Seven Star's Big Broadsword Form
I found some pictures of a Big Broadsword Form practiced in the Seven Star Praying Mantis lineage. I wanted to ask if this form looked legitimate or not.
http://www.martialartmantis.com/thebigbroadsword.html
It is interesting to note that on his website, there are pictures of him "practicing with the Japanese sword." From the pictures, the form seems very Japanese, probably contrived by the Sifu himself.
Any opinions? Does anybody here practice with such a weapon?
Miao Dao/ Katana/ Sern Sao Do
TC4E,
It does indeed look like a Katana form. However I hasten to add that Master Chow is in good company indeed by including the techniques if not the weapon in his practice.
Ming Dynasty General Qi Jiguang (1528-1587) is famous for capturing a couple of thousand Japanese swordsmen, (pirates) and interviewing them for their sword techniques, (tourture). The result was the Miao Dao. My conversations with Chinese sword historians finds that they regard the Miao Dao as a Chinese/Japanese weapon and the Zha Ma Dao as more of a pure Chinese weapon in terms of a Chinese two-handed sword. The history of the Sern Sao Do (aka Da Dao) is linked by many to the Zha Ma Dao though I have heard arguements that those techniques borrowed from Japanese swordsmanship also.
I guess those of Sifu Chow's line would have to enlighten us as the the inclusion of the Katana in their practice and the role it plays as either a stand alone weapon or as cross training for the other more traditional Chinese weapons.
Hope it helps,
Steve Cottrell
Ching Wu Two Handed Saber
Dear MantissifuFW,
Could you tell me more about this lost two handed saber form from Ching Wu. Do you know its name ? Any other info about it.
My system has a two handed saber form that is very very likely from the Ching Wu Society of Canton in around 1920's. Probably about a 50% chance that it is. I am still conducting my research on the matter, but any knowledge you have of this and any other 1920/30's Ching wu material would be most appreciated.
Cheers
Buddhapalm
teleka@pacbell.net
Possible Ching Wu Connection
Dear MantissifuFW,
No guarantee that it is from Ching Wu for sure, but I have a strong belief it may be.
My Sigung learned from Ma Kin Fung of the Lohan Moon style in Canton back in the 1930's. Ma Kin Fung learned Lohan Moon from Sun Yu Fung in the Keung Wah Ching Wu in Canton.
My Sigung (Dea Bak Do) learned from Ma Kin Fung, yet only 3 forms in our system are found in other branches of Ma Kin Fungs followers. Also I have an old photo of my Sigung wearing a Ching wu style white kung fu jacket ... but without the patch. So I am guessing that much of my forms come from pre-1940's Ching Wu. Either he learned it directly, or he learned indirectly from Ma Kin Fung.
Our two handed saber form is called "Chun Wong Dao" or in English Emperor Chun's (Chun Chi Wongs) Saber.
We also have:
Erlang Quan, Wu Song Breaks Chains, Flower Fist, Roc Fist, Angry Waves Fist (Kong Lahn Fist), Wind Demon Fist (Fung Mor Kuen), Big Buddha Palm, Eight Gate Pole, Eight Gate Saber, Clear Wind Guan Dao (Ching Fung Dai Dao), Seven Star Word, Moon Tooth Shovel, Luk Hap Plum Blossom Spear, Luk Hap Yin Yang Pole, Shaolin Secret Pole (AKA Earth Demon Pole).
Please let me know if any of these names coincide with any names you stumble upon in your path.
Kindest Regards
Buddhapalm