As far as swords go, it is a loser. It is skinny and thin, not able to take the bashing of force like a sabre. It only has curve at the tip, not able to slice through armor like a samurai sword.
Yet, in the skinny of the blade is the strength. And in the lack of curve in that fine piece of steel is the art. Indeed, for the true artist, the tai chi sword may be the ultimate weapon.
Light and flitting, skinny and delicate, it is more like a knitting needle than a sword. Yet a knitting needle has been known to carve the most beautiful of garments. And to observe knitting needles wielded by a serious and grim-lipped granny is to see the twinkling of art come robustly alive.
At the far end of the length of steel the tip curves, a mere inch of cutting surface. Yet, any person who has experienced the sharp scratch of needle tip knows its potency. Indeed, the mere scratch of a needle tip can leave a jagged wound that is unwilling to readily repair itself.
The real point here is that such a delicate instrument is not meant for bashing or massive slicing any more than a doctors scalpel. It is meant for reaching in and tipping. It is meant for the delicate move which slides in under, over and past the basher and the cutter.
A delicate insertion of the wicked, little tip, a quick flick of the firm and practiced wrist, and the aims of the warrior are attained. This art, this true art, is an appreciation of the sphere of space surrounding true warrior. This appreciation of space is truly at the heart of all martial arts.
Bashers and cutters, not to be disrespectful, are but fence painters, splashing their liquids indiscriminately, and ruling by dint of whatever force they can muster. The wielder of the slight and skinny tai chi sword, however, is a doctor, an artist, and a sculptor. He rules by by dint of his endeavors to seek and make flourish intelligence.
For he who parries and thrusts with the tai chi sword must hold sway by exercising the intelligence to perceive the true geometries of the world, and thus undo, the ruthlessness of the cutter and the force of the basher. He must cut under and over brute force with intelligence to prove that he is equal to and better. And within his strivings are the heart of the artist, the accomplishment of the unique individual, and the manifestation of the true art. - 30300
Yet, in the skinny of the blade is the strength. And in the lack of curve in that fine piece of steel is the art. Indeed, for the true artist, the tai chi sword may be the ultimate weapon.
Light and flitting, skinny and delicate, it is more like a knitting needle than a sword. Yet a knitting needle has been known to carve the most beautiful of garments. And to observe knitting needles wielded by a serious and grim-lipped granny is to see the twinkling of art come robustly alive.
At the far end of the length of steel the tip curves, a mere inch of cutting surface. Yet, any person who has experienced the sharp scratch of needle tip knows its potency. Indeed, the mere scratch of a needle tip can leave a jagged wound that is unwilling to readily repair itself.
The real point here is that such a delicate instrument is not meant for bashing or massive slicing any more than a doctors scalpel. It is meant for reaching in and tipping. It is meant for the delicate move which slides in under, over and past the basher and the cutter.
A delicate insertion of the wicked, little tip, a quick flick of the firm and practiced wrist, and the aims of the warrior are attained. This art, this true art, is an appreciation of the sphere of space surrounding true warrior. This appreciation of space is truly at the heart of all martial arts.
Bashers and cutters, not to be disrespectful, are but fence painters, splashing their liquids indiscriminately, and ruling by dint of whatever force they can muster. The wielder of the slight and skinny tai chi sword, however, is a doctor, an artist, and a sculptor. He rules by by dint of his endeavors to seek and make flourish intelligence.
For he who parries and thrusts with the tai chi sword must hold sway by exercising the intelligence to perceive the true geometries of the world, and thus undo, the ruthlessness of the cutter and the force of the basher. He must cut under and over brute force with intelligence to prove that he is equal to and better. And within his strivings are the heart of the artist, the accomplishment of the unique individual, and the manifestation of the true art. - 30300
About the Author:
Al Case has studied tai chi for 3O years. You can avail yourself of his ebook at Monster Martial Arts.
