Weapon of the Week

[Drunk Monk]

I always liked the monk spade. 

My personal theory is that monk spades are made up, descended from opera. It’s symbolic but it’s associated with monks so I’d like to learn it anyway. I have a nice one. Here’s my monk spade cover story - http://www.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/a...ticle=1042

The point I was working towards with my Qi Jiguang tale earlier is that Miao dao were so big that if you shouldered one, you couldn’t draw it, even with gorilla arms. So there were established patterns - like forms - that were taught as military drills where you partnered with a fellow soldier and each drew each other’s sword. I always found that’s hilarious.

That Gale Wind moves like its namesake. I love it. It is now my favorite jian. I cut at a fern that had been growing across a path and it lopped the leaves so cleanly I could hardly feel it. I need to cut something more substantial.