Great to hear it was helpful. One note, this Treatise was penned by Rodell Laoshi, however this principle is common to the Chinese Sword Arts regardless of style or lineage.
In historical Italian saber fencing this is called flying parries. They are very effective. I've always liked your videos. I wish I lived in your area, I'd be delighted to show you a few variations. Great stuff! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. You are very generous and sincere.
Really interesting, these same concepts exist in the old European treatises as you say. In the Italian like Fiore, we would say breaking it up into two actions (deflect and then cut) would be 'due tempi', literally two tempo. We can cut down our actions into smaller and smaller movements the better and better we get. These are almost identical to the winding actions in many of the rapier/sidesword treatises of the 1500s. Very cool to see as a HEMA instructor!
And you're absolutely right about plagiarism - you will see dozens of German treatises copy Johannes Lichtenauer word for word just to show that they're well read haha. Joachim Meyer's entire system is based on interpretations of Lichtenauer's work.
Very educational video, it reminds me of kenjutsu where the goal is to control the gate or centerline and lead the opponent to your rhythm, putting them in a passive state where they must respond to you. I remember a good advice I learned a long time ago was to try and keep your swordtip pointed at the opponent or at least in their general direction whenever you parry or deflect their sword so you are always threatening them.
In a previous video you mentioned that jians did flat parries based on the lack of edge damage. How common were disk guards on jians? Based on the classic guard, flat parries seem riskier and should be relegated for specific second intentions rather than the norm.
Concerning deflecting with the blade flat, while there are a very few who contend that there was edge parrying in Chinese Sword Arts, those who suggest this will have to explain how there is no physical evidence, none of the typical edge damage that results from consistent or regular edge parrying on period Chinese swords? On numerous occasions, I've explained how I have been fortunate to handle over 3,000 period Chinese blades. None of these swords show the kind of edge damage seen on European blades that resulted from edge parrying. Given the total lack of physical evidence of edge parrying on period Chinese Swords, the only sensible, logical conclusion is that it did not occur in any fashion that could be considered orthodox. And indeed, the traditional teaching of Chinese Sword Arts is to deflect with the blade flat. Therefore, the lack of edge damage is not peculiar, but expected. As for your second question, yes, some Chinese jian were mounted with disk guards. Judging from existing period examples and swords depicted in period Chinese paintings, such guards were more popular during the Ming period and don’t appear to ever have been particuarly popular. In my experience, this lack of a disk guard does not result in a much greater risk in cuts to the hand in those properly trained in blade flat deflections in the Chinese Sword Arts. Though obviously a disk guard does provide better protection.
Thanks for the insight. How would you compare this mind set of singularity versus the idea of being in the moment, or no mind? I have experienced being in the moment just once in my life. That was while playing volleyball! Only for a minute or so, but so exhilarating!
One is certainly in the moment, the mind clear of thoughts when in this state of non-duality where one feels literally connected to the duifang even when not in physical contact. However, we should differential various states of being in the moment. One can be completely present in the moment, simply being. The state I referred to here is one where there is something inside of the emptiness. That being a purpose, the intending to move with the force aimed at you sending in back seamlessly. I hope this is helpful. If I only "muddied the waters," please let me know and I will endeavor to make them less so.
@@DAVID-io9nj, no worries brother. It is tricky at the very least, to compare states of mind. How does one put this sort of altered or mind intent that is so different from the usual everyday check book mind, into words. And how who does any one individual know if what he or she means by "X" is the same idea or experience someone else has had just because both are making use of the same or similar terms?
For More Notes and Commentary from Rodell Laoshi, please see: facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10154256264317076&set=a.148138177075
Sifu, thank you. I don't use the sword but your words and the explain, demonstration is helpful for empty hand and other weapons. Thank you.
Great Video! We’ve been working on these ideas. We’re hosting Rodell Laoshi in CT, 9/21-22, at AiPing Tai Chi.
Thanks for Organizing Rodell Laoshi's Seminar. I know he appreciates your support!
Once again, another great, and very helpful video!
Excellent lesson as usual. This really helps one to understand a critical fundamental of your style!!
Great to hear it was helpful. One note, this Treatise was penned by Rodell Laoshi, however this principle is common to the Chinese Sword Arts regardless of style or lineage.
In historical Italian saber fencing this is called flying parries. They are very effective. I've always liked your videos. I wish I lived in your area, I'd be delighted to show you a few variations. Great stuff! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. You are very generous and sincere.
Seeing the demonstration of the sword against your rounded arms really helped me visualize how I ought to be deflecting. Thanks for that!
⚔️ Excellent! See you in San Diego…
You're doing a great job with Sam getting thing rolling in SoCal, thanks!
Really interesting, these same concepts exist in the old European treatises as you say. In the Italian like Fiore, we would say breaking it up into two actions (deflect and then cut) would be 'due tempi', literally two tempo. We can cut down our actions into smaller and smaller movements the better and better we get.
These are almost identical to the winding actions in many of the rapier/sidesword treatises of the 1500s. Very cool to see as a HEMA instructor!
And you're absolutely right about plagiarism - you will see dozens of German treatises copy Johannes Lichtenauer word for word just to show that they're well read haha. Joachim Meyer's entire system is based on interpretations of Lichtenauer's work.
Very educational video, it reminds me of kenjutsu where the goal is to control the gate or centerline and lead the opponent to your rhythm, putting them in a passive state where they must respond to you. I remember a good advice I learned a long time ago was to try and keep your swordtip pointed at the opponent or at least in their general direction whenever you parry or deflect their sword so you are always threatening them.
In a previous video you mentioned that jians did flat parries based on the lack of edge damage. How common were disk guards on jians? Based on the classic guard, flat parries seem riskier and should be relegated for specific second intentions rather than the norm.
Concerning deflecting with the blade flat, while there are a very few who contend that there was edge parrying in Chinese Sword Arts, those who suggest this will have to explain how there is no physical evidence, none of the typical edge damage that results from consistent or regular edge parrying on period Chinese swords? On numerous occasions, I've explained how I have been fortunate to handle over 3,000 period Chinese blades. None of these swords show the kind of edge damage seen on European blades that resulted from edge parrying. Given the total lack of physical evidence of edge parrying on period Chinese Swords, the only sensible, logical conclusion is that it did not occur in any fashion that could be considered orthodox. And indeed, the traditional teaching of Chinese Sword Arts is to deflect with the blade flat. Therefore, the lack of edge damage is not peculiar, but expected.
As for your second question, yes, some Chinese jian were mounted with disk guards. Judging from existing period examples and swords depicted in period Chinese paintings, such guards were more popular during the Ming period and don’t appear to ever have been particuarly popular.
In my experience, this lack of a disk guard does not result in a much greater risk in cuts to the hand in those properly trained in blade flat deflections in the Chinese Sword Arts. Though obviously a disk guard does provide better protection.
My training partners and I regularly spar using deflections with the flat. Doing so has never resulted in cuts to our hands.
@@sdhikerdude Excellent, another "proof of concept."
Thanks for the insight. How would you compare this mind set of singularity versus the idea of being in the moment, or no mind? I have experienced being in the moment just once in my life. That was while playing volleyball! Only for a minute or so, but so exhilarating!
One is certainly in the moment, the mind clear of thoughts when in this state of non-duality where one feels literally connected to the duifang even when not in physical contact. However, we should differential various states of being in the moment. One can be completely present in the moment, simply being. The state I referred to here is one where there is something inside of the emptiness. That being a purpose, the intending to move with the force aimed at you sending in back seamlessly.
I hope this is helpful. If I only "muddied the waters," please let me know and I will endeavor to make them less so.
@@scottm.rodellgrtc2969 Thanks. I suspected it was a different "mind set"
@@DAVID-io9nj, no worries brother. It is tricky at the very least, to compare states of mind. How does one put this sort of altered or mind intent that is so different from the usual everyday check book mind, into words. And how who does any one individual know if what he or she means by "X" is the same idea or experience someone else has had just because both are making use of the same or similar terms?
Great content, some of my favorite lessons from you.
Thanks, I hope it helps with your swordplay...
Letting the thief in.
Ok, but let him in too much and he stabs you xD.