Weaponry

(II) Shaolin Wushu also contains many weaponry routines. Highly skilled combat techniques with weapons are closely related to the military training at Shaolin temple in the old days. Below is a brief introduction of the four famous weapons.

The spear is regarded as the "King of ancient weapon". A spear is mainly used to pierce. Fencing is a supplementary. When piercing, the spear should be held parallel to the earth and strike straight in and out so the force can reach the tip of the spearhead. This is called "Spear strikes along a straight line." Spear movements include tautening, hacking ,piercing, rapping, flailing, fencing and sweeping. One formula goes :"Strike out as a releasing an arrow; bring in like unsheathing a sword; raise the spear like down a tiger; jump like climbing a mountain; the eyes follow the spearhead.”

The broad sword is regarded as the "commander of the weapons," Old Wushu masters has this adage : "The broad sword is used for bold attacking; while the spear is used often for self-protection." The single-sword play, in particular, makes the atmosphere like tiger in a fight. Movements for broad sword include circling the head, hacking , piercing, fencing and others. A saying about sword play goes : "Skills for playing single sword can be judged by the way the practitioner uses his hands; those of twin-sword can be judged by the practitioner's stepping pattern; and those of long-handle sword can be judged by how the practitioner holds the handle."

The Sword is regarded as the "gentleman of the weapons." It should be played like a swimming dragon to show gallantry with militant force though with grace.

A sword has two sharpened edges and a tip. It has to avoid hard objects. The movements of sword play include piercing, hacking, tapping, slicing , pressing, stepping patterns , jumping , balancing and turning of the body.
The cudgel si the oldest weapon. In primitive times, man used it to hunt and for self defense. It is regarded as the “ root of weapons.”

The cudgel can cover a broad area in battle. The Shaolin cudgel is powerful and swift. The practitioner has to have flexible movements with his arms and hands so that the cudgel and himself seem to be merged. He must exert the force to the tip of the movements of cudgel and use it as fast as lightning. The basic movements of cudgel play are sweeping , hacking , striking straight on, slicing tapping and swirling . Stepping patterns, leg movements, jumping, so mersaults and balancing are require for a master player. Shaolin monks have been known throughout history for their high skills in cudgel play.

Along with the four weapons mentioned above, Shaolin Wushu also includes the mace, hook, sickle, stick, spade, ring and whip.

Weapon combats are divided into single and dual exercises.

Bare-hand fighting and breathing exercises of the Shaolin style also have many unique characteristics.