Master Chen Zhenglei Visits the US

From August 4 thru the 20, the United States Wushu Academy hosted the first US visit of Master Chen Zhenglei. Master Chen participated in a Grandmasters Demonstration as well as officiating at the 1996 USWA International Tai Chi Championship held in Fairfax, Virginia on August 10th and 11.

Following the tournament, Master Chen participated in the USWA 1996 Special Seminar program, offering extended seminars on both Xin Jia I Lu and the Chen Style Straight Sword. This page will offer a review of Master Chens' second seminar, dealing with the sword.

Master Chen started each class with warmups, Chan Ssu Gong and breathing exercises before beginning instruction. He also taught a series of self massage techniques to be used after practicing qigongs.

Master Chen began the sword class with an overview of the sword, its characteristics, and the purpose of training with traditional weapons in todays' society.

Master Chen reviewed the composition of the sword: the uses of the pommel, and guard, as well as the three sections of the blade. He demonstrated the use of each part of the blade in different techniques found in the form, and explained the different grips used for specific techniques. He noted the use of the tassel as a fient, and by skilled practitioners as a weapon.

He noted the characteristics of the Chen style sword: it is like the wind and water, in that it can be soft, like clouds and water, or hard, like the hurricane and the tidal wave. Due to its' lightness, the sword is not used to counter heavier weapons. It is the most strategic of the classic weapons: the user finds the opening in the opponents defense, and penetrates it with the sword.
Correct use of the sword in combat depends on a mastery of barehand forms, inasmuch as the body is used to evade the opponents weapon, and guide the sword. Also, the barehand skill of extending internal energy to the hands is utilized in the sword, extending the energy past the hands into the various sections of the weapon. In effect, practicing the sword is the same as practicing barehanded routines.
He stated that, in fencing, "life or death depends on your footwork". One must practice the sword like the swimming dragon, and show the spirit when practicing. The eyes should follow the blade, and the spirit of vitality should be apparent.

Master Chen quoted his teacher, Master Chen Zhaopi:
"Zha, dian, mo, pi, ci: ("draw into spirals and lead the attackers energy harmlessly away").
Tiao, li, is the proper way: tui tuo is the orthodox method.
There are ways to advance while leading the attacker in: the horizontal and vertical movements of the sword a flash of steel.
Contracting like a hedgehog: releasing energy as if reaching to the end of a rainbow.
A myriad sun rays radiate brilliantly: the glorious radiance is marvelously boundless.
After long practice with the Taiji sword, when your skill is perfected, you will achieve enlightenment of your own".

Master Chen stressed that it was necessary to understand the use of each movement in order to perform it correctly. Without this knowledge, the student cannot send internal energy to the proper part of the blade, and his grip may be incorrect.

Students found Master Chen's willingness to repeatedly demonstrate and explain movements a great aid to learning. His teaching skill, coupled with his gentle good humor and respect for his students made the seminar a highly enjoyable and rewarding experience for all who attended.