Four Widely-used Weapons

The four major weapons - sabre, spear, sword and cudgel - have been widely used by Kung Fu masters since ancient times in different styles of martial arts. They are also the main weapons in current Kung Fu competitions.

(1) Sword

The sword is called the "gentleman of all weapons". It is the most widely used of all weapons and its influence goes beyond the field of Kung Fu. Every school of Kung Fu uses the sword as the basic weapon for rigorous training. Sword play in China was first seen in sacrificial offerings to gods or ancestors. It is now one of the major competitive events in Kung Fu competition today. Sword play is brisk, agile, graceful and natural in action. The movements are flexible, as well as variable. Attention is paid to both motion and stillness. There are many techniques in sword play. The main techniques include hitting, piercing, pointing, lifting, jumping and leaping, hanging, chopping, floating, poking, sweeping, wrestling, blocking, and wiping. These actions, combined with body movements and footsteps, form various routines of sword play. The popular styles include Taiji, Wudang, Bodhi-dharma, Longxing, Sancai, Qingping, Baxian (Eight-Immortals), Mantis, Lianhuan, Drunkard and Xingyi. The Chinese Physical Culture and Sports Commission has also worked out new routines for competition and physical exercises.

(2) Sabre
Sabre is called the marshal of all weapons. It is one pf the most used weapons in Chinese Kung Fu. According to the shape and size, it is divided into short-hilted sabre, twin short-hilted sabre, sabre, nine-ring sabre ( named as nine rings on the handle ), broad sword, long-bladed short-hilted sabre and others. The main techniques of sabre play include chopping, hacking, cutting, pricking, lifting, poking, winding, blocking, pushing and knocking. When you have sabre practice, the cooperation between the sabre and the hands is very important. Sabre play calls for rigorous training and constant practice. The sabre and the body must also be consistent. The main routines of sabre play include Panlong (coil dragon), Bagua (eight-diagrams), Qinglong (green dragon), Miao Sabre, Nine-Ring sabre, Liuhe (6 combination), Shaolin Twin sabres, Taiji, Yexing (night travel), Meihua (plum blossom), Drunkard sabre and monkey sabre. Sabre play demonstrates hardness and powerfulness, but not always. In defence and dodging actions, suppleness is needed.

(3) Spear
The spear is called the king of all weapons. There are different types of spear, such as carefully designed and delicately made "flowery spear", thick and bold spear, double-head spear with blades on both sides. The spear was the major military weapon in ancient times. The main characteristics of spear play are flexibility in body movements, lightness and agility in footwork, quickness and steadiness in turns and somersaults. The movements are clear and the tricks are practical.The basic techniques of spear play include pricking, thrusting, circling, blocking, pointing, poking, holding and wringing. When you practise, you are advised to hold the spear firmly and flexibly, advance and retreat freely and smoothly, pricking the opponent quickly and directly, with the force on the point of the spear. This is one of the important basic skills in spear play. When you hold the spear, it must be close to your waist for support so that you can exert your force easily. In all routines of spear play, the point of the spear moves in a circle, which is regarded as the fundamental of all styles of spear play and requires hard practice. The main routines include Bagua (eight-diagram), Luihe (6 combination), Double-head, Yueya (crescent), Meihua (plum blossom), Shewei (snake-tail), Yang family, Siping and Big spear play as well.

(4) Cudgel
The cudgel is called the "father of all weapons" meaning all other weapons were developed from it. Cudgel play lays stress on a sweeping action. Some tricks employed for other weapons (such as spear and sabre) can also be used in cudgel play. there are many methods of playing the cudgel. Among the most commonly used are chopping, swinging, jabbing, hanging, jumping, leaping, smashing, pointing, blocking, sheltering, holding, piercing, floating, carrying, poking and lifting. The different schools of cudgel play have different emphasis. The main routines include Qimei, Shaolin, Panlong (coiled dragon), Jiuzhou (9 continent), Luihe (6 combination), Tianqi, Bhodi-dharma, Monkey and Drunkard. Cudgels are mostly made of wood but some are made of metal. In addition to long cudgels, there are two-section cudgel and three-section cudgel.

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