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3. The Special Skills of Taiji Dao
Basically Taiji Dao skills include two major parts. One is skills of the sword, that
means how to use the sword. The other is skills of the body, which includes the
empty hand skills, steps and stances, kicks, and body movement methods. These
skills are about how to assist our sword skills, integrating our whole body with the
weapon.
In some cases, skills that use different parts of our sword have the same name
because the principles on which they are based are the same or very similar. It is
important to recognize and understand the specific factors that distinguish these
skills.
3.1 Sword skills
Taiji Dao includes many sword skills. Some are general skills, some can only be
used in special cases, and some are just designed to defend against special
weapons. The different parts of the sword are used for different skills.
(1) The Head of Sword
Basically Taiji Dao skills include two major parts. One is skills of the sword, that
means how to use the sword. The other is skills of the body, which includes the
empty hand skills, steps and stances, kicks, and body movement methods. These
skills are about how to assist our sword skills, integrating our whole body with the
weapon.
In some cases, skills that use different parts of our sword have the same name
because the principles on which they are based are the same or very similar. It is
important to recognize and understand the specific factors that distinguish these
skills.
3.1 Sword skills
Taiji Dao includes many sword skills. Some are general skills, some can only be
used in special cases, and some are just designed to defend against special
weapons. The different parts of the sword are used for different skills.
(1) The Head of Sword
Figure 6: Basic Taiji Dao skill – thrust
Dian is a downward strike using the tip of the sword to pierce a small point on
the opponent’s body. Beng, a strike upward with the tip of the sword, is the
opposite of dian. They are quick but not hard skills. The movements required for
dian and beng are small and usually involves only a quick flick of the wrist.
Hua is to use the tip of the sword to slice or make a linear cut on the target. It is
a quick but not a particularly powerful movement.
Liao is an upward cut that can be either forceful or light. In liao, the sword is
swung forward and up to make a curved cut to the target. To do liao, either
sharpened edge can be used to create the same upward cut.
Both tiao and huo combine a thrust and an upward cut. Tiao is a thrust with an
upward slice. It is important that the thrust and slice be smoothly connected to form
a single movement. Huo requires first that the tip of the sword be thrust into the
target and then pulled quickly upward and backward to rip the target in a curved
cut. The thrust and rip skills must be integrated into one smooth movement.
the opponent’s body. Beng, a strike upward with the tip of the sword, is the
opposite of dian. They are quick but not hard skills. The movements required for
dian and beng are small and usually involves only a quick flick of the wrist.
Hua is to use the tip of the sword to slice or make a linear cut on the target. It is
a quick but not a particularly powerful movement.
Liao is an upward cut that can be either forceful or light. In liao, the sword is
swung forward and up to make a curved cut to the target. To do liao, either
sharpened edge can be used to create the same upward cut.
Both tiao and huo combine a thrust and an upward cut. Tiao is a thrust with an
upward slice. It is important that the thrust and slice be smoothly connected to form
a single movement. Huo requires first that the tip of the sword be thrust into the
target and then pulled quickly upward and backward to rip the target in a curved
cut. The thrust and rip skills must be integrated into one smooth movement.
(2) The Edge of the Sword
Daoren is the edge of the sword most often used. In Taiji Dao, daoren
generally refers to the middle section of the edge, although the reference
sometimes also includes the front edge. Usually, the edge of the sword is
sharpest at the tip and least sharp near the handle. Most edge skills are
related to chopping and cutting. Some of the skills that use daoren are:
Pi, kan, duo, and zhan are the major chopping skills using the daoren. Pi
is a large powerful chop that uses the whole arm. It is usually directly
downward. Kan is a powerful, downward chopping skill similar to pi, except it
uses just the forearm. Also, kan usually follows a diagonal rather than a
straight path toward the target. Duo most commonly means to cut off a small
piece of something. It is a chopping skill used for short-distance strikes,
accomplished by a quick, powerful movement of the wrist. Zhan is typically a
horizontal chop that moves the sword across a long edge of the target. The
zhan movement can be either big or small, and either quick or powerful.
The distinctions between the main chopping skills are only relative; many
applications involve blending or combining pi, kan, duo, and zhan.
Mo, xiao, jian, hua, and sao are the most common cutting skills using the
edge of the sword. In mo, the edge of the sword touches the target first and
is then pulled to make a cut. Xiao is a slice or light chopping skill that uses a
scooping motion. Jian is a very quick scissoring motion in which the edge of
the sword moves against the target as though to cut or shear off a piece of
it. Hua is a sliding cut skill, commonly used to defend against long weapons,
when it is not possible for us to reach our opponent’s body directly. It
involves initially touching the opponent’s weapon with our sword, then using
hua to stick the sword to his weapon and slide it quickly toward him. The final
goal is usually to cut the opponent’s hand or some other part of his body.
Sao is to sweep the sword around our body in a large circle. Sao can be
used as either a blocking skill or attack skill.
Lan, jie, and jia are some blocking or parrying skills. Lan is a parrying skill
that can originate from any direction. In lan, the edge of the sword blocks or
knocks away the opponent’s weapon. This skill is often used against a
wooden staff or a wood shaft spear. Because lan involves a strike to the
opponent’s weapon with the edge of the sword, it is usually not advisable to
use this skill to block a hard or heavy weapon directly. Not only is the direct
block likely to damage the sword, it also violates the Taiji Quan principle that
cautions against ding, force used directly against another force. Jie is an
intersecting block to the middle of the opponent’s weapon or to his arm. This
is a very common skill because blocking the front of an opponent’s weapon
is usually difficult or impossible, especially when his attack is strong and his
weapon heavy. Jia is an upward block that is both powerful and quick,
usually requiring the use of both hands. It is typically used when two
weapons collide as a result of one using excessive force directly against his
opponent’s weapon. Although it is common and direct skills can be used, this
direct use of force against force is not in accordance with Taiji Quan
principles, so jia rarely employed in Taiji Dao.
Yun means cloud, and this skill involves waving the sword in many
different, random circles as though creating clouds rolling in ahead of a
storm. These circles can be used at any moment for either attack or defense
because they encompass every kind of change. It is a skills commonly used
in urgent and dangerous situations.
Daoren is the edge of the sword most often used. In Taiji Dao, daoren
generally refers to the middle section of the edge, although the reference
sometimes also includes the front edge. Usually, the edge of the sword is
sharpest at the tip and least sharp near the handle. Most edge skills are
related to chopping and cutting. Some of the skills that use daoren are:
Pi, kan, duo, and zhan are the major chopping skills using the daoren. Pi
is a large powerful chop that uses the whole arm. It is usually directly
downward. Kan is a powerful, downward chopping skill similar to pi, except it
uses just the forearm. Also, kan usually follows a diagonal rather than a
straight path toward the target. Duo most commonly means to cut off a small
piece of something. It is a chopping skill used for short-distance strikes,
accomplished by a quick, powerful movement of the wrist. Zhan is typically a
horizontal chop that moves the sword across a long edge of the target. The
zhan movement can be either big or small, and either quick or powerful.
The distinctions between the main chopping skills are only relative; many
applications involve blending or combining pi, kan, duo, and zhan.
Mo, xiao, jian, hua, and sao are the most common cutting skills using the
edge of the sword. In mo, the edge of the sword touches the target first and
is then pulled to make a cut. Xiao is a slice or light chopping skill that uses a
scooping motion. Jian is a very quick scissoring motion in which the edge of
the sword moves against the target as though to cut or shear off a piece of
it. Hua is a sliding cut skill, commonly used to defend against long weapons,
when it is not possible for us to reach our opponent’s body directly. It
involves initially touching the opponent’s weapon with our sword, then using
hua to stick the sword to his weapon and slide it quickly toward him. The final
goal is usually to cut the opponent’s hand or some other part of his body.
Sao is to sweep the sword around our body in a large circle. Sao can be
used as either a blocking skill or attack skill.
Lan, jie, and jia are some blocking or parrying skills. Lan is a parrying skill
that can originate from any direction. In lan, the edge of the sword blocks or
knocks away the opponent’s weapon. This skill is often used against a
wooden staff or a wood shaft spear. Because lan involves a strike to the
opponent’s weapon with the edge of the sword, it is usually not advisable to
use this skill to block a hard or heavy weapon directly. Not only is the direct
block likely to damage the sword, it also violates the Taiji Quan principle that
cautions against ding, force used directly against another force. Jie is an
intersecting block to the middle of the opponent’s weapon or to his arm. This
is a very common skill because blocking the front of an opponent’s weapon
is usually difficult or impossible, especially when his attack is strong and his
weapon heavy. Jia is an upward block that is both powerful and quick,
usually requiring the use of both hands. It is typically used when two
weapons collide as a result of one using excessive force directly against his
opponent’s weapon. Although it is common and direct skills can be used, this
direct use of force against force is not in accordance with Taiji Quan
principles, so jia rarely employed in Taiji Dao.
Yun means cloud, and this skill involves waving the sword in many
different, random circles as though creating clouds rolling in ahead of a
storm. These circles can be used at any moment for either attack or defense
because they encompass every kind of change. It is a skills commonly used
in urgent and dangerous situations.
Figure 7a, 7b: Basic Taiji Dao skill – chop
(3) The Back of the Sword
Daobei – the back of the sword is thick and strong. As a result, it is
commonly used for blocks or hard knocks to the opponent or his weapon.
Also, when the edge of the sword is used, the empty hand or arm can be
placed on the back of the sword to add extra force. Some skills using daobei
are:
Daobei – the back of the sword is thick and strong. As a result, it is
commonly used for blocks or hard knocks to the opponent or his weapon.
Also, when the edge of the sword is used, the empty hand or arm can be
placed on the back of the sword to add extra force. Some skills using daobei
are:
(5) The Root (Ricasso) of the Blade
Daogen – the root of the blade is the strongest part of the sword, and because it is
the part closest to the hand, it can be used for hard, powerful blocks. When using
daogen, the empty hand can always be placed on the sword to add control and
power. Some skills using daogen are:
Ke is a knocking away or jabbing defensive skill in which is a small and quick, yet
powerful skill is used when the opponent’s weapon is already very close. If the
opponent’s weapon is a sword, a hard ke can be used to damage the edge of his
sword as well as to gain control of that weapon.
Ya uses the root of the blade to press down on the opponent’s weapon in order to
control it. Tui uses the root of the blade to gain control of the opponent’s weapon by
pushing it. Daogen provides the strongest leverage for such control. The empty hand
can be used to strengthen the application of ya or tui.
3.2 The Guard Skills
Hushou – The guard of a sword is always designed to protect the hand that holds
it. The Taiji Dao guard is unique in that its special design provides not only protection
but also the means to catch and trap the opponent’s weapon. Some skills using
hushou are:
Dang means to use the guard to block a weapon, usually a short, light weapon like
a jian. If the opponent attacks with a hard, heavy weapon, a direct dang block is risky
and usually not effective.
Na means to hold something and take control. Here, the guard is used to catch the
opponent’s weapon and is then twisted to control the attacking weapon.
3.3 The Ring Skills
Daohuan – the ring at the end of a Taiji Dao can be grasped and manipulated by
the empty hand to assist the main sword hand. Although both hands are used in
these circumstances, ring skills are different from regular two-handed grips. Usually a
two-handed grip adds power at the expense of liveliness and agility. Using the ring
adds less power but retains more nimbleness and control. As opposed to the typically
large movements of two hands in a two-handed grip, ring skills involve small, quick
movements by the rear hand holding the ring, all the while the front hand, on the
handle, remains relatively still.
Compared to one-handed grips, holding the ring with the empty hand in Taiji Dao
yields greater power. Compared to regular two-handed grips, it yields greater
liveliness and agility. Overall, ring grips balance the relative advantages and
disadvantages of other kinds of grips. Some skills using the ring are:
Tui uses the center of the palm of the empty hand to push forward on the ring. The
opposite of tui is la – pulling using the thumb and two or three fingers that are hooked
through the ring. In ti, the sword hand remains relatively still, while the thumb and two
or three fingers of the rear hand are hooked through the ring and pull up on it,
causing the front of the sword to move downward. The opposite of ti is ya - hooking
the thumb and two or three fingers through the ring and pushing down on it, while the
sword hand remains relatively still. The downward push on the ring causes the front of
the sword to move upward. Yao is waving, where the fingers are hooked through the
ring and move it in circles in front of the body. It makes the tip of the sword to circle
through an ever-larger spiral.
Different Taiji Dao skills are used to defend against different types of weapons. The
way different parts of the sword are used can also vary widely depending on the
opponent’s weapon. Even when the same skill and part of the sword are used, the
internal feeling may differ from one situation to another. Because of these
complexities, we should not limit our sword practice to the study of the sword alone.
We should also research the skills required for the proper use of other weapons.
Daogen – the root of the blade is the strongest part of the sword, and because it is
the part closest to the hand, it can be used for hard, powerful blocks. When using
daogen, the empty hand can always be placed on the sword to add control and
power. Some skills using daogen are:
Ke is a knocking away or jabbing defensive skill in which is a small and quick, yet
powerful skill is used when the opponent’s weapon is already very close. If the
opponent’s weapon is a sword, a hard ke can be used to damage the edge of his
sword as well as to gain control of that weapon.
Ya uses the root of the blade to press down on the opponent’s weapon in order to
control it. Tui uses the root of the blade to gain control of the opponent’s weapon by
pushing it. Daogen provides the strongest leverage for such control. The empty hand
can be used to strengthen the application of ya or tui.
3.2 The Guard Skills
Hushou – The guard of a sword is always designed to protect the hand that holds
it. The Taiji Dao guard is unique in that its special design provides not only protection
but also the means to catch and trap the opponent’s weapon. Some skills using
hushou are:
Dang means to use the guard to block a weapon, usually a short, light weapon like
a jian. If the opponent attacks with a hard, heavy weapon, a direct dang block is risky
and usually not effective.
Na means to hold something and take control. Here, the guard is used to catch the
opponent’s weapon and is then twisted to control the attacking weapon.
3.3 The Ring Skills
Daohuan – the ring at the end of a Taiji Dao can be grasped and manipulated by
the empty hand to assist the main sword hand. Although both hands are used in
these circumstances, ring skills are different from regular two-handed grips. Usually a
two-handed grip adds power at the expense of liveliness and agility. Using the ring
adds less power but retains more nimbleness and control. As opposed to the typically
large movements of two hands in a two-handed grip, ring skills involve small, quick
movements by the rear hand holding the ring, all the while the front hand, on the
handle, remains relatively still.
Compared to one-handed grips, holding the ring with the empty hand in Taiji Dao
yields greater power. Compared to regular two-handed grips, it yields greater
liveliness and agility. Overall, ring grips balance the relative advantages and
disadvantages of other kinds of grips. Some skills using the ring are:
Tui uses the center of the palm of the empty hand to push forward on the ring. The
opposite of tui is la – pulling using the thumb and two or three fingers that are hooked
through the ring. In ti, the sword hand remains relatively still, while the thumb and two
or three fingers of the rear hand are hooked through the ring and pull up on it,
causing the front of the sword to move downward. The opposite of ti is ya - hooking
the thumb and two or three fingers through the ring and pushing down on it, while the
sword hand remains relatively still. The downward push on the ring causes the front of
the sword to move upward. Yao is waving, where the fingers are hooked through the
ring and move it in circles in front of the body. It makes the tip of the sword to circle
through an ever-larger spiral.
Different Taiji Dao skills are used to defend against different types of weapons. The
way different parts of the sword are used can also vary widely depending on the
opponent’s weapon. Even when the same skill and part of the sword are used, the
internal feeling may differ from one situation to another. Because of these
complexities, we should not limit our sword practice to the study of the sword alone.
We should also research the skills required for the proper use of other weapons.
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Skill Name List Translation
Ci – thrust, pierce
Zha – plunge
Dian – peck or snap down
Beng – poke up
Hua – slice
Liao – upward cut
Tiao – flick upward
Huo – thrust and rip
Pi – split, chop
Kan – chop
Duo – cut, chop, mince
Zhan – sideways chop, behead
Mo – wipe
Xiao – scooping slice
Hua – sliding
Jian – shear off
Jie – intersect
Jia – upward block
Sao – sweep
Yun – circle
Shan – knock away
Ke – jab
Dai – bring along, drag
Lü – deflect
Za – reverse hammer block
Lan – parry
Ge – follow and soft parry
Ya – press down
Quan – circling parry
Chan – spiral
Jiao – stir up, flip
Gun – roll
Ci – thrust, pierce
Zha – plunge
Dian – peck or snap down
Beng – poke up
Hua – slice
Liao – upward cut
Tiao – flick upward
Huo – thrust and rip
Pi – split, chop
Kan – chop
Duo – cut, chop, mince
Zhan – sideways chop, behead
Mo – wipe
Xiao – scooping slice
Hua – sliding
Jian – shear off
Jie – intersect
Jia – upward block
Sao – sweep
Yun – circle
Shan – knock away
Ke – jab
Dai – bring along, drag
Lü – deflect
Za – reverse hammer block
Lan – parry
Ge – follow and soft parry
Ya – press down
Quan – circling parry
Chan – spiral
Jiao – stir up, flip
Gun – roll
Figure 5: Basic skills list
Daotou – The head of the sword refers to the uppermost six inches of the blade and includes the tip and
the upper and front sections of the edge. The tip skills are the most important of the daotou skills. Because
the top six inches are shaped and double-sided, the skills that rely on this part of the sword do not have to be
hard or powerful. More often, they are light, quick, and easily changed. Compared with other kinds of single
dao skills, Taiji Dao skills do not often require us to turn our wrist over, because both edges at the top of the
dao are sharp. As a result, Taiji Dao daotou skills are more efficient and easier to execute than other single
dao skills.
The most important daotou skills are ci and zha. Ci is a thrust skill in which the tip of the sword moves
straight ahead and extends quite far forward toward a relatively distant target. Although many daotou skills
are not hard and powerful, ci is an exception: its power is similar to that of a spear thrust. Zha is a thrust skill
in which the tip of the sword is plunged forward at a target that is only a short distance away. The
effectiveness of the zha skill depends more on speed and suddenness than it does on power. Ci and zha are
very similar, varying only by the distance at which each is optimally used. There is no clear way to specifically
define the distance that differentiates the two, and usually practitioners do not concern themselves with this
distinction. Occasionally, the skill is considered to be ci if the whole arm is involved, and zha if only the
forearm is involved.
the upper and front sections of the edge. The tip skills are the most important of the daotou skills. Because
the top six inches are shaped and double-sided, the skills that rely on this part of the sword do not have to be
hard or powerful. More often, they are light, quick, and easily changed. Compared with other kinds of single
dao skills, Taiji Dao skills do not often require us to turn our wrist over, because both edges at the top of the
dao are sharp. As a result, Taiji Dao daotou skills are more efficient and easier to execute than other single
dao skills.
The most important daotou skills are ci and zha. Ci is a thrust skill in which the tip of the sword moves
straight ahead and extends quite far forward toward a relatively distant target. Although many daotou skills
are not hard and powerful, ci is an exception: its power is similar to that of a spear thrust. Zha is a thrust skill
in which the tip of the sword is plunged forward at a target that is only a short distance away. The
effectiveness of the zha skill depends more on speed and suddenness than it does on power. Ci and zha are
very similar, varying only by the distance at which each is optimally used. There is no clear way to specifically
define the distance that differentiates the two, and usually practitioners do not concern themselves with this
distinction. Occasionally, the skill is considered to be ci if the whole arm is involved, and zha if only the
forearm is involved.
Figure 8a, 8b: Basic Taiji Dao skill – slider cutting
Figure 9: Basic Taiji Dao skill – intersect block
Figure 11a, 11b, 11c: Basic Taiji Dao skill – Circling parry
Figure 10: Basic Taiji Dao skill – knock away block
Shan and ke are blocking skills. Shan means to knock away, where the sword is moved upward and to the right in a large diagonal motion, as if to be
waved as a giant fan. In shan the back of the sword is used to knock away the opponent’s weapon in a powerful movement. Ke is jab in which the back
of the sword is used to knock away the opponent’s weapon in a smaller, quicker, and more sudden version of shan. It is used when the opponent is
close.
Dai and lü are defense skills. In dai, use the back of the sword to make and maintain contact with the opponent’s weapon and then following his
weapon, accelerate the movement of the sword in the same direction as the incoming weapon. This allows us to gain control of the opponent’s weapon
and bring it along in the wake of our own. Dai is much easier to use when our opponent’s attack involves a side-to-side force. Lü is a deflecting skill in
which the back of the sword sticks to the opponent’s weapon, follows its force initially and then changes the direction of that force. Lü can be applied
more easily when the opponent’s attack is quick and powerful.
Za is a blocking skill, in which the blade is turned over so that its back faces the ground, and then is used like a hammer to strike down on the
opponent’s weapon. The movement can be either small and quick like a sharp tap, or big and powerful like the blow of a sledgehammer.
(4) The Flat of the Blade
Daomian – The flat surface or side of the blade is used for blocks and parries that require a light, soft touch. Typical applications include adhering,
sticking, linking, and following. Daomian is used very frequently in Taiji Dao, because the manner of its use closely follows Taiji Quan principles. Some
skills using daomian are:
Lan, ge, and ya use the flat of the blade to softly parry. In lan, we make contact with the opponent’s weapon, usually from the side, and then push the
attacking weapon aside. In ge, use the flat of the blade to make contact with the opponent’s weapon, usually from the side, and then follow the
movement of his weapon with a soft parry as we approach the opponent. In ya, we touch the opponent’s weapon, and then to gain control of his weapon
by pressing down on it.
Quan, chan, jiao, and gun employs the flat of the blade to make contact with the opponent’s weapon, and then change the direction of his weapon by
moving the sword in circles or spirals, all the while maintaining contact with the attacking weapon.
waved as a giant fan. In shan the back of the sword is used to knock away the opponent’s weapon in a powerful movement. Ke is jab in which the back
of the sword is used to knock away the opponent’s weapon in a smaller, quicker, and more sudden version of shan. It is used when the opponent is
close.
Dai and lü are defense skills. In dai, use the back of the sword to make and maintain contact with the opponent’s weapon and then following his
weapon, accelerate the movement of the sword in the same direction as the incoming weapon. This allows us to gain control of the opponent’s weapon
and bring it along in the wake of our own. Dai is much easier to use when our opponent’s attack involves a side-to-side force. Lü is a deflecting skill in
which the back of the sword sticks to the opponent’s weapon, follows its force initially and then changes the direction of that force. Lü can be applied
more easily when the opponent’s attack is quick and powerful.
Za is a blocking skill, in which the blade is turned over so that its back faces the ground, and then is used like a hammer to strike down on the
opponent’s weapon. The movement can be either small and quick like a sharp tap, or big and powerful like the blow of a sledgehammer.
(4) The Flat of the Blade
Daomian – The flat surface or side of the blade is used for blocks and parries that require a light, soft touch. Typical applications include adhering,
sticking, linking, and following. Daomian is used very frequently in Taiji Dao, because the manner of its use closely follows Taiji Quan principles. Some
skills using daomian are:
Lan, ge, and ya use the flat of the blade to softly parry. In lan, we make contact with the opponent’s weapon, usually from the side, and then push the
attacking weapon aside. In ge, use the flat of the blade to make contact with the opponent’s weapon, usually from the side, and then follow the
movement of his weapon with a soft parry as we approach the opponent. In ya, we touch the opponent’s weapon, and then to gain control of his weapon
by pressing down on it.
Quan, chan, jiao, and gun employs the flat of the blade to make contact with the opponent’s weapon, and then change the direction of his weapon by
moving the sword in circles or spirals, all the while maintaining contact with the attacking weapon.
Figure 14a, 14b: Basic Taiji Dao skill – the ring skills
Figure 13: Basic Taiji Dao skill – guard control
Figure 12: Basic Taiji Dao skill – jab
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