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Sword Runs Green, Knife Runs Black 劍走青,刀走黑

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  • Sword Runs Green, Knife Runs Black 劍走青,刀走黑

    劍走青,刀走黑
    jiàn zǒu qīng, dāo zǒu hēi (Mandarin)


    Last edited by Mark Blohm; 17 June 2014, 04:58 AM.
    少林華南台灣 Shaolin Wahnam Taiwan

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    "Then how could chi kung overcome diseases where the cause is unknown or when there is no cure? The question is actually incorrect. The expressions "the cause is unknown" and "there is no cure" are applicable only in the Western medical paradigm. The expressions no longer hold true in the chi kung paradigm. In the chi kung paradigm the cause is known, and there is a cure."

    -Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit

  • #2
    Thanks to Michael Siheng for his investigation into this phrase which included Sifu's response:

    In the expression "kim chow ching, tou chow hak" (劍走青,刀走黑) or "sword runs green, knife runs black", the key words that puzzle many people are "green" and "black". Here, "green" represents agility, and "black" represents solidness.

    Hence, the expression means that a skilful sword exponent must be agile, whereas a skilful knife (or sabre) exponent must be solid.

    A skilful sword exponent would not block his opponent's weapon but dodge it. When his opponent attacks with a heavier weapon, for example, (almost all other weapons are heavier than a sword), the sword exponent will agily moves aside and counter-strike.

    But because a knife is heavy, a knife exponent blocks his opponent's weapon attack, then counter-strikes. Deflecting an opponent's attack with a heavy knife like what a swordsman may sometime do with his dainty sword, may not be suitable due to the solidness of the knife.

    Nevertheless, in our case as we have the benefit of breadth and depth, we may deflect, instead of block, a heavier weapon, like a Guan Dao or a Big Trident. But our deflecting movement with a knife is different from the delecting movement with a sword.

    With the knife, we use our arm or forearm, issuing from the shoulder or the elbow, to deflect with our knife. Following the deflecting movement, we follow uo with a downward chop or an upward "reverse pull" of our knife at our opponent. The movements are big and solid.

    With the sword, we use our wrist, with little movement of the arm, to deflect with our sword. Immediately we thrust forward with the tip of the sword. The movement is small and agile.

    The destructive feature of a sword is at its tip. It is mainly a thrusting weapon. The destructive feature of a knife is at its cutting edge. It is mainly a cutting weapon.

    Because of its dainty nature, a swordsman seldom cuts and almost never hacks, though he sometimes slashes. He mainly thrusts.

    Because of its solid nature, a knife exponent seldom thrusts. He mainly cuts and hacks.
    少林華南台灣 Shaolin Wahnam Taiwan

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    "Then how could chi kung overcome diseases where the cause is unknown or when there is no cure? The question is actually incorrect. The expressions "the cause is unknown" and "there is no cure" are applicable only in the Western medical paradigm. The expressions no longer hold true in the chi kung paradigm. In the chi kung paradigm the cause is known, and there is a cure."

    -Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit

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    • #3
      Dear Michael and Mark,

      Thank you both for your great work here in this section. I always enjoy reading the posts and find the information most educational and relevant.

      Shaolin salute - with love and respect,

      Emiko
      Emiko Hsuen
      www.shaolinwahnam.jp
      www.shaolinwahnam.ca

      INTENSIVE & SPECIAL COURSES -- PENANG 2018
      Taught by Grandmaster Wong Kiew Kit
      4th generation successor of the Southern Shaolin Monastery
      Small and Big Universe Course: Nov 21 to 25
      Becoming a Shaolin Wahnam Kungfu Practitioner: Nov 26 to Dec 2
      Cultivating Spirit Nourishing Energy: Dec 2 to Dec 8
      Intensive Chi Kung Course: Dec 9 to Dec 13
      To apply, send email to: secretary@shaolin.org

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