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Weapons
Freedom Martial Arts
& Wellness Center
teaches traditional Chinese Kung-Fu. Involved with that training
is
learning to use several weapons. Every student will learn to use
each of
the four basic Chinese
weapons, including: Broad sword, Straight Sword, Long Staff,
and
Spear. In addition, students will have the opportunity to learn
several
other weapons, such as Short Staff, Steel Whip and certain Double
Weapons.
Below is a brief
description of each of the four basic
weapons.
Broad
Sword (Dan
Dao) - The Broadsword or Chinese Saber is a single edged
weapon. Only
the top third of the blade is sharp, with the lower two-thirds being
used to
block and parry. Today, the sword is practiced to preserve the
traditions
of ancient Chinese Martial Arts. Broadsword can be practiced as a
single
person form or in two-person sets, and can be used as a single weapon
or with
one in each hand as a double weapon.
Straight
Sword
(Jian) – Where the Broadsword relies on strength and power to be
effective,
the Straight Sword relies on agility and grace. This double
edged, razor
sharp sword was reserved for those of higher status (Generals,
Officers,
Emperors) because of the high level of skill and training needed to
wield it.
This weapon can be used alone (single sword), in pairs (one sword in
each hand)
or wielding another weapon or shield in the other hand.
Long Staff
(gwun)
– The typical Northern Chinese Long Staff is tapered from one end to
the other,
with the bottom being the thickest part. This creates an
imbalance in the
staff, allowing the user to spin it faster. This weapon is a long
range
weapon which, in skilled hands, can keep attackers at bay.
Although the
staff and spear share some techniques, their uses are vastly
different.
Long staff is typically used alone, as it takes both hands to
effectively
control the motions. There are several Long staff forms, both
single
person and two-person sets.
Spear (chiang)
–
Although similar to the Long Staff, the Spear’s main difference is that
it has
a blade. Spear is usually used at long range but a well trained
soldier
or martial artist can also use it as a knife or dagger at close
range.
Like Long Staff, Spear is always used as a single weapon (using both
hands to
control it). However, some variations
have a blade on each end, in essence making it two spears
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