Chinese Swordsmanship: The Yang Family Taiji Jian Tradition

Rating:
Summary: Rich and in-depth
Review: Chinese Swordsmanship is a fascinating chronicle of all aspects of the Chinese Jian traditions and history. Rodell has written an interesting book that provides insight into the Jian and the actual use of the sword in combat. Anyone who practises Taiji will consider this to be a "gem" in their martial art book collection. It will definately add to a deeper understanding of the art, the practical use of the sword and leave your Taiji practice enriched. ENJOY!

Rating:
Summary: Best Book on Chinese Swordsmanship to Date
Review: I bought this book, read it and was utterly amazed that someone with the knowledge and skill level finally wrote a reference guide for those of us who haven't been able to go that extra mile because of lack of the information available. I really recommend this book for someone who is learning Taiji sword (from a teacher of course), because it will be of big help to you when you need to refer back to it.

The book is about the Yang Family Taiji Sword Tradition. Two different styles are presented: one which most of us are familiar with that was down from Yang Chengfu's lineage and taught to Mr. Rodell by Master T.T. Liang; the second one came from Master Wang Yen-nian of the Yang Jianhou (Yang Chengfu's Father) tradition. Those that are familiar with the history of Yang Taiji will understand that there is a difference between father and son's technique.

The book begins with the Author's Introduction and then History, Sword Ettiquette (which I found particularly interesting), Jian (sword) Anatomy, how to hold the sword and perform the secret sword fingers, basic stance and sword cuts. Then both forms and their applications(!) are shown using real antique weapons from the Ancient China. There is also some interesting stuff in the Appendices.

I hope you buy this book it will be of great benefit to your training.

Rating:
Summary: Chinese Swordsmanship and Modern Warfare
Review: In this age of suicide bombs, smart weapons and remote killing looking back at origins and practice of a particular type of Daoist swordsmanship is a welcome respite. If current urban warfare was conducted with swords and followed the traditions of Chinese chivalry developed over hundreds of years, our disputes would be much more cleanly settled. Sword violence would be connected directly to the participants and would presumably be much more of a last resort. This book, through great photographs and detailed descriptions, helps the practitioner of this art begin to use the Taiji Jian as an extension of the body. By providing demonstration of actual applications in the form, Mr. Rodell provides a road map to discipline, precision and martial skill. This tome can provide much value to the modern warrior struggling to master the use of surgical strikes, as well providing context to those studying the history of combat.

Rating:
Summary: Chinese Swordsmanship and Modern Warfare
Review: In this age of suicide bombs, smart weapons and remote killing looking back at origins and practice of a particular type of Daoist swordsmanship is a welcome respite. If current urban warfare was conducted with swords and followed the traditions of Chinese chivalry developed over hundreds of years, our disputes would be much more cleanly settled. Sword violence would be connected directly to the participants and would presumably be much more of a last resort. This book, through great photographs and detailed descriptions, helps the practitioner of this art begin to use the Taiji Jian as an extension of the body. By providing demonstration of actual applications in the form, Mr. Rodell provides a road map to discipline, precision and martial skill. This tome can provide much value to the modern warrior struggling to master the use of surgical strikes, as well providing context to those studying the history of combat.

Rating:
Summary: Really in-depth look into a system
Review: It is definitely not easy to write a book about a martial art, definitely one that could be understood exactly like the writer had intended. This work has got it right. For me, being a student of the system described in that book, it offers details ta aid my study and a point of comparison to another system. A much needed tool, not only useful to students of covered systems, but also others as to give different angles of view towards that sharp piece of metal we so much love, often lacking from one's training. Without such understanding of different arts one's own skill will be severely limited and narrow.

Rating:
Summary: The best book on Chinese swordmanship
Review: This book has something for the novice as well as long time practitioners. It gives the reader a comprehensive reference tool. How many times have you as a martial artist picked up a book about a subject that you are sincerely interested in and not been able to use it to gain any practical understanding and skill? It is very difficult to learn any real skill from a book, but this book is written in a way that any ernest student can benefit from studying it. Many thanks to Scott Rodell for enriching the community of sword practitioners.

Rating:
Summary: The best book on Chinese swordmanship
Review: This book has something for the novice as well as long time practitioners. It gives the reader a comprehensive reference tool. How many times have you as a martial artist picked up a book about a subject that you are sincerely interested in and not been able to use it to gain any practical understanding and skill? It is very difficult to learn any real skill from a book, but this book is written in a way that any ernest student can benefit from studying it. Many thanks to Scott Rodell for enriching the community of sword practitioners.

Rating:
Summary: Essential!
Review: This book is one of (if THE) best book on Chinese swordsmanship and taiji sword on the market today. While many practitioners "play" endless solo forms, Rodell has a clear understanding of how the sword is used in combat. I attended a week-long seminar of Rodell's, and I can say from first-hand experience that he can use his skill with the sword in full-speed, totally unrehearsed situations, which is a very special skill nowadays. "Chinese Swordsmanship" has clear photos for every movement in two different Yang Family sword forms along with the application for each movement; the applications show Rodell using the jian against a variety of authentic Chinese arms (not just the jian). If you practice taijiquan or taiji sword, this book is a must-have.

Rating:
Summary: Superb piece of work.
Review: This book was given to me by a student of Scott Rodell's. I appreciate the unique gift. Mr. Rodell does an excellent job of explaining and demostrating chinese swordsmanship. It is interesting to note the differences between the public and private styles and the martial applications of each. This book is a must have if you want to increase your understanding of taiji.

Rating:
Summary: A cut above its competition
Review: This is an outstanding contribution to the field of publications dealing with Chinese martial arts. Not only is it a meticulously-written and well-illustrated guide to sword technique, this remarkable book also supports the topic with information which "flesh out" the art's social and historical context. It explains not only the "what", but also the "who", "why" and "when". In this way, it is not only an invaluable guide to serious students of taijiquan and its sword techniques, but will also appeal to those readers who are interested in the role that martial arts played in late imperial China. The author's experience as an instructor and his dedication to scholarship ensure that the information in this book is accurate and well-reasoned, with none of the unsubstantiated and fanciful lore which has been the bane of martial arts writing for years.