Improve Your Swordplay Five Jianfa Tips - Chinese Swords and Swordsmanship Series

[@mugenGRTC]

Our New Online Course just dropped: www.chineseswordacademy.com/Swords

[@UltimateTruthChannel]

I train Japanese Kenjutsu with a Katana and we also say "a big cut is a stupid cut." I also have a Chinese Jian sword but there is no one that teaches it here where I live. Now I have found my master on this channel. This guy is a real deal.

[@mugenGRTC]

Thanks for the Support, we appreciate it. Have you seen the Online Program that Supports our In-Person Seminars: www.chineseswordacademy.com/

[@jaketheasianguy3307]

Depends on style context. The ultimate technique of Itto Ryu, Kiri Otoshi, is a big chop from Jodan with the correct angle that push the opponent's sword off the center line

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

My thanks again to the great team I have supporting me. I couldn't make these videos with the generous support of a great many.

[@NoverMaC]

Thanks so much for making it!

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

@@Yellow-kp9gs My principle teacher is Wang Yne-nien of Shanxi Province. Unfortunately, he is no longer with us.

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

@@Yellow-kp9gs Thanks, he was a special man of exceptional skill. Great River has grown from a local DC school into an organization with Centers on 3 continents. It has been a very rewarding 3 1/2 decades.

[@tsmspace]

This video has one of the most interesting statements in any sword enthusiast video I've ever seen. In the video , you make the comment that you don't want to pick a sword because you think it feels good, because as a beginner you don't know what works properly. It's not about a sensation in your hand, it's about an effective tool. Until the individual has enough experience to feel the difference between an effective tool and a less effective tool, they will not properly associate "good" with effective.

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

Thanks.

[@iMisogynist]

Thanks you very much, Mr. Rodell. There are almost literally almost no other videos on the KZbin that discuss straight sword usage.

[@mikewinburn]

Agreed…

[@MrAllmightyCornholioz]

1. 0:00 Tip Control 2. 2:34 Don't Make Movements Too Big 3. 3:50 Don't Step Out Before Your Cut 4. 5:11 Always have cutting intent 5. 8:05 Train with a realistic sword

[@camrendavis6650]

Though I am a HEMA hobbyist, I really appreciate you making this video. There was so little videos on the internet discussing Chinese swordsmanship, mostly Japanese and European. Speaking of European, I'm curious to know if there are any Chinese "sword & dagger" forms that exist or that you know of, as it is one of my favorite forms from HEMA and after seeing your video on Chinese short swords, I was curious.

[@ambulocetusnatans]

I've never seen a Chinese form with sword and dagger. There is one for double daggers, and another one with a straight sword in one hand and a broadsword in the other, but they won't be easy to find or easy to learn.

[@olivervandal8645]

There are even videos from Scott on this channel showing a Chinese version of Espada y Daga.

[@camrendavis6650]

@@olivervandal8645 could you link it to me please?

[@iMisogynist]

As a HEMA guy, I'm sure you've seen sword and buckler combos. I've seen broadsword and rattan shield in CMAs but never sword and dagger.

[@camrendavis6650]

@@iMisogynist there's got to be some style like it

[@JCOwens-zq6fd]

LK Chen makes good historically accurate swords as well

[@frankmartinez4856]

Thanks! Sifu! For these superior tips on sword play 💕🤗😬

[@mugenGRTC]

It is our pleasure.

[@zakotanesbitt]

Very useful and informative, thank you for sharing your expertise!

[@Grgrrr]

Just ordered cutting jian and am beginner in Jian Sword work. Taken Epee and Foil in college so I can appreciate your instruction on maintaining the guard and use of minimal movements to deflect attacks and prepare for the riposte. Also trained in Escrima and Wing Chung so am familiar with orientation of the edge through the cut and maintaining initiative through deflections and reorientation to online attacks. What I am uncertain of is the relation between and difference of Wu, Chen and Yuan styles of Taijichuan (my apologies for misusage of terms).

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

Within Chinese swordsmanship (jianfa), there is very little difference from one tradition to another. One might focus a bit more on one cut or another, but overall they follow the same core principles. Though my background is in Taijiquan, my seminars are often as many or more practitioners from Shaolin traditions as any other. Several of my more advanced apprentice students are Xingyiquan teacher.

[@mikewinburn]

This is a brilliant video… thank you

[@mugenGRTC]

Thanks for your support! We appreciate it!

[@bingli3584]

视频最后的话非常有意味： 训练你的能力去使用正确的剑，而不是使用仅仅上手时，感觉舒服的剑。 人生莫不如此，需要训练自己做正确的事，而非仅仅贪图眼前的舒适。 感谢您的视频和讲解。

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

不用了，謝謝。

[@brunonunez1436]

Great video and great shifu

[@tomschunk4440]

Thanks for the great tips, Scott. My teacher, Paul Gallagher, gave me this link and sends his greetings and well wishes.

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

My pleasure. Paul is a classmate of mine under TT Liang and an old friend.

[@huzhuiwei]

Excellent, many thanks for posting

[@graemaer3052]

Love this. Tnx for being genuine n realistic, n practiced. 🙏

[@mugenGRTC]

Thanks for your support, we appreciate it very much!

[@see5782000]

Thank you for your knowledge of swordsmanship.

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

No worries, thanks for your support. I appreciate it.

[@saberserpent1134]

I come back to this particular video often. All very important points. Poor edge-alignment is the one that makes my eye twitch, but all valuable points. Thank you, laoshi.

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

Thanks for your support Jeremy!

[@saberserpent1134]

🙏🙏🙏

[@muntedme203]

Excellent.

[@mugenGRTC]

Thanks, we appreciate the feedback!

[@worldofmartialartstelevision]

Great video, great tips. Thank you

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

Thanks, we do our best.

[@timdarmetko4039]

great video ....thank you for your time

[@leemarsh3569]

Many thanks for these videos. Very practical.

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

Thanks for your support. If I may, have you seen the new online Academy of Chinese Swordsmanship: www.chineseswordacademy.com/

[@leemarsh3569]

Scott M. Rodell GRTC Hi thanks for the reply. I will pass this onto my fellow students at Practical Tai Chi Chuan Scotland. Keep up the inspiring work!

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

@@leemarsh3569 I would appreciate that. Did you know Paul Andrews has been hosting Chinese Swordsmanship Seminars in Leeds? I have been over twice a year for some time now and will pick up again as soon as we can...

[@leemarsh3569]

@@scottm.rodellgrtc2969 Hi Scott. Look forward to that very much.

[@wujinaut]

Thanks again Laoshi.

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

My pleasure, see you Sunday at the Jianfa Webinar.

[@wushentao-healthandmartial489]

Well done Scott!

[@dancingcrow9752]

You sir just earned a sub

[@mugenGRTC]

Thanks for your support!

[@johnhanley9946]

This is really useful information, thanks for posting it! 😁👍

[@BlazeLeeDragon]

very nice!

[@themasterseiga]

Love your content as I am learning jian. I'm curious how you maintain or restore your metal fittings on your jians. I have a jian with a silver plate or silver alloy in the handle and guard and after attempting to polish it has trended gold over time. Any thoughts on how to properly restore the silvery finish?

[@rezanadesian6652]

Good techniques

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

Thanks brother.

[@Zz7722zZ]

Great advice, helped me to improve my sword form and make more sense of the movements.

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

Great to hear, thanks for your support.

[@JJUSTINMEEHAN]

Excellent realistic and logical advice. Thanks so much

[@mugenGRTC]

Thanks, we are always happy to hear that. And we appreciate your support!

[@Stick3x]

This is great instruction. Extremely useful.

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

Thanks.

[@caiovelloso6699]

gostei muito

[@Shindai]

What's the purpose of pointing the fingers like that on the offhand as you cut?

[@jackarrows1436]

THX 👍

[@mugenGRTC]

No worries, more coming...

[@rhysezfpv]

You remind me of Kwai Chang 😀 Shifu ! 🙏

[@Shinn_NB]

I always have problems with my tip going were it’s not Supposed to go

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

If I may, work to have your mind intent along the entire blade, not just the bit you are using at the moment. For example, when deflecting focus your intent mostly at the forte of the blade your (about 70%) are deflecting with, but also keep intent at the tip aiming your counter-cut.

[@Shinn_NB]

@@scottm.rodellgrtc2969 I have a question do u think that the jian is underrated and get overly Shadowed by the katana... I’m a fan of the jian but i feel it never gets the respect that it deserves

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

@@Shinn_NB Perhaps best described as unknown. One reason why I did demonstrations like cutting the flying arrow was to show that I could cut the most demanding targets that have been cut with a katana with a jian.

[@Shinn_NB]

@@scottm.rodellgrtc2969 see that’s awesome I agree it can do everything a katana can do I’m planning on buying a hon dynasty jian broadsword it’s a lot thicker then the normal jian it doesn’t flex

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

@@Shinn_NB You don't need to purchase a Han Style Jian to get one that isn't overly flexible. My Cutting Jian, LK Chen's Gale Wind, Ryan Sword's Jian, all have historically accurate, solid blades.

[@zilingfz8677]

很好👍

[@mugenGRTC]

Thanks brother.

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

謝謝。

[@Blakelysworld358]

I am ignorant to sword arts so I am wondering what the benefit of holding two fingers out on the off hand is.

[@NoverMaC]

To what extent does the Jian thrust?

[@KF1]

@Rhizomio beautifully put

[@Zwerchhau]

I apologize, as I do not know the Chinese terms for what I am trying to describe, so I will have to resort to German ones. At 3:06 you set aside her blade but your sword point is pointed way up in the air, in Western swordsmanship we are taught a movement called Absetzen, which is similar to what you are doing only the point remains aligned with the enemy's body, you step in as you perform the set aside so that you are thrusting them in the face or other vital areas at the same time you set aside the weapon. Is there an equivalent to Absetzen in Chinese swordsmanship? Seems like you are wasting an opportunity to just thrust them at the same time you perform your set aside at 3:06.

[@scrtwpnx]

From my limited knowledge of chinese swordsmanship, daoist based chinese techniques dont stop the sword like a parry. They deflect the opponent sword and keep their own sword flowing. So thrusting from that position would be philosophically not daoist

[@coronal2207]

Remember you don't have a cross to catch and control the opponent's blade on your way in.

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

Deflecting with the tip point up places the sword in a position where it can take advantage of a variety of possible cuts, such as cirling around to slash upward with a Liao Cut, or Chop downward with a Pi Cut. Jianfa works to develop this sort of lively, adaptive swordplay. Chinese JIan sword work employs both cut and thrust.

[@sunny0928]

Master Rodell, I have a question. The cutting jian is 108cm long. Which is longuer than the typical Qing jian of 75cm. what is the reason you have chose for this long length? Does it has to do with the size of the contemporary people? I am very eager to know. Greetings from Holland.

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

Greetings Sunny, You are correct, 31" is pretty much the longest length jian blade utilized during the Qing period. We chose to use this longer length as this sword was made with cutting in mind and so we want a genuinely robust sword. Also, many practitioners today like the longer, more demanding blade. If you have seen my video on Chinese Swords & Swordsmanship: Jian - Historical Reality kzbin.info/www/bejne/jYbQhWSJg519ZpY Please have a look.

[@shawncapps1173]

Greetings Mr. Rodell. I see your videos are very impressive. I have sword license so I do. I do really know how to use the sword. I do have Legend Of Zelda Master Sword so I do. your Chinese Swords are very impressive. you did extremely well with that. I am extremely pleased with you. 😊👍

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

Thanks.

[@DamnZodiak]

6:39 Punching through your target is a fundamental technique of many striking arts. So no, it's not necessarily any different than how you'd use a sword.

[@secutorprimus]

He addresses this. Are your hands *physically punching through the target*, as a sword would? He is referring to targeting your cut in such a way that it ends its arc beyond the target, not simply "punching through" in a figurative sense.

[@holdshiftt2run308]

So the concept is basically the same as a rapier. But weren't these typically used with a shield or buckler?

[@mugenGRTC]

If you mean Chinese jian, no not typically used with a shield. The dao (Chinese Saber) often is when on the battlefield,

[@wirawanasril4463]

👍

[@bamboostinger]

Hi, My father used to have a jian similar to the Hanwei Sparring Jian, which I do have one. He used to use that jian to practice Taichichuan. Since there was no historical jian type created specifically for taichichuan, I think it is OK for me to use the sparring jian from Hanwei to practice Taichichuan. Could you verify that ?

[@mugenGRTC]

Certainly, many use the Scott Rodell Sparring Jian as a safer form training sword, especially those with young children or pets. Here's the link to get one- www.sevenstarstrading.com/store/p/subhxut2ayfzww1tbidx69bdg7rc2x

[@ErraticFaith]

Yes I'd recommend you do actually. When travelling I wanted to learn about the history of Wudang sword; which is almost gone as an art far as I can tell - but in so doing I did get a chance to hold some old pieces and traditionally forged/accurate replicas and Scott has done well to replicate this in the feel. More so than many out there in China who really are limited in what they can reproduce (laws mainly). Of course the sparring Jian is slightly off, as any training aid would be next to his cutting jian but for what they are they are ideal.

[@Asakseesall]

What jian is that? Is that the hanwei cutting jian?

[@scottrodell6654]

Yes, what sword would I use other than the jian I desinged?

[@Asakseesall]

Scott Rodell I mean makes sense

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

Right now you can win one for free- kzbin.info/www/bejne/aquwkn-BmJ2bbpI

[@adventuresjourney7243]

Are these movements and tips applicable to a Han dynasty Jian?

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

They should be universal. If I may, the Han period was 2,000 years ago. In all honest, we know nothing about their sword work. We don't even have a list of the basic cuts they employed. All the "Han Swordsmanship" you see today is 100% pure fantasy.

[@adventuresjourney7243]

@@scottm.rodellgrtc2969 I’m amazed… that makes complete sense… When applying form applications to scenarios of other weapon types or foreign it doesn’t seem quite applicable with most movements

[@chickknightgreenleaf820]

1:51 should your left hand grasp her sword-hand, I think that maybe one of another practical use for the free hand, instead do gesture like that,

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

The empty hand certainly can be employed to grasp the duifang's sword arm or block it out at the elbow, this method is however more associated with daofa. In jianfa, one typically looks to maintain a distance that allows for free, adaptive movement. So one is typically out of range where the empty hand is used in to capture. Daofa, on the other hand, looks to close. If you are interested in Chinese Swordsmanship, please have a look at: www.grtc.org/swordacademy

[@chickknightgreenleaf820]

@@scottm.rodellgrtc2969 nah, no thanks, I mean, I'm all the way on the other side of the Earth. it's impossible

[@scottm.rodellgrtc2969]

@@chickknightgreenleaf820 Ah, but we thought of that... more than a few Australian are members of the Academy. We upload all the weekend Webinars on the following Tuesday to the "Vault" where they can be viewed 24/7.

[@chickknightgreenleaf820]

@@scottm.rodellgrtc2969 I'm in Vietnam actually

[@the1_MatthiasGray]

'Don't pick a weapon because it feels good to you.' That is, in truth, what choosing your weapon should be. To choose the weapon that feels good to you.

[@WhiteApeMA]

Technique drills, live blades?? 😨

[@mugenGRTC]

These jian come to a dull edge, so if they struck, it would be a gashing cut.

[@TheGrmany69]

Just to point out, the reason why kung fu sequences teach these wide movements is no other than didactics, it's easier to feel the chi (momentum synergy roughly within this context), it can be used but it's logically an extended movement and only an expert is supposed to used using "shen". That's why Chen Tai Chi has those low postures, it's to allow the student to find the rooting that allows them to understand chi flow within a martial context. In the martial context, the highest level of experience in the internal styles, like taichi, imply the mastery of fajin and chi mobilisation in the "small gestures" or "small form", ie. the realistic small, subtle and fast motions.

[@the1_MatthiasGray]

In actual practice, 'the Jian seems akin to either the primary thrust of European rapier or cuts of later English backsword of Silver.' Here in these forms it seems as though partially based on the Byzantine one-handed sword. The Ming-Dao sword is more akin to the German messer, the falchion.'

[@轉龍呼吸法-y4p]

Chinese say: Don't use Ming dynasty sword to cut Qing dynasty officer.

[@aquil3scach088]

Poye polomi!

[@danielhounshell2526]

I personally prefer Han dynasty swords myself, as I like the overall design of them as well as the more minimalistic guard.

[@arthurbanksforbeijingopera3091]

Not very bad at least

[@cringeyidiotterry]

Note: deflecting is actually called parrying, but good work anyway, and thank you for what you do!

[@GoldenJadeTaiChiChuan]

need eyewear

[@EGvids1]

You are complicating things too much like karate, keep it simple. Simple moves are more effective