Chinese swordsmanship encompasses a variety of sword fighting styles native to China. No Chinese system teaches swordsmanship exclusively (as is the case with modern sports such as

fencing Fencing is a group of three related combat sports. The three disciplines in modern fencing are the foil, the épée, and the sabre (also ''saber''); winning points are made through the weapon's contact with an opponent. A fourth discipline, ...

or kendo), but many eclectic schools of

Chinese martial arts Chinese martial arts, often called by the umbrella terms kung fu (; ), kuoshu () or wushu (), are multiple fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in Greater China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common ...

include instruction for using one or two-handed versions of the single-edged sword (

dao Dao, Dão or DAO may refer to: * Tao (Chinese: "The Way" 道), a philosophical concept * Dao (Chinese sword) (刀), a type of Chinese sword * Dao (Naga sword), a weapon and a tool of Naga people People and language * Yao people, a minority ethni ...

) and the double-edged sword (

jian The ''jian'' (pronunciation （劍）, English approximation: ) is a double-edged straight sword used during the last 2,500 years in China. The first Chinese sources that mention the ''jian'' date to the 7th century BCE, during the Spring and ...

). Many Chinese martial arts styles teach swordsmanship.

Wudang Sword Wudang Sword is a body of Chinese straight sword (jian) techniques—famous in China—encompassed by the Wudang quan or internal martial arts. The oldest reputable accounts of Wudang Sword begin with Grandmaster Sung Wei-I around the turn of th ...

is an umbrella term for all sword styles taught in the Wudang chuan family of martial arts.

Taijijian Taijijian () is a straight two-edged sword used in the training of the Chinese martial art Taijiquan. The straight sword, sometimes with a tassel and sometimes not, is used for upper body conditioning and martial training in traditional Taijiquan ...

is the swordsmanship taught within

Taijiquan Tai chi (), short for Tai chi ch'üan ( zh, s=太极拳, t=太極拳, first=t, p=Tàijíquán, labels=no), sometimes called " shadowboxing", is an internal Chinese martial art practiced for defense training, health benefits and meditation. ...

. Shuangdao () is the Chinese term for the wielding of two

simultaneously.

History

Warring State Period

Sword was firstly practiced by Wu and Yue nations, approximately at 50 cm length. Laozi, an ancient Chinese philosopher during the warring state period, quoted that "道可道非常道，名可名非常名。", meaning that the ways which could be told are not the true ways, names which could be represented are not the true names(which Laozi means name of swordsmanship). The true swordsmanship is expressed by heart. Then near the end of this period, iron sword replaced the initial bronze sword, as noted "three inches sword" (三尺剑). The weight of the sword becomes lighter. Sword styles transforms from chopping to mainly attack critical parts of the body. Swordsmanship was then developed into various moves as well. such as cutting, holding up, hanging, poking, picking, wiping, etc. Because of the lighter weight of the sword, more and more women during these times became swordsman as well.

Han Dynasty

Han government adopted cavalryman as main military forces, and swords were gradually replaced by ring handle broadsword(环柄刀). However, swordsmanship become more popular among civilians and especially scholars. Most citizens loved swordsmanship and wear swords all the time.

Tang and Song Dynasty

Dancing with sword became a social activity and an ethos. It is different and less practical than the swordsmanship at that time. There was also a new type of swordsmanship called "fly sword"(飞剑). Since the society was in a very peaceful state, literacy was honored more than martial arts. Swords were regarded more as decorations for scholars and those that practiced literature opposed to being Tools of War.

Ming Dynasty

Practical swordsmanship was valued again due to turbulent society and incoming outside invaders. But in the end of Ming Dynasty, since society was back in peace, literacy was again valued more than martials including swordsmanship. People considered learning weapons and skills are for those inferiors; passing exams to become government officers or scholars are the right things to do.

Qing Dynasty

Swordsmanship development stagnated. Using swords, even wearing swords are no longer viewed as "noble person"(雅人). Qing government prohibited practicing martials(禁武). Only those folk schools took swordsmanship as "fitting skills"(健身技).

References

Sources

*Zhang Yun, The Complete Taiji Dao: The Art of the Chinese Saber, Blue Snake Books, *Zhang Yun, Art Of Chinese Swordsmanship: Manual Of Taiji Jian, Weatherhill, {{martial arts