Chinese Swordsmanship Cirriculum

Traditional Jianfa Training Program

Many contemporary practitioners of Chinese sword forms focus on personal cultivation, often at the expense of practical martial application. In previous times, the opposite was true. The focus was on developing clear martial skill. This program is meant to parallel the type of training in swordsmanship Yang Luchan and his sons would have presented when training the provincial militia and elite Bannermen units guarding the Capital. It should also be noted that while this training is based upon the skills & basic cuts handed down within the Yang Family Taiji Jian system, this is not a program specifically in taiji jian, but in Chinese swordsmanship (jianfa). The basic cuts and other skills that are contained in this lineage are techniques that are common throughout all styles of Chinese jian swordsmanship. While students of taiji jian will find this program invaluable, prior training in taijiquan is not required for participation in this program; students of all styles and backgrounds are welcome.

This training program is divided into three levels: Foundation Skills, Intermediate, & Instructor. Students can study at seminars, at regular classes, or privately. Each part of each level, when taught as a seminar, is a self contained, complete training. As such, it is not necessary for a student to study or learn the parts of any level in numerical order or complete all parts of the Foundation training before attending a more advanced training.

Foundation Skills

Four Parts: Active study of 1 to 2 years

The first step to progressing in art is a solid foundation in that art's core skills. In the case of swordsmanship, the skills that need to mastered first are the basic cuts. During each of the five sections that comprise the Foundation Skills levels of training, students will train in the basic cuts of the Yang Family Michuan Taiji Jian & the public Yangshi Taiji Jian. While these cuts are specific to these two systems, these same cuts, or similar ones, are also essential parts of most systems of Chinese jian swordsmanship. Students will learn the proper solo execution of, and two-man drills for, each cut. Students at this Foundation level will also engage in controlled free swordplay & other training essential to free swordplay.

• Part 1 - Michuan Basic Cuts: ci, pi, dian, tiao, liao, & zha
• Part 2 - Michuan Basic Cuts: dou, tiao, ya, hua, & mou
• Part 3 - Public Basic Cuts: ci, dai, xi, ji, ge (stationary & moving)
• Part 4- Public Basic Cuts: chou, beng, ti, pi, jiao, & jie

Once a student has demonstrated sufficient mastery of these Basic Cuts, he or she may beginning training in shi zhan (Test Cutting) with the instructors permission.

Intermediate Skills

Three Parts: 1 to 2 years training

This level of training represents a deeper level of commitment to study & works on developing a deeper understanding of core principles & how these relate to application in action. In respect to technique, this level of training will focus on combining the basic cuts in effective ways & on active stepping.

• Part 1 - Michuan Combination Cuts and transitions.
• Part 2 - Michuan Combination Cuts and transitions.
• Part 3 - Public Combination Cuts and transitions.

Instructor

1 to 2 years training, moving from structure to natural free play

This level of training is meant to provide a broader context for the student's understanding. As such, those involved in Instructor level training will learn how to face multiple duifang & work as part of a unit. Instructor level students will also study the shuangshoudao (two-handed saber) & dao & tengpai (saber & rattan shield) swordsmanship to provide a broader historical context for the jianfa they studied previously & to season his or her understanding of martial applications. Instructor level students are also expected to conduct their own personal research into Chinese historical swordsmanship.