#swordwork

Silver And Iron Anglian Sword Pommel, 600 to 800 CE, The Yorkshire Museum, York

So, one of my technique classes this year has been Wushu, which is a form of Chinese martial arts with weapons. Jon, the lecturer who teaches it, has basically been teaching a group of about ten of us to use a sword.

And then he’s decided he wants to put together a little routine for the dance faculty’s end of year show. Which means all of us have a little solo section. Fine, fine, whatever.

Except…

Because I’m left handed, I’ve been learning the moves as Jon teaches them (right handed) and then reversing it (left handed) so I can use the sword with both hands.

Which has now led to Jon teaching me to use two swords. I feel like a Jedi and it’s awesome. Slightly terrifying but awesome.

A High Qing Officer

Armed with a Jian. The vast majority of Manchu Bannermen carried dao, so it is quite unusual to see an official armed in this fashion.We know he is a Bannerman by the green jade thumb around his right thumb.Thumb rings were worn as a symbol of their status as Qiren. One might think that his man was left handed given that he is wearing his sword on his right hip. But the thumb ring on his right thumb indicated he was indeed right handed. Perhaps there were some social situations where those armed were required to wear their swords on the opposite hip to prevent a quick draw. If this is the case, I am unaware of such a tradition in China. My suggestion is pure speculation. It is also quite possible that the artist simple decided he liked this look better and the swords position on the right hip has nothing to do with how it was actual worn.

Qing Period images of Bannermen drawing their swords are rare, so I was quite please to uncover this portrait of one unsheathing his Jian.

Comparing what we see here with other Qing Period paintings, we should note several consistent details-

When Drawing a Jian, the left hand typically grasps the scabbard near to, or at, the scabbard throat. 

The upward draw into a Liao Cut appears to be the favored draw. This upward Liao can be angled to intercept a cut or initiate an advance.

Jian were often slung from a belt by cloth lanyards, however, it appears that in most cases Jianke preferred to carry the sword in the left free from any restraints a lanyard might impose.

Bannerman Drawing his Saber

What is quite interesting about this painting is how the Sword Drawing technique it depicts is consistent with what we have seen before. Note for example, the position of the hand on the scabbard as he draws. It is not at the scabbard throat, but grasped midway along the suspension band. A detail seen in all other illustrations where a Dao (saber) is being draw. Also note that he is drawing with the edge down. Another apparently standard element of the Chinese Quick Sword Draw.

It is also refreshing to see just how Qing swordsmen dressed. Not in the flamboyant colors often worn by martial artists at tournaments today. But in muted grey, functional and not ostentatious.

For more about this painting of BANNERMAN TE'ER DENG CHE, see Bonham’s Auction Website-

https://www.bonhams.com/auction/27991/lot/128/a-rare-and-important-imperial-court-painting-of-the-bannerman-teer-deng-che-qianlong-dated-by-inscription-to-the-wushen-year-corresponding-to-1788-and-of-the-period/

And for a tutorial on Chinese Fast Sword Drawing, see my video on YouTube-

Full Contact Chinese Swordplay Tournament Baltimore, 2023

No reason why you can’t close and use your empty hand to control your Duifang’s weapon.