Japan’s Imperial Army: Its Rise and Fall, 1853-1945
Japan’s Imperial Army: Its Rise and Fall, 1853-1945 by Edward J. Drea. Published by University Press of Kansas Modern War Series, Lawrence, Kansas. 2009, 314 pages.
The Chinese Hook Sword is also known as the Shuanggou. It is often referred to as a the Tiger Head or Tiger Hook Sword. This weapon is commonly used within the Northern Chinese Martial Arts scene, but lately has been used by the Southern Chinese as well. It is not easy to get good information on Hook Swords. Some people believed that they originally dated way back to the Song Dynasty around 1000 AD, and others believe they started being used more extensively in the Qing Era around 1600 AD.
This weapon was used exclusively by Civilians, but they didn't show up in any of the Chinese Armament listings. Although this weapon was very sharp it was a rare weapon. The the learning curve to use it was steep, so most experts didn't believe they were used as military weapons but on rare occasions. Ther term Tiger Hook Sword translates to the "Heaven and Sun Moon Sword".
The Chinese Hook Sword is similar to the Jian, which is a Straight Sword which has Double Edges. It is believed that these blades where thicker and unsharpened and had a prong or hook attached to them that was near the tip. The Guards on these weapons did a great job of protection, and in pairs they were used as Butterfly Swords. The hook was used to catch weapons and to trip enemies. It was also a very powerful slashing device. The end of each hilt were also sharpened into Daggers.
The Crescent Guard did a great job at slashing and blocking. The use of the Chinese Hook Sword was taught mostly at Northern Schools like the Northern Shaolin as well as the Seven Star Mantis. However they were also taught by some Southern Schools like the Choy Lay Fut. Linking Paired Weapons is a flashy technique used in Modern Martial Arts training so that the two swords form into one which they can weild at their opponents.
A similar weapon is sometimes referred to as Deer Horn Knives. These have a main hook that is a lot shorter and is sometimes even missing. When teaching how to use this weapon, the main focus is on cutting and stabbing.
Let Brian Garvin & Jeff West teach you more about the Samurai Katana Sword and the Sword Letter Opener on our website today.
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