Weapon House

Chicken-claw

Jī Zhuǎ Lián (Traditional 鷄爪鐮 Simplified 鸡爪鐮 – “Chicken-Claw Sickle”). The chicken-claw sickle was constructed from a chicken claw-like piece of metal, along with a spear head, on a length of stick. Its length was about 1.5 ft. The details of this weapon are unknown.

This sickle is more similar in appearance to the Okinawan Kama, with the addition of a spear head.

Chicken-saber

Jī Dāo Lián (Traditional 鷄刀鐮 Simplified 鸡刀鐮 – “Chicken-Saber Sickle”). This weapon was also called the Kǔn Huā Yāo Zi (Traditional 綑花腰子 Simplified 捆花腰子 – “Binding Flower Waist Carry"). The reason for this optional name is unknown. According to legend, this weapon was created by the founder of Xinyi, Ji Long Feng (姬隆丰), and it became the special weapon of this style. It was made from metal and its length was about 2.5 Chi [32 inches].”^[1][2]

This sickle is more similar in appearance to the Hook sword and has a double-edge like a Jian. There are several variations of this weapon. All have the distinctive hook and chicken "spur" on the head, but the sword blade is sometimes shortened to a small metal pole-arm. (example) It is used for close-quarters combat.

One noted practitioner of the Chicken-Saber Sickles was Xinyi Liuhe Grandmaster Lu Songgao (卢嵩高) (d. 1962), one of the "Three Heroes from Zhoukou".^[3][4] Xinyi Liuhe and Wu style Taichi master Dr. Stephen Yan (Yan Zhi Yuan), weapons champion of the First National Xinyi Liuhe Competition held in Henan Province in 2000, is pictured below wielding the Chicken-Sabers.

Photos

Drawing of the "Chicken-Claw Sickles".	Shaolin Monk Shi De Jian playing a variation of the Chicken-Claw with an extra “moon-spade” hand guard. © Kung Fu Magazine	Close up picture of the full-size “Chicken-Saber Sickle”. © http://www.tai-chi.co.nz	Double Chicken-Sabers. © http://www.tai-chi.co.nz
Xinyi Liuhe Master Dr. Stephen Yan (Yan Zhi Yuan) showing a series of Chicken-Saber stances. © http://www.tai-chi.co.nz	© http://www.tai-chi.co.nz	© http://www.tai-chi.co.nz	© http://www.tai-chi.co.nz
Shaolin Monk Shi De Cheng playing a variation of the Chicken-Saber. © russbo.com