

Monday, June 1, 2020