Gripping the Jian

[MightyB]

I've heard conflicting info about gripping the jian.

Some say to grip tightly with the thumb and index finger and loosely with the remaining fingers,

some say to grip loosely with the index and middle fingers and tightly with ring and pinky.

Which is correct?

[David Jamieson]

Is this a euphemism?

[MightyB]

Is this a euphemism?

LOL, no I'm being serious.

I've been like a ronin doing things my own way for like 10 years and may have developed some bad habits I'm looking to correct.

[David Jamieson]

Sword is to keep the hand relaxed with index finger touching thumb but not pressing hard or tightly. Touching.

The other fingers are relaxed but ready to retain or command the sword at the slightest motion or touch.

[MightyB]

Sword is to keep the hand relaxed with index finger touching thumb but not pressing hard or tightly. Touching.

The other fingers are relaxed but ready to retain or command the sword at the slightest motion or touch.

Thanks. I haven't practiced Jian in quite a long time and it's amazing how fast you forget the little things. I'm looking to start back up with it - so starting with day 1 tonight, there should only be 9999 before I get the basics down.

[lkfmdc]

first you must learn to braid the dan dao

then to put pork on the altar

only then can you learn to grip the jian

[lkfmdc]

Only on this forum did I know I wud find these posts just by reading the title of the thread, lol

did you now?

[David Jamieson]

Thanks. I haven't practiced Jian in quite a long time and it's amazing how fast you forget the little things. I'm looking to start back up with it - so starting with day 1 tonight, there should only be 9999 before I get the basics down.

Well, asides from forms, there are main guiding principles to a sword.

With a double edge it tends to stick to four paths/principles and they are:

1) Thrust (think push)
2) Draw (think slicing across action)
3) Flip (think clock hand moving)
4) Rotate (think turn the wrist like a screwdriver)

Then there are ranges and levels(height, not guru/student etc)of application of these.
Also, there are some more refined moves like Tapping and lifting.

Tapping is the overhand of sword work. Whereby you tap the closet target (generally the other swordsman's wrists) with your longest reach.

Lifting is doing a similar motion but from below. There are other refinements beyond these as well, but those are the "big" basics.

[lkfmdc]

Smack it up, flip it, rub it down, oh, no

[MightyB]

Smack it up, flip it, rub it down, oh, no

Boy, that escalated quickly. I mean, that really got out of hand fast!

[bawang]

I've heard conflicting info about gripping the jian.

Some say to grip tightly with the thumb and index finger and loosely with the remaining fingers,

some say to grip loosely with the index and middle fingers and tightly with ring and pinky.

Which is correct?

have u sparred wit it

[MightyB]

have u sparred wit it

not yet - I have to relearn the basics and then I'm looking to pick up a pair of those polypropylene swords that have come out recently so I can spar. I figure at least one of my old kung fu buddies will be up to the challenge when I move back to my hometown next month.

especially if I buy the equipment

[MightyB]

I'm thinking about taking my shirt off when I practice so I can post a pic in the sword hotties thread.

[bawang]

u need to get a wooden post and smack it with a stick. its basic training.

[jdhowland]

u need to get a wooden post and smack it with a stick. its basic training.

Oh, please don't go there.


Medial side flexion allows for rolling the wrist and slicing as well as ci. Ulnar side flexion allows you to accelerate the point for pek and "dotting."

Hitting the post isn't such a bad idea after all. Even if it isn't jian technique it conditions the hand and wrist for a good grip.