TRADITIONAL WEAPON FORMS

Wu Mei Pai contains training in all eighteen of the classical Chinese weapons. Each weapon has its’ own unique characteristics which we as practitioners must understand and adapt to. The following are the most widely used in the Kung Fu world:

The Broadsword (Do) is a single edge cutting weapon which moves freely through the air. It both leads the body and follows it.

The Staff (Kwan) is long (6ft), hard, resilient and straight, formed from the heart of a sapling tree. It is powered by three points of contact, (both hands and the body) and by sliding the hands along the shaft. The staff is played as a single head (use one end mostly) or double head (use both ends equally).

The Spear (Ying Cheurn) is a long thin staff with a double edged sword attached to its’ head. It is the considered “queen” if the long weapons. The lessons and skills learned in its’ use are of an advanced nature. The shaft is deformed by complex spiraling forces generated by the body and hands, creating an energetically “live” weapon. Few can play the Spear to its’ potential.

The Straight Sword (Gim) is considered the “Queen” of the short weapons. It is an internal weapon in which circles, turns and spirals begin in the energy centers of the body and radiate into the sword. Cutting is done on both sides of the sword and in both the push and pull stroke. The body must become flexible and supple like a dragon or a snake.

The Three Sectional Staff (Sahm Ji Kwan) was invented to defeat single or double swords, staffs and spears. It uses single , double or triple moving shafts to disarm, parry and attack weapon players in surprising, covert and formless ways. Exceptional hand, body and eye coordination is necessary to play this weapon.

These weapons must be mastered in order to compete in International Chinese Martial Art Competitions.