3 Section Staff (Sam Jit Gwun)

A Bodyguard's Best Friend

The Three-Section Staff is one of the most difficult and versatile weapons within the Chinese Martial Arts. Typically thought of as a Northern Chinese weapon, the Three-Sectioned Staff can be used as both a short range weapon and as a long, flexible whip-like weapon. Only a few Traditional Chinese Martial Systems teach Three-Sectioned Staff sets. Choy Li Fut is the only Southern Chinese system to teach this devastating weapon.

History

Before Chao Hong-Yin became the first Emperor of the Sung Dynasty (960 A.D.) he was a Shaolin trained Martial Artist known throughout Northern China for his expertise as a bodyguard and escort. Once while guarding a lady of the Royal family and her entourage on a journey to Beijing they were attacked by five bandits. Chao quickly turned and struck the first attacker in the head with his "gwun" (staff). Such was the force of the blow that it broke Chao's favorite weapon into two pieces - one long and one short. The bandits were awestruck by Chao's skill and power and fled into the forest. Naturally, Chao was displeased with the condition of his precious staff but in the next town he had the local Blacksmith reconnect the two pieces with iron rings and created the first "Dai-Si-Jo" or "Two-Section Big Stick".

Unfortunately, the long section of the staff had been weakened during the attack and it soon broke in twain. Once again Chao had the broken sections rejoined and consequently created the world's first "Sam-Jit-Gwun" or "Three-Section Staff".

Chao realized the devastating potential of his new weapon -- it was small and easily carried and conceiled, it could be used for poking or striking like a broadsword, it could be used as a whip and it was very useful for joint-locking techniques.

Chao's fame with this weapon spread and soon other escorts and bodyguards were using the "Three-Section Staff" also. It soon became the signture weapon of escorts who would carry a banner with a picture of the weapon as a warning to potential thieves that the person or persons being guarded were well-protected by a highly-trained Martial Artist.

Techniques

There are 10 primary techniques that characterize the "Three-Section Staff".

Wu-Lung-Bai-Mei - "Black Dragon Swings His Tail" is a powerful technique in which one end of the Staff is held and the other sections are swung furiously from front to back or from back to front and slammed against the ground.

Bat-Wong-Tit-Jang - "Iron Elbow" is a technique in which the two end sections are held and the iron-ringed joints are used to strike the opponent.

Dak-Seh-Gun-Mei - "Poison Snake Coils His Tail" is a powerful technique in which one end of the Staff is held in one hand and the middle section in the other hand then the free end is spun in front of the body.

Wu-Dip-Seung-Fei - "Double Flying Butterfly" is a vertical figure-eight flower in front of the body.

Suet-Fa-Koi-Ding - "Snowflakes Covering the Top" is a circular strike in which one end is held and the Staff is swung over the head.

Moi-Fa-Hoi-Fong - "Plum Blossom Open Blocking" is an "over the head" flower similar to Tau-Ding Fa in which the staff is held in the middle section and spun over the chest and back while alternating leaning back and then forward.

Jor-Yao-Lao-Sing - "Left and Right Falling Star" is a powerful technique similar to the Long Staff technique Wang-Sow-Gwun. The "Three-Section Staff is held with both hands by the middle section then by turning the waist the weapon is whipped from side to side destroying anything in its path.

Poon-Lung-Gwun - "Coiling Dragon" is a technique in which the Staff is swung and allowed to coil around the body.

Lung-Fu-Wui - "Dragon-Tiger Grab" is a versatile technique in which the two end sections are held one in each hand. While one is used for blocking the other is used for striking. The middle section may also be used to block or strike in harmony with the two end sections.

Lo-Shu-Poon-Gwun - "Coiling Around the Tree Roots" is a low sweeping attack used to take an opponent off of his feet.

The "Three-Section Staff" is perilous weapon which requires years of training to master. It is said that the "Staff" is difficult to master but the "Three-Section Staff" is three times more difficult.

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