|
|
The weapons used by Kung Fu masters originate mainly
from ancient military weapons. The Eighteen Arms, the term used to describe Kung Fu
Weaponary includes the Sabre, spear, sword, halbert, axe, battle axe, hook, fork, whip,
mace, hammer, talon, trident-halberd, cudgel, long-handled spear, short cudgel, stick and
meteor hammer. Some weapons are used to fight at a distance, while others at close range.
Some are overt where as others are covert. Some are hard while others are soft. Their
functions are wide ranging-they beat, kill, hit, shoot and block with cutting blades,
hooks, points or pricks.
The assortment of Kung Fu weapons has added to the colorful programs of martial arts, and
proficiency in Kung Fu involves being skilled in the techniques and usage of the
Eighteen-Arms. A brief introduction to the weapons and their individual characteristics
follows.
FOUR MAJOR WEAPONS
The four major weapons - sabre,
spear, sword and cudgel - have been widely used by Kung Fu masters since ancient times in
different styles of martial arts. They are also the main weapons in current Kung Fu
competitions.
Sword Sabre Spear Cudgel
Sword
The sword is called the "gentleman of all weapons". It is the most widely used
of all weapons and its influence goes beyond the field of Kung Fu. Every school of Kung Fu
uses the sword as the basic weapon for rigorous training.
Sword play in China was first seen in sacrificial offerings to gods or ancestors. In the
Spring and Autumn Period and during the Warring States 2.000 years ago, sword play became
a common practice in society. After years of reinement, it is now one of the major
competitive events in Kung Fu competition today.
Sword play is brisk, agile, elegant, easy, graceful and natural in action. The movements
are flexible, as well as variable. Attention is paid to both motion and stillness.
Hardness and suppleness supplement each other. So sword play is likened to the
"flying phoenix".
There are many techniques in sword play. The main techniques include hitting, piercing,
pointing, lifting, jumping and leaping, hanging, chopping, floating, poking, sweeping,
wrestling, blocking, and wiping. These actions, combined with body movements and
footsteps, form various routines of sword play.
There are varied styles of sword play routines, handed down from ancient times. The
popular ones include Taiji, Wudang, Bodhi-dharma, Longxing, Sancai, Qingping, Baxian
(Eight-Immortals), Mantis, Lianhuan, Drunkard and Xingyi. The Chinese Physical Culture and
Sports Commission has also worked out new routines for competition and physical exercises.
It is said that the Chinese sword play, although a simple form of play with hand weapons,
has deep ideological connotations. From emperors, high-ranking military officers and
ministers to common people, experts and scholars, the wearing of swords shows them to be a
refined person signifying they are cultured and familiar with the arts. The skill and
theory of sword play was perfected and eventually formed the distinctive "Sword
Culture"in China.
Sabre
Sabre is called the marshall of all weapons. It is one pf the most used weapons in Chinese
Kung Fu. According to the shape and size, it is divides into short-hilted sabre, twin
short-hilted sabre, sabre, nine-ring sabre ( named as nine rings on the handle ), broad
sword, long-bladed short-hilted sabre and others.
Sabre play is vigorous and quick in defence and offence so it is likened to the
"fierce tiger". The main techniques of sabre play include chopping, hacking,
cutting, pricking, lifting, poking, winding, blocking, pushing and knocking. When you have
sabre practice, the cooperation between the sabre and the hands is very important and both
hands must closely coordinate with each other, so as to maintain balance. Sabre play calls
for rigorous training and constant practice. The sabre and the body must also be
consistent. "Make sure that sabre is always around your body, and your hands, feet,
shoulders, and arms turn together with the sabre". The main routines of sabre play
include panlong (coil dragon), Bagua (eight-diagrams), Qinglong (green dragon), Miao
Sabre, Nine-Ring sabre, Liuhe (6 combination), Shaolin Twin sabres, Taiji, Yexing
(nighttravel), Meihua (plum blossom), Drunkard sabre and monkey sabre. In addition, the
combination of sabre with other weapons forms many more routines. For example, the play
with sabre in one hand and staff in another is called "sabre play with staff", a
favorite exercise for Kung Fu enthusiasts. Sabre play demonstrates hardness and
powerfulness, but not always. In defence and dodging actions, suppleness is needed.
Spear
The spear is called the king of all weapons. It is one of the major long-shaft Kung Fu
weapons. There are different types of spear, such as carefully designed and delicately
made "flowery spear", thick and bold spear, zigzag spear with a sharp point and
blade, double-head spear with blades on both sides. The spear was the major military
weapon in ancient times and compact technique was developed. The main characteristics of
spear play are flexibility in body movements, lightness and agility in footwork, quickness
and steadiness in turns and somersaults. The movements are clear and the tricks are
practical. Spear play is likened to the "flying dragon". Spear play is very
difficult, but it has a great effect on strengthening the physique.
The basic techniques of spear play include pricking, thrusting, circling, blocking,
pointing, poking, holding and wringing. When you practise, you are advised to hold the
spear firmly and flexibly, advance and retreat freely and smoothly, pricking the opponent
quickly and directly, with the force on the point of the spear. This is one of the
important basic skills in spear play. When you hold the spear, it must be close to your
waist for support so that you can exert your force easily. In all routines of spear play,
the point of the spear moves in a circle, which is regarded as the fundamental of all
styles of spear play and requires hard practice. The main routines include bagua
(eight-diagram), Luihe (6 combination), Double-head, yueya (crescent), Meihua (plum
blossom), Shewei (snake-tail), Yang family, Siping and Big spear play as well.
Cudgel
Thecudgel is called the "father of all weapons" meaning all other weapons were
developed from it.
As the cudgel is easy to make and use, and is practical, it has become a very popular
weapon.
Cudgel play lays stress on a sweeping action so the saying goes "with a cudgel you
sweep all around". Some tricks employed for other weapons (such as spear and sabre)
can also be used in cudgel play. there are many methods of playing the cudgel. Among the
most commonly used are chopping, swinging, jabbing, hanging, jumping, leaping, smashing,
pointing, blocking, sheltering, holding, piercing, floating, carrying, poking and lifting.
The different schools of cudgel play have different amphasis. Cudgel is played as quickly
as heavy rainfall and cudgel play combines offence with defence, always changing the ways
of play. The main routines include Qimei, Shaolin, Panlong (coiled dragon), Jiuzhou (9
continent), Luihe (6 combination), Tianqi, Bhodi-dharma, Monkey and Drunkard.
Cudgels are mostly made of wood but some are madee of metal. In addition to long cudgels,
there are two-section cudgel and three-section cudgel.
|
|
|
