Shaolin Sword
Shaolin sword forms, an advanced weapon
The Shaolin Sword
The straight sword (劍/jian) is one of Shaolin's 18 weapons. Each weapon uses a different combat repertoire, with its own distinct character and style.
The sword is hailed as the “king of short weapons,” emphasizing precision, speed, and control. It demands far more focus than the larger weapons.
“The smaller the weapon, the harder you must work. It takes deep concentration, and you exercise more from within.”
— Master Zhu
Watch the Shaolin Sword in Action
The Shaolin sword — king of short weapons
What You Learn in One Hour
Divided into 4 segments, from fundamentals to a full routine
Stretching & Warm-up
Prepare the body and stretch the arms, shoulders, wrists, back, and legs, because handling the sword requires flexibility and agility throughout the whole body.
Basic Sword Drills
Train fundamental techniques modeled on real combat with the sword. Basic kungfu stances matter a great deal, as they let you thrust and cut effectively.
Group Forms & Fencing
Group sword forms (集体剑) — practice the sword routine together as a group, building the skill of synchronizing rhythm with others and training unity, not just practicing alone.
Paired fencing (对剑) — in some classes Master Zhu teaches sword combat techniques, from footwork and stances to blocking and countering, drilled until they become rhythm.
The 达摩剑 Routine
Practice the 达摩剑 (Dá Mó Jiàn) — a Shaolin sword routine named after Bodhidharma (达摩祖师), founder of the Chan (Zen) sect at the Shaolin Temple.
This routine blends soft, flowing movements with explosive thrusts and cuts, conveying the spirit of Shaolin — focus and power as one.
Basic Sword Techniques
基本剑法 (Jīběn Jiànfǎ) — the fundamental techniques practiced in class
Gong Bu Ci Jian
From the ready stance, hold the sword at the hip, step into a bow stance, and thrust the sword straight ahead.
Liao Jian
Swing the sword from low to high in an arcing curve, training the wrist and timing.
Pi Jian
Cut the sword from high to low, using the sword's weight together with the power of the torso.
Dian Jian
Point the tip of the sword downward with a quick flick of the wrist to strike a specific spot.
达摩剑
Bodhidharma's Sword Form
Named after 达摩祖师 (Dámó Zǔshī), the monk from India who founded the Chan (Zen) sect at the Shaolin Temple. This routine is a classic Shaolin sword form that blends softness with force, focus with power.
“Kungfu and meditation come together. The essential goal is for kungfu and focus to become one. If they cannot become one, you will never be able to truly train.”
— Master Zhu
Principles of Sword Training
From the teachings of Master Zhu and Shaolin philosophy
心
The Mind Leads the Power
Mind and power move together. Wherever the sword reaches, the focus must reach as well.
A core principle of Shaolin kungfu
精
Precision Over Force
The sword is a light weapon that emphasizes precision, speed, and control over brute strength.
The nature of the sword
禅
Kungfu and Focus as One
If you learn kungfu you must have focus. Without focus, there is hardly anything we can do.
Master Zhu
修
Cultivating Inside and Outside Together
内外双修 — training the sword is not only technique but the development of the mind alongside the body.
The school's philosophy
One of Shaolin's 18 Weapons
Shaolin Temple disciples must master all 18 weapons, each with its own distinct repertoire.
Heavy Weapons
Such as the staff (棍) — uses great power, emphasizing impact and reach. It is the first weapon a Shaolin disciple learns.
Light Weapons
Such as the sword (劍) and fan (扇) — they demand more diligence, deep focus, and exercising from within more than from without.
Soft Weapons
Such as the chain — you must know which way the momentum swings and keep its direction under control.
“Shaolin has 18 weapons in all. This is 1 of those 18 weapons.”
— Master Zhu, on the show Krahai Lao
内外双修
Cultivating Inside and Outside Together
Training the sword is not just weapon technique. It strengthens the bones, muscles, and tendons together with mindfulness and focus, because when we perform the form our mind must stay with the movement and the breath.
Who Is It For
Class Schedule
1 hour per class · Closed on Mondays
Ready to start training the Shaolin sword?
Trial class 700.- just wear sportswear