WCI Review - Todd Taganashi - Wing Chun Butterfly Swords: Vol. 1 Ip Man Lineage Form

The proverbial "pot of gold" that signals a comprehensive end to many practitioners' journey as a student is the learning of the Wing Chun Butterfly Swords. The coveted weapons hold a connection with traditional Chinese Kung Fu heritage within the Wing Chun branch and throughout other styles of Southern China origins.

Sifu Todd Taganashi shares his unique approach to learning, understanding, and training the twin blades from his training hall throughout a continuous 82-minute run-time.

Sifu Taganashi brings us into his training facility adorned with a variety of other Chinese Kung Fu weaponry to perform the Butterfly Swords form in its entirety. Exhibiting consistency of control and blade management, Sifu Taganashi plays through each technique and section with learned attention to detail as demanded by the implements and the requirements for one to become proficient with the blades.

"The Butterfly Sword form is divided into eight sections," prefaces the presenter before diving into each of the sections' movements, the respective terminologies, and the breakdowns of each. This also includes the employed angles, footwork, fighting positions, stances and activity that support one's ability to wield and practice the swords with control and efficacy. "Particularly in blade combat, you will find yourself in one of two positions: An open or closed position… when engaged in a blade combat situation."

Sifu Taganashi is passionate about the blades and sharing both his information and application against another (a cooperative student) wielding the same weapons, "To show some of the potential applications," for the technique that is the focus for that moment. Not every action is explored for its supporting concepts, range of motion, and application. Still, Sifu Taganashi focuses on those with the most immediate, practical applications with the reasoning that the expanded combat applications will be explored in another video.

Along the way, various individual and partner drills to develop the attributes of wielding the Butterfly Swords are shared that complement a specific section but work toward one's overall development. Sifu Taganashi's focus and fluidity with using the weapons is clear with each new partner demonstration. As we progress, the video is ramped up and evolves; as does the intensity with more lively interactions supporting the desired incapacitating effects that using the weapons, or some apparatus as a substitute such as sticks, would have on the would-be armed attacker.

Sifu Todd Taganashi cuts fast and furious through the instructional video, which will find the interested Butterfly Swords' practitioner slowly dissecting its offerings to get a handle on every single point.

Todd Taganashi - Wing Chun Butterfly Swords: Vol. 1 Ip Man Lineage Form
Language: English
Running Time: Approx. 82 min.
Availability: This title is no longer available for sale