I always marvel at overseas experts knowing significantly more about Chinese culture than I do as an ethnically Chinese person. I'm glad my culture has interested people and would definitely learn from this video.

@mugenGRTC

8 ай бұрын

Thanks for your support. It is appreciated.

Informative as always and great restoration. Fast draw technique really is something often overlooked by modern practitioners of Chinese swordsmanship.

@smrsevenstarstradingco.241

2 жыл бұрын

Indeed. Looking closer, it is fair to say that nearly every sword art, from wherever in the world, had some sort of drawing technique. My teacher, Wang Yen-nien mentioned the practice to me years ago, so started looking for historical references.

At 8:19 you completely nail the draw. That was the best draw of the whole video. It happened perfectly! (Making the wild outsiders guess that it happened automatically without a thought partly because you were focused on describing putting the sword away.)

Fantastic to see these arts being preserved abd passed on to the next generation. Thank you Laoshi

@smrsevenstarstradingco.241

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your support David.

@zatrusofnietzche2281

10 ай бұрын

Agree but need convincing before I change my efficient method. Started with a Rapier 47 yrs ago, age 7 then. The only possible advantage I can think of for this method ( and it's a stretch 🤔) blocking ? But with fingers on the blade ¿ I just cannot see this working. Please enlighten me ☯️🙏

Very interesting...

@smrsevenstarstradingco.241

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Gav.

A thought came to me, it seems the chinese sword wasn't predominantly intended to be used with a shield, it was more like carried in the court or civilian life. in this case, the scabbard will becomes quite a useful stopping and parrying device. perhaps It's also one of the more plausible explanations for the Chinese "sword fingers", in other words, for holding the unused hand's index and middle finger strongly extended and the other finger tips together; it's a symbol for the scabbard, and with that its poking and even blocking techniques in many forms make sense.

@MrGod47

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I also see more and more practitioners think that "劍指sword finger" actually represents scabbard, not just an assistant posture or just for stylish.

@rimroth5224

2 жыл бұрын

Jupp I had that thought to but I am not quite sure

@LaifuLama

2 жыл бұрын

Use fingers as a shield?

@rimroth5224

2 жыл бұрын

@@LaifuLama the fingers are a symbol for a shield or the scabbard that is used as a shield

@LaifuLama

2 жыл бұрын

@@rimroth5224 Are you aware that the "sword fingers" are often placed on right wrist, right shoulder, and even at the back of the body when practicing many forms of Chinese swords?

Great lessons for fast draws and cuts. Also for resheathing. First time I've come across this. Thank you.

I was hoping for a high noon showdown. Informative, and you have a fast thumb up.

Interesting that Ma Chao was known for a fast draw technique, but yet in one of the few instances of duels mentioned in the Sanguozhi (specifically a Weilue annotation added to his biography by Pei Songzhi), he gets wounded by Yan Xing and nearly killed, except that Ma Teng's cavalry rescues him.

truly interesting technique we know that "fast drawing" are easier and more efficient to do with single-edged swords like Katana etc., having non-sharp side really helps on the drawing and sheating the sword, it also helps saving the scabbard from getting cut and damaged internally, because the "schwing" sound is the sign of 2 metal grinding on each other damaging the blade and the scabbard together (especially when doing fast draw), in Iaido we should avoid and minimize any kind of "sound" when drawing the sword because it's a sign of a good smooth draw where you doesn't damage the blade & scabbard but i didn't know fast drawing techniques also practiced on double-edged swords, those techniques are amazing while minimizing the inevitable grinding sound on double-edge sword, and using thumb to guide the sheating sword side-way is a brilliant way to do it, obviously its harder to do it on Double-edge than the Single-edge sword sheating technique, but they do share the same principle by using left hand fingers to guide the sheating sword blade this is absolutely a good educational video

@mugenGRTC

9 ай бұрын

Thanks.

That cutting at the start was beautiful, thanks for the informative video and lessons

@mugenGRTC

10 ай бұрын

Thanks, we appreciate your support!

Good video. ahah I started practicing jian drawing watching this and found out why not to hold the scabbard up so high at the mouth... the overlap of the guard can pinch the hand pretty quick! Need that little space

just awesome.... makes me want to learn it :)

@smrsevenstarstradingco.241

2 жыл бұрын

Why not? Give it a go and let us know how it goes.

Thanks for another very informative and interesting video.

@mugenGRTC

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, we appreciate all the support we get.

2023 . just saw this .. yes awesome ..

What are g-cut and p-cut? Great stuff, thinking about taking a class soon!

@scottm.rodellgrtc2969

Жыл бұрын

Pi Cut is one if Basic Cuts. It is a downward “splitting” cut. There isn’t a “G” cut. Perhaps when I said Pi, it sounded like “G”. See you at the Academy...

@Sword_Cowboy

Жыл бұрын

​@@scottm.rodellgrtc2969 i believe the "g cut" is in reference to what might have been said around the 4:31 mark in the video

@waynecolony5814

5 ай бұрын

@@Sword_Cowboy I'm wondering it the side cut he refers to at 4:55 is a "Ge cut". (Don't know Chinese at all!)

Very informative and practical. I enjoyed the history lesson too. Thanks.

@mugenGRTC

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, we appreciate the support!

Thanks a lot for the informative video. I have already wondered if there are some Iaido-like concepts in the Chinese sword arts. I also did not expect that there were concepts of quick drawing of the different Dao types as well. I thought the quick draw was just a concept with the Jian.

@smrsevenstarstradingco.241

2 жыл бұрын

During the Qing period, Manchu Bannerman standardly carried Dao. In fact it is difficult to find period illustrations of Bannermen armed with Jian. So, naturally they had to have a fast draw system/techniques for the Dao. Thanks for your support.

@ErraticFaith

Жыл бұрын

It's remarkably slow comparatively. Any Chinese swordsman would be long dead before he could draw this way vs the Katana.

@synthemagician4686

7 ай бұрын

​@@ErraticFaith Not necessarily, any type of quick draw relies on the same principle, instead of just pulling the sword from the scabbard, you also pull the scabbard away from the sword. This means your sword clears the scabbard earlier, and you get that tip moving for a cut that much faster. It's the same concept, just presented in different ways. Given a Jian can be shorter than a Katana, you can clear the tip a bit faster on the principle that it's a shorter blade. This only applies to shorter Jians though. The curve on the Katana may or may not give a slight advantage in speed compared to a straight blade, but Jian's are also much lighter, so you can get them moving a bit quicker. I know I can get draw a Jian much faster than a Katana, but I'm not an expert or anything.

@ErraticFaith

7 ай бұрын

My fastest draw of the full length Katana is just shy of a second. With some variety. Unless someone is preemptive they’ll be dead before they can block/parry/avoid. Which is the point of the style and technique. It would be nigh useless without that. I find CS laughably sluggish comparatively but there will always be variables.

@synthemagician4686

7 ай бұрын

​@@ErraticFaith Yes, striking an opponent that isn't ready isn't something they can avoid. That's not specific to a certain weapon or style, that's just always true. Quick draws aren't just about offense though, being able to quick draw is assuming you know there could be a threat, and reacting to that threat. Getting your blade out to defend yourself as quick as possible.

very nice video, master, thank you for share

@mugenGRTC

2 ай бұрын

Glad to hear it was helpful, thanks for your support.

I have a question about 太平腰刀勢: In many Qing dynasty paintings and photos, soldiers are depicted with their sabres hung from the belt, to the left side, with the grip pointing to the back. This seems like a very awkward way to wear a sword for a right-handed person. I was told that it was because Qing dynasty soldiers carried their bow on the left side. If the saber hilt is pointing forward, then it could easily get tangled up with the bow, which was the primary weapon of a Qing cavalryman on horseback. people told me to draw the saber with 太平腰刀勢, the left hand would rotate the saber so that the hilt would point forward. The right hand would draw the blade edge up, which allows for a much quicker draw like the katana way. An alternative draw method would be for the right hand to reach behind the back to draw the blade and then swing it in a wide arc to an opponent on the right side. Is this possible?

@GavsFishRoom

2 жыл бұрын

Good question, looking forward to hearing Rodell Laoshi's thoughts.

Are there any styles where you fight with both the sword and Scabbard?

@MrGod47

2 жыл бұрын

The "sword fingers"(劍指) which exist in almost every Chinese swordsmanship is said to be a placeholder or representation of scabbard according to some modern studies and restoration. Sword Fingers used to be considered as just a form of assistant posture to assist the hand you hold with the sword, but now more and more experiments and evidences show it actually represents a placeholder of scabbard on your hand.

@camrendavis6650

2 жыл бұрын

@@MrGod47 that makes so much sense

@smrsevenstarstradingco.241

2 жыл бұрын

@@MrGod47 interesting idea, what modern studies are you referring to? Honestly, I don’t see the way the empty hand/talisman as employed as being similar to double weapon techniques, which is what we were are talking about if you plan on wielding the scabbard as a companion to the jian.

@smrsevenstarstradingco.241

2 жыл бұрын

This question comes up from time to time, I have yet to see anyone present a period Chinese Sword form that uses the scabbard as a companion weapon to the jian. From my experience cutting, it is hard to see how the scabbard would hold up very long to cuts. But in a pinch, anything goes.

@No_Man_Is_An_Island

2 жыл бұрын

@@smrsevenstarstradingco.241 I know the Fiore does use the scabbard defensively as a defensive technique, such as using the scabbard to block while drawing your sword. but as far as I know there is no martial art that centers entirely around fighting in that manner.

Thank you very much for this lesson !!! 🙏🙏🙏

@mugenGRTC

Жыл бұрын

No worries, thanks for supporting the Art...

Outstanding! Iaido doesn't have a monopoly on quick draw! Good to know.

Excelente vídeo!

@mugenGRTC

4 ай бұрын

Thanks!

thanks for the info & forms. just as a reenactor who favor's a hand & half or bastard sword for it, (facing flat on, like Shin Gi & Bahuoa wushu) i usually start with sword sheathed in left handand perform something in between a qui and a pea cut when enemy attacks. it starts like a qui cut but i dont fully unsheathe with sword more vertical generally than in qui cut(depending on angle of their attack) and block on sword preferably near ricaso using scabbard to cushion hand then as i deflect i use left hand to fully unsheathe step forwards rotate wrist and perform a pea cut essentially across their chest(head necks out of bounds in reenactment) i cant recommend it enough if i dont win my face off with draw then usually i have a problem :P but i win enough just because of not finishing draw till enemy is committed and beaten already

I find curved swords much easier to draw in one continuous motion than straight swords. Usually when I draw my jian I have to adjust the angle a little before delivering a cut, whereas with a curved sword (I have some talwars) I can just draw and cut at the same time easily with no adjustment. Perhaps the difference in hand position for the dao vs jian is just because with the jian you need to be more particular to get it to work right, whereas the dao is more forgiving of more different hand positions?

@rimroth5224

2 жыл бұрын

Depends, when you look at Japanese sworddrawing you often correct the angle you cut when drawing with the other hand. Just do it similar with the scabbard of the jian and you will be fast.

The concept of Iaido got me wondering what the equivalent tradition was in Chinese swordsmanship, and other types for that matter. I'm sure it was completely variable in terms of no one set way. Iaido after all is a more modern concept in Japan as you likely know, as it standardized 12 forms of drawing, yet the older sword schools to my understanding had their own iai. Nevertheless it gets me curious because, being the art of formality that jianfa was in general, certainly there must have been some kinds of tradition in that area. Shame more knowledge of it never got passed down. Question, would having the jian strapped at your waist affect your draws? Or is it more of a matter of always holding the sheathed sword in hand like that?

@smrsevenstarstradingco.241

2 жыл бұрын

During the Qing period, both Jian & Dao were sling from 2 lanyards from one’s sword belt when not carried in the left hand. Take a look again at the images of Manchu Bannerman at the beginning of this video. There was generally enough slack in these lanyards to not interfere with drawing.

@calligraphy4244

Жыл бұрын

Honestly, with how secretive people are with gatekeeping their techniques from others, at least in ancient times, except passing it to those they deem talented and trusthworthy, I wouldn't be surprised just how much techniques in general were lost to time, and whether or not modern forms of arts are truly as preserved as they are. It was cool to see the overhead draw cut technique.

Since you referred to Han Dynasty examples, have you tried recreating this with that style of jian?

❤❤

So how where these swords carried since the scabbards can't be attached to the belt for these drawing techniques.

@smrsevenstarstradingco.241

2 жыл бұрын

Both Jian and Dao were carried slung from the belt by 2 lanyards. If you have a second look at the paintings of Manchu Bannermen at the beginning of the video at 1:08, you will see the lanyard I am talking about. Note that they are long enough to allow for the drawing method I recreated.

I have found with Chinese swordsmanship, it is more about balance, the body moving in equal opposite action, when resheathing the sword, sword hand up sheath hand down, the posture will create a straight line by hip and shoulder sword to sheath. Not liado as would be the style of the Samurai

It is not the art of drawing the blade from the Scabbard. Rather, the art of removing the Scabbard from the blade. :)

What do you mean by the terms "P-cut" and "G-cut"?

🤠👍🏿

@smrsevenstarstradingco.241

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I appreciate everyone’s support.

Hello Sir.. Were lefthanded swordsmen were prohibited using the lefthand..

@mugenGRTC

2 жыл бұрын

No, not specifically. But given the nature of Chinese Qing era society, everyone adopted using the right hand. At Great River, everyone is encouraged to train both hands equally.

I wonder what the han jian, fast sword draw technique is.

@mugenGRTC

5 ай бұрын

Unfortunately, we know next to nothing about Han Era Sword Work. The Han Dynasty was 2,000 years ago. No written records of even the Basic Cuts of Han Jianfa survive. We don't even have descriptions from people who saw it. All the "Han Sword" you see presented these days is pure conjecture based on a few paintings in tombs. We cannot even say if the artist who painted those represented the art with any accuracy. In all fairness, contemporary Han Sword recreations are a fantasy.

I just realized my throw draw is different also ? I basically hold the sword still and pull the sheath back then simply turn the blade. Its very efficient in small a space. Heck ill ask someone to video me . Upload and request your opinion 🙏☯️

I really truly do not wish to be negative. The draw 👍 Resheathing in that L shape 🤔🤔 I am seriously not a fan. Perhaps my other arts are showing but I actually perform a circle then stroke along my index finger with the blade already in line with the sheath. . I do this holding the sheath solely in my hand or with the sheath attached to my waist. Probably from Katana /kenjutsu. I am completely confident with this method with any sword. Very interesting if historical ? Otherwise I will continue to use this method until I can find fault with it. I can duel wield anything with this method and work upto two swords forward and two short staff held in reverse ( or any combination of 4 weapons ) I call this my "bayblade" form. Not practical for battle as it requires a lot of attention ⚔️⚔️ but for dexterity and training four weapons is perfectly possible. Amitofuo ☯️🙏🇪🇸

We really need to communicate. I believe I've accomplished these and more and believe I can answer some of your questions. Such a shame when nobody replies. I truly believe I have much useful information. I've got all of these carrying it wearing, Chinese or Japanese style, Jian , Doa, katana or anything. I absolutely do not at my sheath. I have strong reasons to disagree with your finger placements. Hope we can exchange information or I will simply carry on with all methods as I perfect my "guardian of the palace" form. Multiple swords, staff , rucksack, coins for blind man's long staff. Handfan to aid hearing. A combat pen with 24 Yang. I even use my clothes as a weapon. Enough if you reply great. If not I move on 🙏☯️

@mugenGRTC

9 ай бұрын

Are your conclusions based on your own invention or drawn from a traditional lineage?