Discussions on Chinese weapons martial arts in swords, archery, spears, and related topics. I focus on reviews, weapons training, and insight from my own experiences.
I find your approach of explaining it soberly with a mechanical advantage fascinating and would like to clearly thank you for your factual approach. Many thanks also for the effort you put into the video. However, I would like to disagree with you on the content: Your explanation does show how to hold the sword correctly and also how well it fits in the hand. But it does not explain why one did not simply make the guards 5 cm longer each... I have numerous (European) swords at home and each of your movements can be easily reproduced with any of these swords. I would even argue that the movements of the sword in European martial arts and Chinese martial arts are not that different. I can't prove it, but I suspect a much simpler explanation: namely, that the Jian was often used in a military context in combination with a shield. Also, European swords that were used with shields generally lack a large guard (e.g., Gladius or Viking swords). Even though the Jian was also used in a civilian context, its origin and therefore its design lies in the military environment. Best regards and thanks for your video :)
Hmmm but European swordsmanship has both of the same techniques and also has the same points of contact. Sure, the guard can get in the way sometimes but I have found that most beginners overcome that after a month of practice. I used to bruise my arm and hit my head all the time with the large guard, but now I can't even remember the last time it happened. The European explanation for the large guard is the prevalence of binding and winding in European techniques. As far as I know, that's not prevalent in Chinese swordsmanship, so the lack of binding and winding seems like a much more likely explanation. Have you found with a European arming sword before? It is only possible to compare them if you have wielded both
Phenomenal video, sir. I learned more from this than expected. You have a warrior's intuition. Also, I believe just like the sword design adapted to the needs on the battlefield, the warrior would adapt to the needs of the sword as you have. I'm confident the Jian and the European Longsword have a similar origin story based on the evolution of technology for the locations of their time. Supposedly, legs evolved on bottom dwelling creatures under the sea and went extinct multiple times, because legs worked and I don' t think this is any different (like Jians going in and out of "style" in China over the centuries). I have a similar, but slightly smaller, sword on the way and I will be incorporating your techniques into my weebing. If I may, how tall are you? I'm curious how the dimensions of the sword and yourself match up.
Hey think you can do a video on the Han Jian (the one with the thicker square like hilt) and the Liuyedao. Since i'm not sure if the same style and technique would apply to these as well, I've been looking all over RU-vid but I only see the one tai chi sword/butterfly hilt one. ( I'm new to the different types of straight and curved Chinese swords, they just feel right in the hand for me so I wanted to learn more about them.)
Swords were seldom ever worn on the back historically, and even when they were it was only to get them out of the way while climbing or just traveling long distances or places where wearing it on the side would be cumbersome, it would be slung in a way that could allow it to be swung down to the side for easier drawing. The form shown in the video is perfect... I know Shadiversity made a scabbard that allows it to be drawn from the back, but the problem with that is how the back scabbard is then ineffective in protecting the sword blade from the elements...
Thank you for this, I'm on the verge of buying a Two handed Chinese sword ( still not set of Jain or dao) but regardless I was wondering how to draw some of these larger swords as my experience revolves around Khukuri as well as Kopis.
I do European Historical Martial Arts, and I think it's really great to see some one doing the same things for Chinese martial arts. Every now and then, it's fun to try an exotic new weapon. And it's always vaugly familiar in it's approach but elegantly different in its execution. Also eastern swords can be very pretty. And I've never been exposed to the Jian or how it works. So it's going to be fascinating to see how it works.
Pretty impressive sword. It reminds me of my own kind of Longshore. Your sword looks familiar enough for me to do Meyer and Ringeck with it. It is also very impressive that it's only two pounds considering the size of it. I think you've stimulated my interest in Chinese weapons now.
One is definitely taking a risk by "fingering the guard". Though it does help get the tip more in line w/ the shoulder but for the type of systems those swords were designed for its not really needed imo either.
In Europe the argument of what was better, the CUT or the THRUST raged for centuries with the rapier finally winning the day. The Jian is a perfect balance between both the cut and the thrust. That is why you see the techniques of the Jian float in between both tactics. The Jian attempts to do both at a high level (cut and thrust) A lot Quan Fa (fist methods) did/do the same. I don’t practice Taijiquan but looking at Yang Chen Fu’s art (it’s similarities with Wu and Hoa) knowing that many arts of that era concentrated on high % techniques and shredded the not practical … those Quan fa … I see attempting to be like a Jian … half pugilist, half wrestling … best of both worlds so many non martial artist practitioners it’s hard to see the authoritative side with prowess
Excellent lesson. Thank you. As a kid we all used kendo swords. As a young man I practiced HEMA/rapier. Lately I've realized jian is best, for me anyway. The most optimal sword design.
Oh, and I would actually be interested in the history of the tassels and how they are used. I have a tassel, but I see many people practicing without. Is that because the sword is balanced differently or is that a different style? 🙏🏻
Hi Sinkpoint, very nice review. We have here the same problems. At the moment we use LARP-Jians. But your solutions looks quite better. Do you sell these, too? Greetings from Germany Frank
Hungarian are practiceing this kind of sabre like Cosak sword in Ukraine They used to spar after they shoot arrows on the horse and get off horse. There are a lot of this kind of Sabre Three kingdoms in Korea. Wall paintings in ancient tomb has this straight one side blade. Round hand is for string on the horse. But they used this after get off horse as I mentioned it. Hungarian still demonstrate this now.
This is pretty nice. Fits a niche right below nylon synthetics - and for less than $50 (CAD), so approx. 30% cheaper than the LK Chen one-handed sparring nylons - much cheaper after considering the reduced cost of protective gear required. Does it flex much side-to-side for the thrust? The foam-cored notion is rather nice. It sounds like it'd be durable whilst removing the sharp impact that synthetics and above have on edge strikes.
Hey there, discovered you channel recently and loving the content! Really cool to see Chinese swords being reviewed and handled by someone who trained and is well versed in Chinese swordsmanship as compared to those from a HEMA background. Would love to see a video(s) going through the different dynasties and eras of Chinese swords and what they were used for etc. The history behind the swords are a great touch as well! Subscribed and looking forward for more content! Also, I'm trying to get into Chinese sword fighting (more practical combat instead of performance and form). What kind of sword would you recommend for practice? Wushu jians with the floppy tips? Wooden? Also trying to keep it cheap haha.
I use window insulation foams from Home depot. Foam should be as rigid as possible, so the blade can be more stiff. There's a big trade-off between density and safety, the more dense the foam, the heavier it is, but will hurt more.
Nice collection of tools I'll study your teachings to advanced my own knowledge I am grateful to you for your time and effort for creating this content
Good video. I would also point out that the guard shape is well suited (based on the shape of the hand holding the jian) to allow greater surface contact with the hand which is very beneficial in thrusting strikes. Greater surface contact with the hand allows for greater transference of force from the arm through the hand to jian (which then means greater penetrative force to an opponent). Also, that same amount of contact helps keep the hand from slipping on grip when the thrust meets resistance (shield, armor or bone). And the pommel is also nicely shaped to allow the hand to retain its grip when reversing the thrust if the blade is bound up in its target - that shield, armor or bone. Good video breaking down the finger grip issues.
if you ever get a chance i would love for you to do a video on what ming dynasty warriors wore under their armor and perhaps on the LK Chen silver swallow?
