Taiji Forum: Taijiquan, Qigong, Chinese Philosophy and…
#PhilosophicalFriday

On studying – NINE QUOTES – Tai Chi Sword 24

SHOOT FLYING GOOSE
by |Published

Quotes Tai Chi Sword

“The idea of ‘MUTO’ (which is) fighting an armed opponent when you are unarmed, which the Shinkage* School held as its ultimate goal, was largely the result of its rejection in principle of the destruction of the opponent. In that sense, the Shinkage School was pacifist.”

MITSUYOSHI
Tai Chi Sword
Tai Chi Sword

“The sword of the Shinkage School is not a Yang blade but a Yin (‘Kage’) blade. It does not employ any posture, its posture being posture-less. The position of the Shinkage School is to do things in response to the opponent’s moves. It is a school that aims not to take, not to win, and not to lose. In short, ‘Kage’ means rejection of offence in favour of defence, of outward manifestations in favour of inner workings, of the body in favour of the mind.”

MITSUYOSHI

“Men congratulate themselves upon familiarity with different styles of play, and do not think of that time as wasted when spent in the study of the bad as well as of the good.”

RICHARD BURTON

“I must again draw your attention to a golden rule in the study of the sword. The first preoccupation of the man who attacks, should be never so to commit himself, that if his attempt happens to miscarry, he cannot once more return to safety. In other words, never attack in such a way that you cannot defend yourself against the riposte.”

RICHARD BURTON

“Do not forget the beginning, in search of the end.”

SHISSAI

“He will be unhindered in his reactions in whom rigidity and suppleness flow into one another without force.”

SHISSAI

“A lesser Tengu asked the Master: ‘There is the hooked spear, the straight spear and the crossed spear, which one is the most advantageous?’ The Master replied: ‘That is a stupid question, it is the one that you use that is the most advantageous.’ “

SHISSAI

“If we subtract the Sword and subtract the Self, what we have left is the playing.”

BASIC TAOIST THOUGHT

“The Sword is the king of weapons.”

CHENG MAN CH’ING

*The Shinkage School was a Japanese School of Swordsmanship.

Author Ken van Sickle
Quotes Tai Chi Sword

Author and Images: Ken van Sickle

German version on our sister site!

AUTHOR

Taiji Forum Compilation
Taiji Forum is a non-profit project, realised by a small core team and fuelled by contributions of practitioners from all over the world. Being practitioners ourselves, we are fascinated by the rich heritage of the Chinese internal arts – and we want to share our passion with you! For more information read our "about us" article.

You may also like