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Home | Forms and Drills | Bart-Cham-Dao |
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Bart-Cham-Dao
Introduction | History | Strength Training | Section 1 | Drills and Applications | Concepts and Theories
The final training stage for the Wing Chun system is called Bart-Cham-Dao (pronounced bart-chahm-dow). Meaning "Eight-Cutting Broadswords," the Bart-Cham-Dao is considered the "crown jewel" of the system. As with the Biu-Tze, some have spent their entire Wing Chun careers and have never learned this form. More than a few stories exist as to how the Bart-Cham-Dao came to be included in the Wing Chun system, but even with a quick glance can one see how it's been adapted to fit our concepts and striking methods. In fact, it very closely resembles an armed method of the Wing Chun empty-hand fighting concepts, and that's exactly what it's about.Most martial arts include a variety of forms for their weapons that differ greatly from their empty-hand methods. The empty-hand forms are such that the body is positioned differently, held differently, moves differently, reacts differently, whereas all of this (or rather, most of this) is something quite other than when performing with a weapon. Wing Chun, however, takes the stance that fighting with a weapon should be little to no different than the empty-hand method. Why? Because of concept. Not everything will be exactly the same, of course. After all, one look at the Luk-Dim-Boon-Kwun and you'll readily see that the stances are different, as well as the techniques. They've been adapted to fit this longer weapon. Still, the concepts are relatively close. And the same holds true for the entire system, with the Bart-Cham-Dao being the culmination of this effort. The double knives are approximately 1-1/2lbs. each in weight and are generally about 1 foot in length. Their construction differs from the standard Southern butterfly knife in that we also have a small hook on the front of the hand guard. Originally used for trapping longer-range weapons while closing in, the hook can also be used for trapping the blade of an opposing knife. While some Wing Chun lineages do flip the knives or circle them (as is commonly seen with Japanese weapons like the sai), we do not teach this specific concept. Anytime the blade is not towards the opponent, you open a hole in your defense for the opponent to attack through. Since we always want to remain offensive, this puts us at a grave disadvantage, and therefore, we never flip the knives backwards or circle them. Those that "do," however, call this movement Huen-dao, or "Circling-knife." The history of how the double knives were introduced to the system is said to be by Yim Wing Chun and Leung Bak Chau, who learned the form from the daughter of Miu Hin (one of the surviving elders from the Siu-Lam [Shaolin] monastery). At the time, the broadswords (actually two knives, approximately 18" in length and almost 2 lbs. each) were in the form of a Shaolin fighting knife set. Yim Wing Chun and Leung Bak Chau, however, adapted the knives to the concepts of Ng Mui's empty-hand method. As with training in the Luk-Dim-Boon-Kwun, training in the Bart-Cham-Dao first begins by creating the necessary strength and coordination for handling the knives.
Not only is sufficient wrist and arm training essential, but also conditioning of the lower body for incorporating the advanced footwork found in this form. For example, many are unaware that crossing long distances via the Triangular-step is actually a footwork movement from the Bart-Cham-Dao. Therefore, strength and flexibility with these long-range patterns must be mastered prior to learning the knife form itself. Section 1 of Bart-Cham-Dao begins our training in how to handle the various angles of an edged weapon. Consisting of Jut-dao, Tan-dao and Gaun-dao, we learn basic yet important principles for working simultaneous weapons with our turning (very important qualities when fighting with weapons).
The sections of the Bart-Cham-Dao vary from school-to-school, as well as lineage-to-lineage. Essentially, however, the Bart-Cham-Dao is a progressive set, beginning with short-range knife fighting and culminating with "crossed" movements designed to span the length of long weapons such as the spears, staffs, etc. After the entire form is learned, we then progress to various drills for a step-by-step learning of their drills and applications. As one section become competent, the next section of the form is learned, followed by its accompanying drills and curriculum. Wing Chun's weapons are closely patterned after the empty-hand concepts. For example, the Tan-dau and Gaun-dao movements demonstrated below are similar in nature to the Siu-Nim-Tau's Tan-sau ("Palm-Up arm") and Gaun-sau ("Splitting-Block arm") movements.
Even a quick look at any Bart-Cham-Dao application will immediately tell you that the Wing Chun knives are utilized in generally the same way that the empty-hand movements are used. The only difference is that the blade is used instead of the hand or arm. This allows for a smooth and easy translation of empty-hand to armed applications. Although the handle is used by some lineages, the AWCA does not teach this; instead, our concept for the handle is only for protecting the hand. We prefer to strike with the blade itself vs. any other area of the knives.
The double knives are the highest culmination of armed skill and in order to use them properly, one must have a thorough understanding and practical ability in Wing Chun empty-hand fighting. This also includes adequate training and a working comprehension of the Luk-Dim-Boon-Kwun. Knife Concepts vs. Empty-hand Concepts In most arts, the empty-hand forms and weapons forms are night-and-day. You could become proficient in empty-hand fighting, but then have to learn a completely different method for handling a weapon. With Wing Chun, however, the same concepts apply, regardless of what we are handling. "Flipping" the Knife Backwards As mentioned previously, some practitioners "flip" or circle the knives backwards, whereas others insist that the knife should never do this. Although preferring the latter method, I "have" seen practitioners who flip the knives backwards and have no doubt that they can utilize their skills. It is interesting, however, to see such variation among the styles.
Although the Bart-Cham-Dao is the last formal stage for a Wing Chun practitioner, by no means does the journey end there. On the contrary, learning what this curriculum teaches will expand every other element of the system to their absolute extremes. If you want to really learn what the Bart-Cham-Dao is about, then I recommend checking out Volume 7: Bart-Cham-Dao of the AWCA's eBook Training Series. This in-depth, photo and video-illustrated training workbook includes the COMPLETE Bart-Cham-Dao curriculum. Rather than a "watered-down" demo or just bits and pieces, Volume 7: Bart-Cham-Dao includes the complete form, all of the drills, all of the applications, and an in-depth step-by-step breakdown of the concepts and theories. And... not only does it take you step-by-step through the "formal" Wing Chun curriculum, but you will also learn how its knife fighting tactics are applied to present-day edged weapons and situations.
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