The True Forge

[buddhapalm]

Hi Guys,
A few months ago I was remembering the harshness of my late Sifu...Sifu Louie Kong Fey. I wrote a little proverb while thinking about him while sipping my Turkish coffee. I hope some of you may enjoy it...........

THE TRUE FORGE

When searching for the sword of unbreakable steel. Look for the swordsmith who hammers the steel without mercy, who heats the steel almost to melting point, then drops it into the shocking cold water. Look for the swordsmith who continually pounds the blade, continiously bending and reshaping the rough bar, then polishing it into a sharp mirror. For this swordsmith loves his blade, he squeezes out imperfections with his loving wrath.

The swordsmith who has no strength, cannot swing the hammer hard enough, cannot heat the fire to the right degree. The swordsmith with a weak heart and mind cannot punish the blade and force it through the rigours of purification. He himself has not been purified. His gentleness allows weaknesses in the blade to remain, too timid to take them out, they fester, until in the stress of battle, the blade cracks.

Seek the swordsmith who exudes strength, wisdom, experience and most importantly ferociousness of spirit and ruthlessnes of strike. For this swordmakers sword will not melt at any heat and will not crack on any contact of enemy's blades.

The blade reflects the maker as a mirror.

Buddhapalm
2-4-02

[rael]

Very nice, I will look at my sword collection in a new light. If it makes me poetic I shall start drinking Turkish coffee from now on. heh heh.

Rael

[buddhapalm]

Hi Rael,
Nothing beats a good 5 am Turkish coffee for bringing out the poetry in you, sure as hell wakes you up if nothing else.

Maybe we can start a philosophy club, hey Gene howabout starting a philoshopy/Chinese spirituality forum section. People could enter their thoughts, questions or realizations........or do you think it may be too controversial, but then again, nothing is more controversial than (us) Shaolin fanatics :-)))

What do you say Gene ?

I think a little more philosophy would add a little balance to the place. I know we have the "Qigong and Meditation Forum", but it seems oriented mainly to the subdivision of Tai Chi or Taoist arts, perhaps a seperate Chinese Philosophy section would invite thoughts from all corners.

A Shaolin/Wudang Beatnic Turkish coffee house.

I think it would be great.

Cheers

Buddhapalm

[r.(shaolin)]

Nice.
There is a thought brothers.

[buddhapalm]

Hi R.
Wow, 100 times, it probably cut through the other swords like a chainsaw. This is probably where legends of magic swords come from, that cut through rocks, mountains and small army's in one slice. I think there was a legend of some famous evil king/general that could behead 1000 enemy's in one draw of the sword.

Do you know if the Japanese blades were forged that many times ?

Have fun at the anvil. I think I can hear the clanking from here.


Cheers my friends

Buddhapalm

[CraneFist]

Just wanted to know where you get information on swords in general. I would like to one day purchase a good sword when I start training the Dao. I have done a little research on the net, and have got some useful information from the people at www.chinesearms.com. I do plan on spending up to $1000, as it would be nice to train with an authentic sword, but I know that there are very clever fakes out there. Any information you can give me would be appreciated.

Cheers.

[buddhapalm]

Cranefist,

Regarding real swords.

You may be able to contact my friend Jan at precolumbian@yahoo.com he used to import Chinese swords, perhaps he can get you one. Specify with him what you want, ie an authentic jian/dao. He can get you a mountain of fakes or a real one. He is honest and accepts a money back policy. He travels back and forth from China to USA frequently.

I have a two handed saber that is just awesome, he sold it to me at a good price and it is the real thing, rusted, balanced, flexible and has the "air of death" so to speak.

There are other dealers, but they will charge you a very high price. Jan may charge you $300 to $1000 perhaps for an authentic one, as opposed to $1200 and up with others I have noticed. If he is still in the business you may want to contact him and ask him to e-mail you some photo's.

Handling the swords is the best, but since you are in Canada it will be hard for you to do so with any dealer, so a money back guarantee deal with inspection period would be the best.

Sorry to throw commercialism into the forum, but I could not find your e-mail address.

I hope this helps a little.



Regarding my poem; I hope all Kung Fu teachers can be like the swordmaker of the True Forge.

Cheers

Buddhapalm

[NorthernShaolin]

Buddhapalm,

Do you have this poem THE TRUE FORGE in Chinese? If so I would like to have a copy.

[buddhapalm]

Dear NorthernShaolin,
I do not have a copy of this in Chinese unfortunately. Actually I put it together a month or so ago, after thinking about my late Sifu, who, as you know was quite harsh in his ways. The loving harshness of the old-school.

I hope you enjoy it.

I know your students wont :-)))

I feel that it is general human nature to resist critisism, to resist bitterness, to feel picked on. But as you know, when we come out of the fire, we are transformed into something other than what we were before walking into the fire.

I also feel that it is hard to be ruthless to those we teach, therefore the poem is a reminder to me, that I must have not one ounce of mercy when I reach the level of a teacher.

Lately I have been thinking a lot about many things and so I find it usefull to write my thoughts down, so I dont forget.

Warmest Regards

Buddhapalm

[richard sloan]

have always amazed me- several of the more famous Japanese sword smiths created blades with uncountable laminations- and not only that, but they were also able to sandwhich steels which were of varying hardness, allowing the blade the flexibility to bend under the duress of combat yet retain it's edge. Another interesting note about the Japanese swords were the fittings- I wonder how many famous blades have escaped scrutiny through the ages their glory hidden... I once held a sword used to take out cavalry, it was very old, a samurai family going waaaaaay back over a thousand years although the sword was probably around 500 yrs old. It was immense, and probably required the use of two men to wield it. Needless to say, I was very impressed, much heavier than what has come to be known as a claymore.

The Japanese were not alone in the understanding of this superior technique- it is parrallelled in europe amongst the very best viking blades which enjoyed similar status and the techniques of creating damascus steel. A few years back I was looking at a damascus bowie knife and to this day I regret not aquiring it.

Great swords took on lives of their own- named, and were thought to almost be alive. We find them mentioned in poetry all the time.

It is a great metaphor you have created in your own poem.

[buddhapalm]

Hi Richard,

Regarding the heavy Japanese sword. I have some friends doing some research on the relationship of the Miao Dao and the large Japanese Katana. This is regarding the period of the Japanese coastal pirates exploits against General Qi JiQuang and vice versa.

We would be most interested in knowing more about this Japanese longsword you mentioned, its history, dimensions and use.

I can be reached at teleka@pacbell.net

Cheers

Buddhapalm

[richard sloan]

I can put you in touch with the family member I know.

I am not sure how willing he would be to talk about it, but it can't hurt to ask.

Some background- I was involved in a fashion streetwear line which was looking to partner with a Japanese company. I was friendly with the nephew of one of the principals of this company. The nephew and the uncle have since had a falling out, with the nephew leaving the company.

The uncle was really the martial art historian of the family, the nephew was more into motorcycles- which is where he wound up.

Email sent.

[The Willow Sword]

dont cut your peck#rs off now boys.

Many respects, The Willow Sword

[The Willow Sword]

Kriscutlery by far makes the most affordable and really nice chinese straight swords. i have one of thier swords and it is very nice to work with.


if you are interested in investing some real money on a real combat weapon then i suggest that you go and visit angelsword.com they make by far the best full working weapons. they are expensive though.


Many Respects,,,The Willow Sword