Why Study T’ai Chi Weapons?

T’ai Chi Ch’uan is a complete martial art and system of movement that encompasses solo practice, partner practices, and solo and two-person weapons practices. The T’ai Chi Solo Form is the crown jewel of the practice. It integrates martial movement and principles with the mindfulness of meditation and the breathing and slowness of Qigong. The T’ai Chi Solo Form produces a wide range of health benefits, from improving balance and reducing stress to increasing blood oxygen levels.

However, the Solo Form by itself does not provide upper-body development and strength training. T’ai Chi weapons are used to supplement this deficiency as well as to enhance many of the attributes developed in the Solo Form, such as balance; eye, hand, and foot coordination; mental focus and memory; and the development and projection of energy and power through the weapon. In its history as a martial art, T’ai Chi adapted both traditional military weapons (sword, broadsword, spear) and weapons that were commonly used by civilians (staff, cane, fan). Double sword, double broadsword, and two- and three-section staff were also taught in some schools. 

Around 300 AD, gunpowder was invented in China. It was used in fireworks displays for celebrations and ceremonies initially, but over the next several hundred years, military uses were discovered and developed, at first in primitive cannons and blasting materials and eventually in firearms. As gunpowder left China and traveled to the Middle East and Europe, more sophisticated weaponry utilizing gunpowder and other explosive materials eventually replaced human-powered weapons. 

T’ai Chi Ch’uan’s use of traditional weapons was initially connected to its martial origins and was used as an extension of the empty-hand techniques. A weapon’s shape, weight, length, and material dictated how it was used and connected to the body. This is still true in contemporary usage, as each weapon develops certain projections of energy based on how it is used. Think of a simple hammer or an axe to see clearly how the tool becomes an extension of the hand and a channel for the body’s energy. 

The practice of weapons brings T’ai Chi principles into a new context, and the body must adapt accordingly. In addition, many of the weapons have two-person practices that develop one’s sensitivity and timing in working with a partner. T’ai Chi weapons are also a lot of fun to practice.