Kung Fu Saber: The Tiger Leaps Book & DVD by Ted Mancuso

This is the third book in a series on the “four grandparent” weapons of Kung Fu. Since this is a story about a family of weapons, you might want to read the introduction to the spear book below. This will acquaint you with the idea behind the series. The same goals apply: as weapons skills increase so do all other skills, such as empty hands.

Each weapon of the quartet supports a corner of the Kung Fu temple while empty hands sit in the middle. I have tried to produce each book as though connected to the other pillars.

Weapons reveal their essence faster than hands. Every movement can have a terrible meaning. But without adhering to the special characteristics of each weapon there is only movement without meaning. Of all the grandparents, Saber is the most insistent. It demands that you do the movements with spirit as well as body. To boil it all down, I emphasized the two master-actions, Inward and Outward wrapping, using these to get at the saber’s character.

THE BOOK
When writing the text I tried to be most efficient choosing absolutely essential considerations of basics, forms and technique. We paid attention to what people most request: applications. In fact, right in the belly of the book there is an essay considering what the terms “applications” and “usage” really mean. I follow this up with two sections instead of one: applications and then usage. I hope you will be able see the difference.

The form is a real, traditional saber form, not—as you see nowadays—some other weapon form converted to a saber. It’s a good, well-constructed routine combining core actions with some higher challenges.

The final section has a few notes on the saber’s background and some things to consider overall.

THE DVD
Here I concentrated on three topics: the wrap, the form and real time applications. I refer to the wrap again and again because so much of the saber resides here, waiting for you to create the “silver bell” of protection. The form instruction is pretty much as I would teach you in one of my classes with the typical side-notes, principles and anecdotes. In the DVD we concentrate all basic training on the wraps and point out technicalities and insights into the Shaolin Pigua Saber.

As I write in the Introduction, “From the basics to the form to the applications and finally to free form training, you will find that the movements of the saber become extremely fluid and yet powerful in regard to turning, spinning and redirecting the path of the weapon…”

I hope you enjoy the effort and can benefit from the practice while having a good time.
-Ted

Partial Contents:
Basic Strikes
Inward and Outward Wraps
Some information about history and design
Stances from a weapons’ standpoint
Left Hand positioning and control
Angles and Directions
Right Hand placement
The Shaolin Pigua Saber Form
Applications
Usage
History, stories and comments

Length: 206 page book with DVD

SKU KK014