Weapons of Ancient China - Sharp
Cutting, Chopping, Slitting, Stabbing, Slicing and dicing.

On this page . . .

You will discover about Ancient and Traditional Chinese Weapons that are sharp, not just swords but excluding spears and the like but including long handled broadswords, like the Kwandao below ↡

Why did Shaolin Train Weaponry?

There is more of an explanation on the Blunt weapon and intro pages. But in essence, for training and to learn to defend bare-handed against weapons.

Overview

Although this group of weapons has the largest variety it all comes down to just three actions;

1. Cutting or slicing like a piece of bread (which is usually a curved sword (which often can also pierce if not too curved),
2. Piercing or stabbing like popping a Balloon (which is usually with a straight blade, which can also cut but is not really made for it).
3. Chopping like an axe.

Long vs Short

Many define bladed weapons in long or short but this is a very simple and flawed definition. We define five different lengths

1. ~Hand and Wrist length: usual Knives, Needle Knives, Butterfly Swords, Tanto, Axe and Character Weapons.
2. ~Hand and forearm length: Wakizashi, Machetes, Gladius, and Axe
3. ~Arm (and hand) length: Epee, Broad Sword, Katana, Great Axe and Spear)
4. Shorter than a human: Long Sword, Odachi, Long Handled Broad Sword, Two Handed Broad Sword, Daidao, Spear, Short Halberds.
5. Longer than a human: Halberd, Gi, Kawandao, Spear.

Not really an extensive list but enough for us to adequately define the three actions, Cutting (ie curved blade), Stabbing (ie. straight blade), and Chopping (axe), in five lengths. An example of a famous Great Sword or Halberd is General Kwan's Dao, Kwandao as in our video ⇒ ⇒ ⇒

Understanding the dangers and limitation of each is essential to your ability to defend against such weaponed attacks. Okay, you may not ever have to face a great sword or Kwandao, but you may face weapons that can be concealed around the body, including a Katana or machete as often heard in the news. If you have trained such a weapon, and learned to defend against it. If in a controlled training environment you faced off against a partner attacking you with such a weapon, you, at least, will be in familiar territory, and probably make smarter choices. You will see if the person is familiar with the weapon or likely to hurt themselves. You will know if it is useful to put an obstacle between you and the person, like a vehicle, light post, bollard and how to go about it. This allow you to control your freeze, fight or flight instinct safely.

If you never have to confront a weaponed attacker, good. Weapons training also build your confidence, fitness, posture, breathing, balance, and well being. As you see in the video, we are not a military 1, 2, 3, hop-to-it style, but a temple style where we laugh a lot, even when sparring. Actually, that is where we have the most fun!

So, what good is weaponry training? Much the same as any other fitness and well-being training except with the benefit of building confidence and learning a real life skill.

Help us maintain this information, videos and WEB site with a yearly donation and receive direct access to Grand master Robert Z with most any questions relating to health, wellbeing, and martial arts.

Important Notice

The Victorian Government has introduced laws to target knife crime. From 22 August 2010 you can be searched for knives in a public place anywhere, anytime, with and without notice. If you are 16 and over and get caught carrying a controlled weapon such as a knife, you face an on the spot fine of $1,000, or you may have to go to court and face a fine of over $14,000 or one year imprisonment. This penalty is doubled if you are inside or within 20 meters of a pub, club or bar. From 1 January 2011 If you are under 18 you will no longer able to buy any type of knife, including kitchen knives or knives for school or work. To do so is against the law and you will face a $239 on the spot fine, or you could face court and a fine of over $1,400. Anyone who knowingly sells a knife or other controlled weapon to a minor faces a fine of over $2,300. Details and link at the bottom of this page. Victoria Police - Our Services - Weapons WEB page.

We are happy to hear from you and answer you martial art, health and developmental questions. If you wish to train with us, the first 3 sessions are free. It is best to try these before making any commitment. If you have any other questions or would lust like to explore some possibilities, you can;

• Call us between 11am and 5pm, Tuesday to Friday & Sunday on 0458 742 654 that is 0458 SHAOLIn
• e-mail us at the Shaolin Academy
• Drop into any of our venues at least 30 minutes before class start.
• Or in a special case, you can also arrange a personal meeting with Master Robert Z. You can call him on 0458 742 654 (0458 SHAOLIn).

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