In Chinese swordsmanship, jian circles are considered an advanced technique. The practitioner follows the opponent’s weapon flow, using spiral movements to achieve simultaneous defense and offense—what’s known as “neutralize and strike in one motion.” The Shoubilu(Ming Dynasty’s fighting book) describes: “Three opening of swordsmanship: left, center, and right; right is tiger, center is snake, left is dragon,” illustrating how a thrust from the center opening should approach the opponent like a snake.

In treatises of German longsword traditions, loads of Winden techniques which are used in binding situation and loads of Schiessen examples which describe thrusts to the opponent are written. Practices of these techniques allow swordsmen be able to keep striking the opponent till defeat by continuous spatial occupation.

In this workshop, we will show how the Chinese and European swordsmanship interpret and apply the spiral movement respectively.

Master He Jinghan, fifth-generation inheritor of Baguaquan lineage, and Exiel Li, head instructor of Vor & Nach Historical European Martial Arts, our honourable guest instructors will lead this cultural exchange through martial arts, revealing the deep tactical connections between Eastern and Western swordsmanship.