The Way of the Sword; An Article by the Chief Instructor Mr Russell Suthern

We are about to embark on an exciting ten week course, learning the incredibly rare two handed straight sword form.

I thought it would be a good time to talk about the correct performance of the sword form (although this advice is relevant to any form.)

When doing a form, one must exhibit a seamless blend of martial and art.

The movements must show the precision, accuracy & intention of a fighting method.

They must also incorporate the graceful, fluid beauty of a dance or any other artistic performance.

But there must be something extra. The joy & passion of the performance must shine through so that it touches & connects with the observer.

The perfect blend of martial & art, with a little something extra thrown in to fuse everything together.

This is known as “Jian Shu,” or “sword skill.” The great Tang Dynasty poet Tu Fu once observed the legendary sword mistress Kun Shun performing her sword practice & was amazed by her incredible Jian Shu. (Tu Fu describes the form as a “dance”, showing the connection between fighting application & performance art, even then.)

The resulting poem describes what I am trying to say far more succinctly than I ever could:

Once there was a lady named Kun Shun,

When she danced with her sword it was truly spectacular.

It was as if the sky & land were shaken,

And the Heaven & Earth lowered their heads.

It was as bright as the nine falling suns shot by the mighty Yi,

And as swift as a flight of Dragons!

Her sword dance started so powerfully,

That even the lightning & thunder

Would have to suppress their shattering anger,

And she stopped as calmly as the

Sparkling lights reflected by the Sea & Ocean.

When you do your sword form- THAT’S what I’m looking for.

Good luck, guys… I’ll see you in class.