Wooden Personality

Finally attached some thread to my wooden sword and give it some character.

Went to the fabric store and found some decent yellow rope to go with the gold tassel (there was blue and orange fleecy there too!).  While Chinese swords commonly now have 2 tails on the end, Chen Tai Chi Swords have one.  I didn't discover that for the longest time.  Regardless, why would you equip a weapon, even a civil weapon, with such a flowery decoration?

According to my research, it was originally a just cord tied up used as a lanyard during fencing.  Naturally the ends would fray after some use and would eventually start resembling a tassel.  The frayed ends imply the wielder as a sword master and eventually the style caught on.  Swordsmen would intentionally fray the ends and make them bigger and bigger, and more and more pronounced.

It makes sense to me.  Right?  Fast forward to today...

Unfortunately, the tassels that come with most swords nowadays are so lousy that it is impossible to use them as they were originally intended or even as stylistic flare.  The length is often too long, making it difficult to bust a move without it getting tangled up around your wrist.

Now, you know I love Jet Li, I really do.  He twirls sword and tassel all awesome in Fearless, but that's movie magic.  It was choreographed with take after take.  I even noticed him holding the sword with a grip that would easily lose him a finger in combat.  The grip looks great nevertheless!  Again, movie magic.  Jet needs to look good!  And he does!

One last ramble.

It has been suggested that some schools have steel wire braided into the tassel to scrape your opponents face and in an attempt to blind him.  I strongly disagree.  That’s like taking a can of mace along with your M16 rifle in a war.  Why the hell would you... ok, ok.  I do not doubt the skills of some grand masters.  I am only saying I'd rather fight  with 2 and a half feet of razor than whip a twisty tie and be forced to dodge my own blade the entire time.

But on the other hand if you do manage get all fancy and blind me with the non-pointy end of a sword, you are indeed a true sword master.  And I really deserved it.

A tassel looks good, gives the sword personality, and can probably be used as a training tool.  But when the zombie apocalypse comes, that's the first thing I take off.  You made it this far in my rant, thanks.  'Preciate it.