SQUARE PEG, MEET ROUND HOLE.

I ask myself, does my IDEA that Wing Chun has only ‘one move’ transfer to the blades?

I finished my training this morning {Monday 23 / 08}, outside in that glorious sunshine, and I decided to do a little cleaning/maintenance of my sword collection, of course, once you take a sword from its scabbard, ‘Mars, the God of War’ decrees, it must be swung.

Like it or not, every Martial Artist is a Priest of Mars.

2 European ‘Hand and a Half’ swords, a Japanese Samurai Katana, a Pearl River Pirate Wakizashi, a Chinese Jian, an Indonesian Kris, and also, even though it is technically a Dagger, a Tanto.

I am always amazed, even though I should not be, how each sword feels so different.

As a Chef of 50 years, I am well aware and comfortable in the knowledge {the IDEA} that every blade has a different purpose, and that if you treat them poorly, or use them for a lesser purpose… they will bite you.

I have the scars to prove this.

The length, the weight, and the balance of each weapon lend themselves to very different visualisations.

The European Swords ask us to pierce aggressively, to smash and wield almost as a hammer.

The Katana is ‘so’ obviously built for cutting, slashing, slicing and dicing. Quick, lethal.

The Wakizashi conjurs up images of leaping from ships hacking anyone that stands in the way. A tool for strong men.

The Jian and the Kris both talk of mobility and elegance, of footwork and quick thinking. Of noble men and tribal princes.

Finally, the Tanto, close-quartered and possibly sneaky, to the point, if you will excuse the pun. An assassins choice.

I did not use any recognised FORM for my play, I let the blade decide what to do, and they all chose something different yet apt for my imagining.

Was it really the swords making these choices or were my actions the result of the movie I was playing in my head?

I ask myself, does my IDEA that Wing Chun has only ‘one move’ transfer to the blades?

Why not?

One thing I do know is that every time you play with a bladed weapon, be it a sword, a dagger, or a war axe, there is always a real purpose in that play.

A purpose that does not end well.

Later on, sitting quietly, absorbing, internalising what I had acted, how I had moved, and what was my intention, I could see the IDEA, the Sil Lim Tao, in my actions.

But is it really there, or am I trying to force a square peg into a round hole?

If it is there, as I believe it is, how do we manifest it into our everyday work?

There are only two forces in the world, the sword, and the spirit. In the long run, the sword will always be conquered by the spirit.

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE