Weapons

Weapons are instruments of fear; they are not a wise man's tools.
He uses them only when he has no choice.
Peace and quiet are dear to his heart.
And victory no cause for rejoicing.
If you rejoice in victory, then you delight in killing;
If you delight in killing, you cannot fulfil yourself.

(Lao Tzu)

Do we use weapons in tai chi?

Chinese martial arts have produced a massive range of weapons over the centuries.
Many of these weapons are used by tai chi schools.
The invention of the gun rendered most of these weapons obsolete.

In their own right, ancient weapons are not a viable form of kung fu. After all, you cannot use them in the street.

But the principles they offer are valuable...
Using a weapon teaches you the strategies, distance and timing associated with weapons use.
This, in turn helps you to be more capable of defending yourself against one, and far less naive about the dangers involved.


What is the point of doing weapons?

· precision
· better 'peng'
· increased strength
· increased striking power
· better muscle tone in the arms, back and torso
· agility and footwork (none of the weapons forms are slow forms)


Ambidexterity

All weapons must be trained equally with each hand, whether drills, form or partner work.
What good is a weapon if you can only use it with one hand?

Weapons work in our curriculum

Sifu Waller teaches:

1. Knife
   - knife drills
   - countering a knife
   - escapes/knife
   - chin na against a knife
   - knife drills dismantled
    

2. Stick
   - stick drills
   - small stick drills
   - 2 person cane form/drill
   - staff form
   - cane/walking stick form
   - stick drills dismantled
    

3. Improvised weaponry
    

4. Sword
   - broadsword drills
   - broadsword form
   - straight sword form
   - broadsword drills dismantled
   - broadsword applications
   - straight sword applications

Some of this training is suitable for health-only students.


Rubber knife

The knife is a very popular and dangerous weapon.
We learn how to defend against it.

Students are not taught how to use a knife in self defence.


Stick

The first weapon ever used by humans was probably a blunt instrument such as a short stick or a bone.
It would have been something that was to hand.
We adopt the same approach and train with sticks because they can be replaced by any suitable object you might find.


Improvised weaponry

Improvised weaponry is practical.
You reach out your hand and defend yourself with whatever you can find.

If a burglar pulls a knife on you, you may well find yourself armed with a frying pan or a TV guide.


Sword

Students practice sword drills and then learn the broadsword form and the straight sword form.
This heavy weapon offers a notable workout.
It develops upper body strength, whole body movement and wrist flexibility. Students learn how to extend their energy through the blade.

Confronted by limitations of effectiveness, the martial arts of the West responded with a continuous crafting of superior equipment. Confronted with similar limitations, the Japanese warrior responded by fashioning a better self. The bushi turned not to technology in making his sword a better tool for fighting. Influenced by contemplative aspects of taoism and Buddhism and by the self-discipline of Confucianism, he turned inward. He fine-tuned his body and mind in order to better manipulate his sword.

(Dave Lowry)

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Page created 22 May 1994