Sword Imperatives--Mastering the Kung Fu and Tai Chi Sword

"Sword Imperatives is a beautifully written book with captivating stories, clearly described movements, photos, and illustrations."

The Chinese double edged sword is known in martial arts traditions as the king of blades. It is regarded by both scholars and martial artists as the most distinguished of all weapons. Sword ownership in ancient China represented power, prestige and rank.

Sword Imperatives is the authoritative reference book dedicated to the proper and effective use of the double edged sword. Whether you practice sword for health or for martial arts, you will find this book the foremost guide to mastery in sword skills. With practice, you will be able to move the sword in perfect balance and harmony like an agile phoenix twisting and turning effortlessly with grace and power.

This book includes:

*Brief philosophy and history of sword development

*29 essential sword movements and drills

*Green Dragon Kung Fu Sword routine

*32 Posture Tai Chi Sword routine

Grandmaster Wang, Ju-Rong: Grandmaster Wang (1928-2005) was born on November 4th, 1928 in Cangzhou County, Hebei Province, China. Her father, Wang, Zi-Ping named her, Ju-Rong, Ju to represent the fall birth and strength, and Rong to represent prosperity. It was Wang, Zi-Ping’s wish that his daughter would have a happy and prosperous life.

Grandmaster Wang began her training at age five in the skills of Wushu and traumatology. At a very young age, she would practice the physically demanding body conditioning training that her older classmates would do. She also trained with one of the heaviest of all Chinese weapons, the large Guandao, as her first weapon. Her tenacity was just like her father's was in his youth. She inherited the family trait of wanting to be a great martial artist, just like her father and generations before her.

From her father’s personal tutelage, young Ju-Rong developed a deeper and deeper interest in Wushu and traumatology. While in high school, she was already well-known throughout China in the martial arts community. In her youth she competed and won the Women’s Championship at the 7th China National Athletic Games, and gold medals in China National Wushu Competitions.

In 1952 Grandmaster Wang graduated from the Aurora University in Shanghai with a degree in physical education. After graduation, she became one of the founding professors of the East China Physical Education College. The college was later renamed as Shanghai Physical Education University, one of the most prestigious physical education universities in China. In 1960, Shanghai Physical Education University officially began the first Department of Wushu ever in China. Wang, Ju-Rong was appointed as head of this department. She developed the graduate programs in Wushu and was the first professor in the Physical Education University to graduate students with master’s degrees in Tai Chi Chuan.

Throughout her life, Grandmaster Wang, Ju-Rong and her father, Grandmaster Wang, Zi-Ping, dedicated their lives to promotion of Wushu and medicine. They were both members of the Wushu Competition Committee during the New China’s First National Athletic Meet in 1953. Wang, Zi-Ping was responsible for the leadership role. Wang, Ju-Rong was the judge and the announcer.

In 1955, Grandmaster Wang, married Dr. Wu, Cheng-De, a highly accomplished martial artist and professor of Traditional Chinese medicine.

In 1959, Wang, Ju-Rong was instrumental in the first compilation of the "Barehanded Compulsory Routine" and "Sword Compulsory Routine". She was personally responsible for the compilation of the "Narrow Blade Sword" and the "Double Sword", all of which were part of the required Wushu curriculum.

In 1960, Grandmaster Wang and her father were appointed to lead the New China Wushu Team, along with Premier Zhou En-Lai’s diplomatic delegation, to visit Burma. Wang, Zi-Ping was the head coach. Wang, Ju-Rong was the women’s coach. This was an historic event because it was the first time, since New China, that an official Wushu team had ever performed outside of China.

Grandmaster Wang, Ju-Rong was also an expert in archery. In the 1960’s she served as a judge in national archery competitions. It was very rare for any person to serve in a high level judging position in two national competitions. In 1979, Wang, Ju-Rong again became the first female Wushu coach to be invited to teach Taijiquan in Japan. She went to Japan on five separate occasions and taught Taijiquan and qigong in over 20 cities and towns. Her accomplishments throughout Asia had earned her the award of New China’s Pioneer in Sports and Wushu Contribution giving to her by China’s Department of Sport.

Grandmaster Wang served as the Director of the Chinese Wushu Association and the Archery Association. She was the Vice-Chairman of the Shanghai Wushu Association, head of the Judging Committee, and Vice-Chairman of the Shanghai Archery Association. She was the President of the C