Tai Sword

Welcome to the Forums, Bowman.

Can you be more specific? Are you wanting to know general form of the sword? History? Purpose? Composition? Where to get one? How to train with one?

I assume you refer to the straight, double-edged sword most frequently connected with Tai Chi Chuan. Around a meter long, usually with a tassel attached to the pommel.
 
Indeed it is Hawke. It is 38inches long, spring steel, and yes, with tassel. I wish to know of a reputable producer of such a sword. Twin edged and engraved with a dragon on one side and pohoenix on the other.

If there are any Tai Chi exponent who are in this forum, please let me know of the sword. Better still, if there are pictures on the web. I have listened many stories of such a sword but have not come across one that fits the use.

Thanks
 

The type of sword your refering to is called a "jian" in romanized mandarin or a "gim" in romanized cantonese. While its been closely associated w/the various Tai Chi Chuan styles, particularly Yang style, a lot of other traditional Chinese martial art styles use it too (LuoHan Chuan, Bei Shaolin, 7 Star Mantis, etc).
It is considered the "king" or "queen" of Chinese bladed, short handled martial arts weapons because of its finesse oriented usage and difficult mastery. There are actually several different types of jians from the bao jian or scholars sword to the more rigid and shorter gao jian (ancient style sword). All of them have their advocates and corresponding styles or systems.
The examples produced today for martial arts practice range in quality from terrible to OK and usable. None are really up to par w/the antique jians from the early Qing and late Ming dynasty. However the modern versions are cheap and plentiful. You can look at this site which has lots of Chinese Martial arts supplies:

www.wle.com

There are lots of others selling the stuff which mostly comes from China and is again relatively inexpensive (or should be) but of spotty quality.

 
thanks, friend. that was enlightening. great help. I am into Yang style Tai Chi and I am mesmerised by some of the Gim used.

Thank you.



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Hey, Bowman, I just came across this site:

www.by-the-sword.com/orient3.html

Looks interesting. I've never tried Hanwei or anything from C.A.S Iberia, but I've heard Iberia reported reputable, and another forumite recently pronounced Hanwei good here. Looks like a few liberties may have been taken, varying from tradition--I don't think I've ever seen one with such a prominent yin/yang. Even so, may be worth a shot. Damascus, be it pattern-weld or wootz, is usually a safe bet, traditional or not. Anybody had any direct experience with the Hanwei Jian?

Good to have an archer around. Take care Bowman.
 
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