(Tai Chi Double Edge Sword Form)
The following are pages were taken from the booklet on Tai Ji Jian (Tai Chi Double Edge Sword Form) written by Master Torres. The first page is part of the preface and is the names of the moves writen in Grandmaster Peter Kwok’s own hand. This is followed by material also found in the preface. The last page is page one of the list of the names of the first 25 moves.
This set of sword is the original Tai Ji Sword Form. The movement is concise and easy to practice. There are a total of 54 postures, including the opening and closing positions. It can be practiced to an eight count cadence and is suitable for both individual and group practice.
The entire set can be divided into six sections each containing 8 major postures. The entire set includes a variety of foot methods and sword methods, such as withdraw, carry, swing. thrust, strike, hang, poke (tap), cut )split), intercept, hold up, sweep, block, and wipe. Continuously practicing these postures may improve your health and lay foundation for practicing other types of swordplay.
Basic Movements
- Left Hand Sword Holding Method
The left hand tightly holds the hand guard with the thumb pointing downward, while the little finger, middle finger and the third finger point upward. The index finger is straight and leans against the sword handle. The sword leans against the back of the left forearm.
Essentials: The sword must be held tight and the sword edge should not touch the body.
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Right Hand Sword Holding Method
- Use the thumb and index finger to hold the handly tightly. The other three fingers loosely hold the handle. Use the bottom joint of the thumb and outer fringe of the palm to control the sword’s movements.
- Hold the handle tightly with the middle finger, the third finger and the thumb. The index finger and the little finger hold it loosely. Sometimes it is necessary to increase the elasticity and flexibility of the sword’s edge, the index finger needs to lean against the hand guard to control the precision of the sword movement. This method is also called “holding the sword alive.”
Essentials: How tight one should hold the handle is determined by one being able to thrust the sword horizontally and split with the sword horizontally.
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Sword Finger / Sword Hand
Stretch the index and middle fingers, the third and little fingers bend toward the center of the palm. The thumb then presses on the nails of the third and little fingers.
