Double-Edge Sword 剑

Grandmaster Chen Xiao Xing teaching sword form in Chen Jia Gou

The Chen Village sword form is a beautiful and elegant weapon routine. It helps develop the unusual silk reeling quality used in Chen style Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan). Because this weapon is light, the footwork emphasized is light, fast, and nimble.

Techniques found in the routine include “zha” (downward thrust), “dian” (pointing with a flick of the wrist), “mo” (cutting levelly or obliquely upward), “pi” (chop), “ci” ( thrust levelly or upward), “tiao” (split from bottom to top), “li” (split from top to bottom), and “tui tuo” (pushing away and lifting).

First Section

  1. Yu Bei Shi – Preparation Form
  2. Tai Ji Jian Chu Shi – Tai Ji Single Sword Opening
  3. Chao Yang Jian – Homage to the Sun
  4. Xian Ren Zhi Lu – The Immortal Points the Way
  5. Qing Long Chu Shei – The Blue Dragon Comes Out of the Water
  6. Hu Xi Jian – Protect the Heart
  7. Bi Men Shi – Close the Door
  8. Qing Long Chu Shei – The Blue Dragon Comes Out of the Water
  9. Fan Shen Xia Pi Jian – Turn Around and Chop Downward
  10. Qing Long Zhuan Shen – The Blue Dragon Turns Over
  11. Xie Fei Shi – Slant Flying
  12. Zhan Chi Dian Tou – Spread the Wings, Nod the Head

Second Section

  1. Bo Cao Xun She – Pull the Grass in Search of the Snake
  2. Jin Ji Du Li – The Golden Cock Stands Alone
  3. Xian Ren Zhi Lu – The Immortal Points the Way
  4. Gan Lan Shi – Cover and Block
  5. Gu Shu Pan Gen – The Ancient Tree Entwines Its Roots
  6. E Hu Pu Shi – The Hungry Tiger Attacks for Food
  7. Qing Long Bai Wei – The Blue Dragon Sways Its Tail
  8. Dao Juan Hong – Turn the Arm Backwards
  9. Ye Ma Tiao Jian – The Wild Horse Leaps Over the Brook
  10. Bai She Tu Xin – The White Snake Thrusts Its Tongue
  11. Wu Long Bai Wei – The Black Dragon Sways Its Tail
  12. Zhong Kui Zhang Jian – Zhong Kwei Wields the Sword
  13. Luo Han Xiang Long – The Arahat Subdues the Dragon
  14. Hei Xiong Fan Bei – The Black Bear Rolls Over Its Back

Third Section

  1. Yan Zi Zhuo Ni – The Swallow Pecks the Soil
  2. Bai She Tu Xin – The White Snake Thrusts Its Tongue
  3. Xie Fei Shi – Slant Flying
  4. Ying Xiong Dou Zhi – The Eagle and the Bear Vie with Their Wits
  5. Yan Zi Zhuo Ni – The Swallow Pecks the Soil
  6. Zhai Xing Huan Dou – Pluck the Stars and Change the Constellations
  7. Zhai Di Lao Yue – Scoop Up the Moon from the Bottom of the Sea
  8. Xian Ren Zhi Lu – The Immortal Points the Way
  9. Feng Huang Dian Tou – The Phoenix Nods Its Head
  10. Yan Zi Zhou Ni – The Swallow Pecks the Soil
  11. Bai She Tu Xin – The White Snake Thrusts Its Tongue

Fourth Section

  1. Xie Fei Shi – Slant Flying
  2. Zuo Tuo Qian Jin – The Left Side Holds Up a Thousand Pounds
  3. You Tuo Qian jin – The Right Side Holds Up a Thousand Pounds
  4. Yan Zi Zhuo ni – The Swallow Pecks the Soil
  5. Bai Yuan Xian Guo – The White Ape Offers Fruits
  6. Luo Hua Shi – The Falling Flowers
  7. Shang Xia Xie Ci – Thrust Slantwise Up and Down
  8. Xie Fei Shi – Slant Flying
  9. Na Zha Tan Hai – Na Zha Explores the Sea
  10. Guai Mang Fan Shen – The Monstrous Serpent Turns Over
  11. Wei Tuo Xian Chu – Wei Tuo Offers the Pestle
  12. Mo Pan Jian – Grinding Disk Sword
  13. Shou Shi – Closing the Form

Chen Xiao Wang performing Jian form