Tian Gang Dao

This weekend Zhang Yun taught a seminar on the Tian Gang Dao 36 star form of long saber. It is a form passed down within Baiyuan Tongbeiquan and this weekend was the first time he has taught this form publicly. It has 36 techniques taught in 13 sections and dates from the mid 18th century. Zhang Yun’s Tongbeiquan lineage includes Li Shusen (1902-1975), who trained with Li Zhendong (1882-1977). This Tian Gang Dao form is the form taught by Li Zhendong, who taught members of the Chinese 29th Army sword skills during the Sino-Japanese War.

Tongbeiquan is a very practical and agressive style of martial arts, and is considered a mixture of external and internal approaches to martial arts. Tongbei is one of the major styles taught in Beijing (along with Bajiquan and Xingyiquan) but is not very wide spread in the West, as it was typically only taught to indoor disciples.

Tongbei is regarded as a very powerful long-range striking art which combines both internal and external aspects of training. My focus of practice is Xingyi, Bagua, and Taiji but I take a special interest in weapons practice, as I am continuing to practice Japanese koryū kenjutsu. By praciticing both Taiji Dao and Tongbei Dao I am beginning to develop an understanding of the common roots and structure of Chinese Dao and how the individual arts such as Taiji and Tongbei express their own ideas and principles within sword practice.