The Jian Sword

The jian (gin) sword comes from very long ago in China ("very long in China" you all may know it is realy VERY long ago).

It is a very light and flexible one-handed sword with masterwork metal. The Chinese blacksmithing tecncs were passed to the Japanese to be used at the so famous katanas. Take a look at this site: http://www.shadowofleaves.com/Chinese_Sword_History.htm

Deal to it's flexible nature it can't block strong strikes, in place of that it conduces the atacks, manipulating it's movement. To handle the jian sword the fighter must have a very sensitive fell and have lots of dexterity to don't be beaten by a war hammer :P.

The movements are all very elegant with almost invisible circular movement by its point and its not used to chop with this weapon, it stabs principaly and can be used at cut movements, but a choping movement may be very goofy and may break the weapon. It requires extreme concentration, ability, keen weapons are always good exercice for the spirit and, if I'm not mistaken, it's a very good weapon for those who seek the development of the Chi energy.

Its most popular fighting style was the Wudang (Wu-Tang) developed by Taoist monks at a montain with same name, and its son style, the Tai-Chi. The Tai-Chi simble weapon, as well as Wudangs, is the jian sword witch is keen and flexible in contrast with the Shaolin's simble weapon: the staff, simple and hard.


Here a Tai-Chi pose, very popular


The name of this pose/tecnic is "the imortal points the way"


Coin swords were used in rituals



Here a link to a page of several links about this sword:
http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/sword.htm



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