We practice the sword form because it helps us to understand footwork and real time movement, large circles and the relation of mind to direction and intent. The sword extends the "straight within the curved" in a fashion that makes error easy to notice and correctness easy to feel. We also practice this form because its movements, when practiced with principle and natural ease, are very beautiful.
The Sword Dance of a Pupil of Madam Gongsung
There lived years ago a beautiful woman called Madam Gongsung
Who, dancing with her sword, drew from all
Four quarters an audience,
Like mountains lost among themselves
Heaven and Earth breathed her rhythms,
Her flashing swoop was like the nine suns
Whirling from the sky, transfixed
On the Great Archer’s arrows.
Her soaring flight was like angels driven
before the wings of dragons.
Her dance began like the rolling thunders
Gathering up in dreadful rage.
Her dance ended like the shining calm of a
Mighty river or ocean regaining its shiny reflection.
Tu Fu, Tang Dynasty
“The feminine energy can be devastating, but she is so ‘subtle’ that many women do not perceive it and insist on fighting like men.”
Hu Shu Ming, swordswoman
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