Sword - T'ai Chi Ch'uan, 55 Form, Classical Yang Style, Taijiquan Jian: Bibliography, Links, Lists of Movements, Media, Resources, Quotations

Disclaimer

Warning: Practicing with Sword Weapons Can Be a Dangerous Activity for Adults

Bibliography, Links, Resources
T'ai Chi Ch'uan Traditional 55 Movements Straight Double Edged Sword (Jian) Form

A number of Yang style experts (e.g., Yang, Jwing-Ming, Michael Gilman) recommend that students first learn the Yang Style Saber (Broadsword, Dao, Falchion) Form before learning the Yang Style Sword Form.

Chinese Swordsmanship: The Yang Family Taiji Jian Traditions. By Scott M. Rodell. Annandale, Virginia, Seven Stars Books and Video, 2003. 304 pages. Introduction, sword traditions, history, safety, Yang classical form and Michuan Taiji fighting system. Review ISBN: 0974399906. The Michuan Jian form is meticulously described and photographed and applications shown on pages 73-184, and the Public Yang Jian is likewise described on pages 185-257. Applications and swordplay with partners are covered. The basic Jian cuts are explained on pages 41-64. Scott Rodell online. It is sometimes difficult to see the details in the small black and white photographs. The movements are unnumbered. VSCL. YangShi Taiji Jian. Demonstrated by Scott M. Rodell. 3:28 Video, 2003, 3:28 minutes. Biography of Scott M. Rodell. Founder of Great River Taoist Center in 1984.

Classical Tai Chi Sword. By Petra Kobayashi, Toyo Kobayashi, and Chiang Tao Chi. Charles E. Tuttle, 2003. 176 pages. ISBN: 0804834482. Useful explanation of the 53 movement Yang style sword form. Clear photographs with directional/movement arrows for each of the 53 movements. Good detailed descriptions for each movement. VSCL.

”Classical Tai Chi Chuan Sword, Taijiquan Jian 55 in the Yang Style: Comparison of Names or Descriptions for the 55 Movements.” Green Way Research, Red Bluff, California, January 2008. By Michael P. Garofalo. This document includes a detailed listing of the names or brief descriptions of the 55 movements of the Classical Taijiquan Straight Sword Form in the Yang Style of Taijiquan. This document includes names or brief descriptions for each movement in English, Romanized Chinese (Pinyin and/or Wade Giles), Chinese characters, Spanish, French, and German. The document includes source citations and a bibliography. In PDF format, print only, 267Kb, 34 pages:
Webpage: http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/Classical Taijiquan Yang Sword Form 55 List Detailed.pdf

Classical Taiji Sword - Yang Style Taijiquan. By Mike Garofalo. This webpage includes a bibliography, links, media resources, detailed and simple lists of the movements in the long Yang Taiji sword form (55 movements), history, 13 sword techniques, comparison with the 32 Taiji sword form, and quotations. 120 Kb.

International Taiji Sword Festival 2002 DVD format. Directed by Mark Zimmer. 2002. Great River Taoist Center. 100 Minutes. ASIN: B0001YINXG. Useful for those studying the Yang Family Michuan Taiji Jian system and Scott M. Rodell's book. Mr. Rodell demonstrates the form. Also includes the "miaodao" form for two-handed saber.

Standard Simplified Taijiquan 24 Form. Yang Style, 24 movements, created in 1956. Bibliography, links, resources; list of the 24 movement names in English, Chinese, French, German and Spanish, with citations for movement names; detailed descriptions of each movement with line illustrations; quotes, notes, performance times, online videos, sections for learning, and tips for learning. Peking (Bejing) orthodox short 24 form T'ai Chi Ch'uan. Research by Michael P. Garofalo. 145Kb HTML file. Published by Green Way Research, Valley Spirit Taijiquan, Red Bluff, California: Webpage URL: http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/short.htm.

Sword - T'ai Chi Ch'uan, 32 Form, Yang Style, Taijiquan Jian. By Michael P. Garofalo. This popular webpage includes a comprehensive bibliography, scores of links to webpages, an extensive listing of the names and name variations for each movement (English and Chinese), a detailed analysis of each posture and movement sequence with explanations and numbered illustrations, instructions, selected quotations, a comprehensive media bibliography, and a comparison of the 32 and 55 sword forms in the Yang style. © Green Way Research, Red Bluff, California, January 2008.
       HTML Version: http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/sword32.htm    165Kb
       PDF Version. http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/sword32MPGFull.pdf   205Kb, 45 pages, PDF Print Only Version
       Yang Style, Standard Orthodox 32 Sword Form, List of 32 Movements, Valley Spirit Taijiquan List:
                 http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/32SwordFulla.pdf    15Kb, 1 page, PDF Print Only Version
       Yang Style Sword Form, Classical Tai Chi Sword, List of Movements, 55 Movements, Valley Spirit Taijiquan List:
                 http://www.egreenway.com/taichichuan/sword55.pdf    267Kb, 35 pages, PDF Print Only Version
       Green Way Research: http://www.egreenway.com/index.htm

"Taiji Jian: The Way Of The Sword." By Jonathan Rollins. Inside Kung-Fu, April 2005.

Taiji Sword and Other Writings . By Chen, Wei-Ming. Translated by Barbara Davis. Berkeley, California, North Atlantic Books, 2000. Bibliography, 93 pages. ISBN: 1556433336. On pages 71-72 is a list of the Taiji Sword postures, 55 movements, from Chen Wei Ming with numbering provided by Barbara Davis. Chen Weiming 陳微明 (1881 - 1958) (pinyin Chen Weiming, Wade-Giles Ch'en Wei-ming) was a scholar, taijiquan teacher, and author. He was also known by his name Chen Zengze 陳曾則, Weiming being his hao, a pen-name. From Wikipedia: "Chen came from an educated family with roots in Qishui, Hubei Province, China. His great-grandfather was a famous scholar; and his mother was skilled at calligraphy. As a boy, Chen prepared for the civil service exams by studying the Chinese classics, Chinese calligraphy, poetry, and essay-writing. He passed the mid-level exam of juren in 1902, and received a post in the Qing History Office. His two brothers also became scholars and authors. Chen began to study the Chinese martial arts in Beijing under Sun Lutang (1859 – 1933), with whom he studied xingyi (hsing-i) and bagua (pa-kua). He then began to study taijiquan (t'ai chi ch'uan) with Yang Chengfu (1883 – 1936), grandson of Yang Luchan, founder of the Yang family lineage. In 1925, Chen moved to Shanghai and established the Zhi Ruo (Achieving Softness) Taijiquan Association. Chen recorded Yang's teachings in three books under his own name: Taijiquan shu (The Art of Taijiquan, 1925), Taiji jian (Taiji Sword, 1928), and Taijiquan da wen (Questions and Answers on Taijiquan, 1929). These books are important not only for their content, but because they were among the first taijiquan books published for a mass audience. Chen also wrote several scholarly books under the name Chen Zengze. He wrote prefaces to Sun Lutang and Zheng Manqing's taijiquan books. Though Chen did not create a large following through his teaching as did his classmates Dong Yingjie (Tung Ying-chieh) and Zheng Manqing (Cheng Man-ch'ing), his books have remained influential and are important references about taijiquan in the early 1900s."

"Tai Chi Straight Sword." Demonstration by Doc-Fai Wong. 45 minutes, VHS videotape.

Taiji Sword, Classical Yang Style: The Complete Form, Qigong and Applications. By Yang, Jwing-Ming. Edited by James C. O'Leary. Boston, Mass., YMAA Publications, 1999. Index, glossary, list of form postures, 205 pages. ISBN: 1886969744. VSCL. The standard 54 Yang sword form.

Taiji Sword, Classical Yang Style: the Complete Form, Qigong and Applications. Instructional VHS videotape and DVD. Presented by Yang, Jwing-Ming. YMAA Publications, 1999. 82 minutes. ISBN: 1886969817. The standard 54 Yang sword form. This instructional media is now available in both VHS and DVD formats. Multi-language Menu: English, Spanish, French, Chinese, Polish. VSCL: DVD.

"T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Sword, Saber, Staff and Dispersing-Hands Combined." By Chen Yen-lin. Originally published in China in 1932. Based on writings compiled by Wu Ho-ching who was a scholar and student of Yang Lu-chan (1799 - 1872). These written works were obtained by Chen Yen-lin (1906 - ?) from the famous Yang Cheng-fu (1883 - 1936). This book was very popular in China, helped spread the Yang style Tai Chi Chuan widely, and opened the doors to publishing about internal arts forms. This book has been compiled and translated by Stuart Alve Olson and published by Dragon Door Publications as the Chen Kung Series, Volumes 1 -5.

Tai Chi Sword, Sabre and Staff. By Yearning K. Chen. Translated by Stuart Alve Olson. Bubbling Well Press, 1986. Part of a Series, V. 5. 178 pages. ISBN: 0938045032.

T'ai Chi Thirteen Sword: A Sword Master's Manual. By Stuart A. Olson. Translations by Stuart Olson. Burbank, CA, Unique Publications, 1998. 258 pages. ISBN: 1892515148. Description and charts for the 61 Movement Yang Style sword form. VSCL.

13 Taijijian Techniques (13 Tai Chi Sword Techniques). Research by Miichael P. Garofalo. Valley Spirit Taijiquan, Green Way Research, Red Bluff, California, 2008. 1. Ji 击 Strike, hit, break attack, beat, stroke. 2. Ci 刺 Trust, pierce, sting, prick, stab. Ge 割 Cut off, Divide, Block Off, Sever, Quarter, Obstruct, Scroll, Blocking. 4. Xi 洗 Brush Off, Sweep Away, Wash Off, Clean Off. 5. Chou 抽 Pull Out, Cut Out, Extract. 6. Dai 带 Deflect, Leading, Deflecting, Slicing, Lead, Carrying. 7. Ti 提 Upwards Stroke, Lifting Up, Lift, To Carry Up. 8. Dian 点 Point, Dot, Spot, Poke. 9. Peng 迸 Burst Forth, Split Open, Tipping, Gush Out, Burst, Wardoff. 10. Pi 劈 Split, Hack, Chop, Split Open, Chopping, Cut Apart, Split, Splitting. 11. Jie 截 Intercepting, Cut Off, Stop, Obstruct, Cutting, Intercept. 12. Jiao 搅 Stir, Stirring, Mix, Disturb, Agitate. 13. Ya 搅 Press, Pressing, Press Down, Push Down, Crush, Pressure.

Traditional Yang Style Taiji Sword. This instructional videotape features Yang Zhen Dou, 4th generation Yang family, son of Yang Cheng-fu, and Yang Jun, 6th generation, grandson of Yang Zhen Duo. There is now an "English Version" of this VHS videotape, 180 minutes, from United States Wushu Academy, 7521 Arlington Blvd., Falls Church, VA 22042, Phone:
703-698-8182.

Tai Chi Feather Sword. Ken Van Sickle. Instructional DVD, 81 minutes. "In this fully authored DVD, Master Ken Van Sickle teaches the complete Tai Chi Sword Form according to the Style and Spirit of Grand Master Cheng Man Ching. Demonstrated from multiple angles with detailed explanations given for each movement; additionally, developmental exercises and drills are also demonstrated to help refine your skill."

Traditional Yang Tai Chi Sword. Demonstration by Master Jesse Tsao. UTube Video, 2007, 7:03 minutes.

Yang 54 Sword Form. Demonstration by Frits van der Putten. UTube Video, 2007, 4:53 minutes.

YangShi Taiji Jian. Demonstrated by Scott M. Rodell. GRTC Center, Video, 2003, 3:28 minutes.

"Why Learn Chinese Swordsmanship in this Age of Smart Bombs and Terrorism?" By Steven M. Roth. Kung Fu Tai Chi, September/October 2004.

"Yang Family Taijiquan: The Hidden Tradition." By Scott M. Rodell. Inside Kungfu, Mar. 1993.

Yang Style Tai Chi Sword. Taught by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye. Instructional VHS videotape or DVD. Step by step teaching of the 67 posture Yang sword form. Demonstrations with multiple views, normal and slow speeds. 120 minutes. Website: Jiang's Tai Chi Videos.

Yang Style Tai Chi Sword. Instructional VHS. 60 Minutes. Instruction by Shifu Ted Mancuso. Plum Publications.

Yang Style Tai Chi 13 Sword. Taught by Shifu Jiang Jian-ye. Instruction VHS videotape or DVD. Part 1, form 1-28, 116 minutes. Part 2, form 28-54, 120 minutes. "This 54 form set is based on the system of Yang Jian-Hou, a son of the founder of the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Stystem, Jan Lu-Chan. The teachig is step by step with multiple repetitions and camera angels and slow and normal speed. There are reviews of segments and demonstrations at the end." Website: Jiang's Tai Chi Videos.

Yang-Style Taiji Sword, Yang-Style Taiji Falchion. The performance of the Tai Chi falchion (saber) and the Tai Chi Swordplay in this DVD is explained and demonstrated by Yang Zhenduo, the 4th-generation exponent of Yang style Tai Chi Chuan and the routine is demonstrated by Mr. Yang Jun, the 6th-generation exponent. Yang Zhengduo is the son of Yang Cheng-Fu; and Yang Jun is the grandson of Yang Zheng-duo. Explanation in Mandarin by Yang Zhengduo. English language voice translation by Christopher Pei. Made in China. "It is the best model to follow in learning the play of typical Yang style Tai Chi Falchion and the Tai Chi Swordplay." Instructional DVD, 98 minutes, color. Beauty Video. English and Chinese soundtrack with subtitles. Distributed by: Source 1, Source 2, Source 3, Source 4, Source 5, Tai Chi Depot. VSCL.

List of Movements
55 Movement Classical T'ai Chi Ch'uan Sword Form in the Yang Style

Sword forms, sword practice routines, sword fencing, swordplay in theater, and sword dances are all of very ancient origin in China. Professor Hermann Bohn told me that "There always has been a distinct differentiation between the sword dancers (like Li Bo and other literati), who did the wenjian, lighter and more for self-cultivation; and, on the other side, the martial swordsmen, who did the heavier, warfare orientated wujian." Most soldiers and sword fighters were trained to use the curved broadsword or saber (Dao), which is heavier, single edged, cheaper to manufacture, and easier to learn how to use.

The Chen style of Taijiquan included broadsword, staff and spear practices starting in the 1670's, but the teachings were not made available to the general public. By the middle of the 1800's, Taijiquan had become recognized in China as a distinct style of martial arts. However, various scholars have reported that there is little documentation or evidence showing how the double edged straight sword (jian) was being taught in private Taijiquan schools. The founder of Yang Style Taijiquan, Yang Lu Chan (1799-1872) lived during the time of the active use of swords and other traditional weapons in self-defense, and was familiar with sword fencing, swordsmanship, and the practical applications of sword techniques. However, his sons, Yang Pan Hou (1837-1890) and Yang Jian Hou (1839-1917), lived during the period when the availability of firearms and artillery, and their use in military and police actions, rendered the use of swords, spears, staff, and the bow and arrow obsolete. Also, the Republic of China was established in 1912, replacing the Qing Dynasty, and ended the restrictions on the public study and practice of martial arts or folk wushu. Therefore, in the early 1900's, some teachers began teaching internal martial arts and Taijiquan to the general public, e.g., Sun Lu Tang 孫祿堂 (1861-1933) and Yang Cheng Fu 楊澄甫 (1883-1936). These teachers emphasized a slower and more refined Taijiquan for fitness, self-cultivation, health maintenance, group camaraderie, integration with Taoist philosophy, qigong, public health, sports competition, and the perseveration of traditional martial arts.

In 1928, the first small book on the Taijiquan double edged straight sword (Jian) form was published: The Taiji Sword. It's author, Chen Weiming 陳微明 (real name: Chen Zengze 陳曾則) (1881-1958) was a scholar, historian, and taijiquan instructor. Chen Weiming studied with Sun Lu Tang, and with General Li Jing Lin (Fang Chen) (1885-1931), a Wudang sword master. Chen Weiming was a senior student and close friend of the famous Taijiquan Grand Master Yang Cheng Fu, and collaborated with Yang Cheng Fu when publishing three taijiquan books. Chen says little about techniques, and notes that Yang Cheng Fu "never taught a specific set of sword (Jian) fencing." By 1928, the emphasis was upon sword form practice; and, not on fencing, applications drills, and techniques. The sword form described and pictured in the 1928 book, Taiji Sword, with 55 movements, has become the public version of the "classical" or "traditional Yang Taijiquan" straight sword form after it was integrated into the Yang style of Taijiquan curriculum in the early 1900's. There are numerous variations of this 55 movement form, but the core movements remain.

Chen Weiming's book was translated into English with a commentary by Barbara Davis in 2000. Numerous authors, all cited above, have also written books about the 55 movement classical public Taijiquan sword form in the Yang style, e.g., Petra Kobayashi (2003), Scott M. Rodell (2003), and Yang Jwing Ming (1999). Numerous instructional media also exist for learning the Taijiquan Yang 55 Sword Form.

In 1955, a Taijiquan Physical Education Taijiquan Subcommittee used the "classical" taijiquan sword form in the Yang style, 55 movement form, as documented by Chen Weiming in 1928, and other swordplay sources, as the foundation for creating the Orthodox Simplified Taijiquan 32 Sword Form. In 1957, the Chinese National Physical Education Committee approved the subcommittee's recommendations, and decided that the Orthodox Simplified 32 Sword Form would be used in physical education and wushu classes as an introductory Taijiquan swordplay form. Since then, the standard simplified 32 sword form has become very popular in China and all around the world. Numerous instructional media, books, and webpages exist for learning the 32 Taijiquan Sword Form.

Keep in mind that some Yang style Taijiquan teachers teach 32 sword form and some the 55 sword form, and a few might not appreciate your confusing the two forms. Remember, the 32 sword form was developed by a sports committee sponsored by the Communist Party government. On the other hand, some Taijiquan Masters of the Yang Style from Taiwan or Hong Kong, and those who actively supported the Chinese Nationalist Party in the 1940's, like Professor Cheng Man Ching, significantly influenced Taijiquan sword teaching in the USA. So ... be flexible, sensitive, and 'when in Rome do as the Romans do.' You might learn both the 32 and 55 Yang style sword forms to expand your Taijiquan swordplay horizons, skills, and expertise. The 32 sword form is practiced by many persons, even by those who do not practice Yang Style Taijiquan.

As with most longer Taijiquan sword forms, the ordering of the moves and the numbering sequence differs a little from teacher to teacher in the long "classical" Taijiquan sword form. You will see the public and common Classical Taijiquan Sword Form, adopted by the Yang Taijiquan tradition, in versions with 50 movements, 51 movements, 52 movements (Cheng Man-Ch'ing), 53 movements (Petra Kobayashi), 54 movements (Yang Jwing Ming, Sam Masich), 55 movements (Chen Weiming), 56 movements (Peter Lim Tian Tek), 61 movements (Stuart Alve Olson), 64 movements (Xin Qi Shen Dojo), and 67 movements (Yang Zhen Duo and Yang Jun, Jiang Jian-ye). It will depend on whether or not opening and closing movements are included, how some longer movement sequences are defined and numbered, added repetitions, deleted repetitions, and unique variations, etc. Also, the directions of some of the movements do vary from teacher to teacher. Again, however, on the whole, the sequence of movements is the same.

Yang Sword Form Yang Taijiquan Style Sword (Jian) 55 Movement Form Classical Tai Chi Sword, List of Movements, Yang Style, 55 Movements, Valley Spirit Taijiquan List, Detailed List, 34 pages Classical Tai Chi Sword, List of Movements, Yang Style, 55 Movements, Valley Spirit Taijiquan List, Simple List, 2 pages Research by Michael P. Garofalo The above document (34 pages, 267Kb, PDF Format) is based upon the sequence order of Chen Weiming's Taiji Sword, 1928, 55 Movements. It includes a variety of English language names and descriptions for each of the 55 movements. It includes references to the sources (e.g., Chen Weiming, Yang Jwing Ming, Petra Kobayashi, Yang Jun, Scott Rodell, etc.) for the specific names and descriptions for each of the 55 movements. It includes Chinese characters and Romanized Chinese names and descriptions for each of the 55 movements. It includes research notes and a bibliography. It includes names and descriptions in English, Romanized Pinyin Chinese, traditional and simplified Chinese characters, and the names in French, German, and Spanish. What follows is an abbreviated version of the names/descriptions of the Classical Yang 55 Movement Sword Form:
1.	Preparation and Opening Taiji Sword Beginning Posture Step Forward and Unite with Sword
2.	Three Rings Circle the Moon Three Bracelets Embrace the Moon Circling the Moon Three Times
3.	The Big Dipper Great Star of the Literary God Big Chief Star Symbolism and Lore about this Posture
4.	The Swallow Skims Across the Water Swallow Searches the Water Swallow Dips Its Beak in the Water Technique: Chou (Cutting from right to left and upward)
5.	Block and Sweep to the Right Right Block and Sweep Obstruct and Sweep Right Techniques: Dai (Deflecting), Xi (Catching), and Chou (Cutting)
6.	Block and Sweep to the Left Left Block and Sweep Obstruct and Weep Left Techniques: Dai (Deflecting), Xi (Catching), and Chou (Cutting)
7.	Little Star of the Big Dipper Small Star of the Literary God Little Chief Star Techniques: Ya (Pressing or Pushing Down), and Chou (Cutting Upward)
8.	The Swallow Enters the Nest The Yellow Bee Enters the Hole The Wasp Enters the Hive Technique: Ci (Thrust low with two hands on sword)
9.	The Agile Cat Catches the Rat The Spirit Cat Catches the Mouse The Clever Cat Catches the Mouse Techniques: Beng (Explode with flat blade), Tiao (Springing and Leaping), Ci (Thrusting with two hands on sword)
10.	The Dragonfly Touches the Water Dragonfly Slaps the Water The Dragonfly Sips Water Techniques: Ge (Blocking), Ci (Thrusting with two hands on sword)
11.	The Bee Enters the Hive The Wasp Flies Into the Hive Yellow Bee Enters Cave
12.	The Phoenix Spreads Its Wings The Phoenix Spreads Both Wings the Mythical Bird Opens Its Wings
13.	The Whirlwind Moves to the Left Left Cyclone Left Tornado
14.	Little Star of the Big Dipper Small Star of the Literary God Little Chief Star
15.	The Whirlwind Moves to the Right Right Cyclone Whirling Wind Swings Sword
16.	Waiting for the Fish Relax and Wait for Fish
17.	Parting the Grass Looking for Snakes Looking for the Snake in the Grass Part the Grass to Look for Snake
18.	Holding the Moon Embrace the Moon Clasping the Moon to the Bosom
19.	The Bird Flies Into the Forest Bird Goes to Roost in the Forest Send the Bird Up Into the Tree
20.	The Black Dragon Whips Its Tail Black Dragon Waves His Tail Purple Swallow Inclines Wings
21.	The Wind Blows the Lotus Leaves The Wind Moves the Lotus
22.	The Lion Shakes Its Head The Lion Shakes His Mane Lion Nods Head
23.	The Tigress Holds Her Head The Tiger Puts His Head Between His Paws Tiger Covers Head
24.	The Wild Horse Jumps Over the Creek White Horse Leaps the Crevasse The Wild Horse Springs Over the Mountain Stream
25.	Rein in the Stallion Turn Around and Rein in the Horse Turn Body and Rein the Horse
26.	Step Up Step Forward - The Compass Needle Points South Step Up to Compass Needle
27.	The Compass Needle Step Forward - The Compass Needle Points South Step Up to Compass Needle
28.	Shaking the Duster in the Wind Wind Flicks the Dust Face the Wind, Brush Away the Dust
29.	Push the Boat with the Current Follow the Current, Push the Boat Send the Boat Downstream
30.	The Comet Flies by the Moon The Shooting Star Catches Up with the Moon Comet Chases the Moon
31.	The Heavenly Horse Gallops Across the Sky Heavenly Horse Travels the Void Celestial Horse Transverses the Void
32.	Roll Up the Screen Lift the Curtain Raise the Body and Lift the Curtain
33.	Cart-Wheel Sword to the Left and Right Left and Right Cart Wheels Sword Roll Sword Arms Like a Cartwheel
34.	Great Peng Spreads Wings The Mythical Bird Spreads Its Wings Great Roc Spreads One Wing
35.	Scoop Up the Moon from the Bottom of the Sea Fishing the Moon Out from the Bottom of the Sea Lifting the Moon From the Bottom of the Sea;
36.	Holding the Moon Embrace the Moon Clasping the Moon to the Bosom
37.	The Night Demons Explore the Sea Knight Demon Probes the Ocean; Yaksha Searches the Sea
38.	The Rhinoceros Gazes at the Moon Rhino Watches the Moon
39.	Shoot the Wild Goose Shooting the Wild Geese Turn Body, Shoot the Hawk;
40.	The White Ape Offers the Fruit The White Monkey Offers Fruit The White Ape Presents the Fruit
41.	The Phoenix Spreads Its Wings; Great Roc Spreads Wings
42.	Straddle and Cross Block to the Left and Right Left and Right Step Over Obstacle Halt - Left and Right With Step
43.	Shoot the Wild Goose
44.	The White Ape Offers the Fruit
45.	The Flowers Fall to the Left and Right Scatter Flowers to the Left and Right Left and Right Falling Flowers
46.	The Fair Lady Weaves with the Shuttle Fair Lady Threads the Shuttle Jade Girl Weaves Her Shuttle
47.	The White Tiger Swings Its Tail White Tiger Wags Tail White Tiger Hits with His Tail
48.	The Tigress Holds Her Head
49.	The Carp Jumps Through the Dragon Gate Fish Leaps the Dragon Gate Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Gate
50.	The Black Dragon Coils Around the Jade Pillar The Black Dragon Twists Up Pillar Black Dragon Twines Around the Pillar
51.	The Immortal Points the Way; The Holy Man Points Out the Way The Immortal Points Out the Road
52.	The Wind Sweeps the Plum Blossoms
53.	The Tigress Holds Her Head
54.	Presenting the Tablet Step Forward - The Compass Needle Points South Step Up and Point
55.	Transfer the Sword and Return to the Original Position Enfolding the Sword, Returning to the Beginning Rest the Sword, Close, Return to Wu Ji

Analysis and Descriptions
Classical 55 Movement Yang Style Straight Sword (Jian) Form

Disclaimer

Warning: Practicing with Sword Weapons Can Be a Dangerous Activity for Adults

    "This weapon appeared rather late in the Taiji repertoire being first taught in Beijing. The manuals of Wu Yu Xiang do not record a sword form even though there is a sword form in the current Wu Yu Xiang style syllabus. The manual only records the sabre and the spear/staff, this would be in keeping with the times where the sword had already played a lesser role in combat having largely been replaced by the sabre.
    The form that was handed down by the Yangs was recorded by in pictorial form by Chen Wei Ming who had studied under Yang Cheng Fu and by Chen Yan Ling who had studied under Tien Shao Ling who was a student of Yang Chien Hou and Yang Shao Hou. The form recorded by both are by and large identical and remains the most extent traditional form of Yang Taiji sword in practice today.
    The Chinese government also created a shorter sword form based on this traditional 56 posture form of the Yang family and taught it as a health exercises to the masses. It is much shorter and the postures have been rearranged somewhat."
- Peter Lim Tian Tek, Taiji Sword

There was a popular book on Taijiquan published in 1932 called "T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Sword, Saber, Staff and Dispersing-Hands Combined," by Chen Yen-lin (1906-), translated by Stuart Alve Olson. Maybe this is the book referred to above by Peter Lim Tain Tek.

"Without a thorough understanding of the taiji jian's basic cuts-the essential ingredients of jian practice, there can be no initial understanding of the form…If a student moving through the jian form is not familiar with how a jian cuts, what part of the blade is being employed and when, and the targets aimed at, then he certainly cannot practice the form in an exact, focused manner."
- Scott M. Rodell, Chinese Swordsmanship

    "Apparatus training is an essential part of the Yang Style Taijiquan curriculum. Of the two short weapons, Dao, or Sabre and Jian, or Straightsword used in Taijiquan’s syllabus, the latter is by far the most intricate and developed in its method. In martial lore the Straightsword is commonly respected as The King of Short Weapons. Known also as the narrow blade, or double-edged sword, the Straightsword was often seen in traditional Chinese culture as a way to cut through veils of illusion, ego and attachment and is associated with spiritual refinement as much as with martial efficacy. Straightsword masters, male and female, are frequently revered in Chinese history as both highly skilled martial heroes and illuminated people.
    A command of the tradition Taijiquan weapons, Sabre, Straightsword and Qiang, or Spear, enables practitioners to take the early concepts from barehand solo and partner work much further, bringing the work to higher levels of skill. This in turn matures the understanding of the early stages of the curriculum. For example, in the barehand work we come to understand the basic structure of the Gong Bu, or Bow Stance. This enables us to learn solo form and Push Hands drills correctly and progress to weapons training. But when we begin to study Sabre or Straightsword, we see that the Bow Stance behaves quite differently than in barehand circumstances. It often needs to be longer and narrower to support the use of the blade. Having learned and corporealized this we can then explore the stance variations in a barehand context which in turn enables us to develop new sword-like barehand skills. Thus in order to deepen understanding of barehand work, apparatus training is used.
-   Sam Masich, Way of the Tai Chi Sword

T'ai Chi Ch'uan 13 Straight Sword Techniques
13 Taiji Jian Techniques or Energies

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Complete Performance of the Classical 55 Taijiquan Sword Form in the Yang Style
Time	Performer	Source
4:33	Li Guang Qi	Tai Ji Sword (Yang Style 54 Forms) UTube Video, 2006.
4:53	Frits Van der Putten	Yang 54 Sword Form. UTube Video, 2007.
3:28	Scott M. Rodell	Yang Shi Taiji Jian. Video, 2003.
6:05	Yang Jwing-Ming	Taiji Sword, Classical Yang Style. DVD, 1999.
3:57	Yang Jun	UTube Video, 2004. The Sword Form: Flying Through Myth and Legend.





	Average Performance Time

Cloud Hands
T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong

55 Sword Form
Classical "Traditional" Yang Style Taijiquan Sword Form
Taijiquan Jian or T'ai Chi Ch'uan Chien (Gim): The Double-Edged Straight Chinese Sword

Research by
Michael P. Garofalo

Cloud Hands T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong

55 Sword Form Classical "Traditional" Yang Style Taijiquan Sword Form Taijiquan Jian or T'ai Chi Ch'uan Chien (Gim): The Double-Edged Straight Chinese Sword

Research by Michael P. Garofalo

Cloud Hands
T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Qigong

55 Sword Form
Classical "Traditional" Yang Style Taijiquan Sword Form
Taijiquan Jian or T'ai Chi Ch'uan Chien (Gim): The Double-Edged Straight Chinese Sword

Research by
Michael P. Garofalo