AXE TRAINING
FU - YUE - CH'I - CH'IANG
斧 - 钺 - 鏚 - 斨
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Axe training is an advanced weapon study taught at Imperial Combat Arts in Denver CO. This high level weapon study includes the use of the Chinese Axe (Fu 斧), Battle Axe (Yue 钺), Broad Axe ( 板斧), Two handed Axe (雙手鉞), Thrown Axes (飞斧), and Long Handled Axes (长柯斧). Some of these traditional Chinese weapons have been used in battle for thousands of years. This fully immersive Axe training includes drills, sets, forms, target practice, weapon matching, and contains a vast system of joint locks and throws.
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Chinese Axe Training at a historically accurate combat level is a very different study than the theatrical and acrobatic axe training seen in many modern Chinese martial arts schools. Our combat level Axe training has direct lineage to the battlefield, and can hold its own with, or surpass any other weapon system in the world, and blends seamlessly with our hand to hand, ground systems, and chin na, as a complete study.
IMPERIAL GUARD AXE
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SHORT AXE
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BROAD AXE
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DOUBLED SIDED AXE
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ANCIENT AXE
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TWO HANDED AXES
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VIETNAM TOMAHAWK
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THROWING AXES
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LONG HANDLED AXE
长柯斧
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CH'ANG K'EI FU
Long handled axes are generally categorized as pole-arms and Halberds. There are several styles and types of Chinese pole-axes. The heaviest of these Axes (depicted above) is called The Great Axe, Split Mountain Axe, or Xuanhua Axe, and is a full metal, Halberd length Axe, that is double-edged plus a spear tip. Only the strongest of men can wield this massive battlefield weapon. |
HAND AXES
掌斧
CHANG FU | ZHANG FU
There are several Specialty Knives and Hand Axes trained at Imperial Combat Arts. These weapons includes Deer Horn Knives, Mandarin Duck Blades, Wind & Fires Wheels, and Sun and Moon Knives. These unique axe/knives, that are used in pairs, are powerful close quarters weapons that can engage larger weapons. Unlike combat knives these superior weapons guard the hand. Enter Page> Hand Axe
There are several Specialty Knives and Hand Axes trained at Imperial Combat Arts. These weapons includes Deer Horn Knives, Mandarin Duck Blades, Wind & Fires Wheels, and Sun and Moon Knives. These unique axe/knives, that are used in pairs, are powerful close quarters weapons that can engage larger weapons. Unlike combat knives these superior weapons guard the hand. Enter Page> Hand Axe
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TRAINING AXES FOR COMBAT
History has proven that the Axe as a weapon can effectively contend with sword and spearmen in battle. Axes as primary fighting weapons come from the northern regions of the world where the Wood is strong and the winter cold. In these regions there is less vegetation to eat so most people are hunters eating lots of meat and fish and therefore usually large strong axe wielding people. This is the same for the Scandinavian, the Rus, the Mongolian, and the Manchurian who forged the Ch'ing Dynasty, the largest of all Chinese empires, and retained the Axe as a primary weapon for the powerful and elite Guard ranks.
DUAL AXE WIELDING
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Fighting with two melee weapons has been practiced by many cultures throughout the worlds history. Most traditional weapon styles in the world fight with one long, and one short weapon when dual wielding. The Chinese are unique in these systems in that for thousands of years their dual wielding was done with two full size or slightly shorter weapons of equal length. The Axe is no exception to this with the elite and feared Imperial Guard who often fought with dual axes.
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AXE & SHIELD
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The Axe and Shield is a powerful combination trained for combat. Chinese shields are round shields made of wicker and often covered in cow or horse leather. Our Masters today often prefer to line their wicker shields with soft body armor to make them capable of stopping pistol rounds, and/or stab proof fabric for increased combat protection against bladed weapons. Shield training also teaches the use of everyday objects for use in melee combat. Enter Page> Shield Training
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AXE STRENGTH TRAINING
Axe training strengthens the body to it's core and strengthens even the bones for combat. Dynamically swinging an Axe develops great forearm and grip strength and the routine shock of the Axe hitting it's targets creates dense bones. The Axes trained at Imperial Combat Arts vary in increasing weight to offer more and more extensive levels of conditioning. Masters of Axe at the school often train with Axes twice the weight of their combat Axe, then when fighting their standard Axe becomes almost weightless.
AXE FIGHTING DRILLS
Drills are an important part of training Axe. These drills teach primary grips, stances, maneuvers, chops, blocks, and captures, and build these important movements into the body as a second nature reflex. Weapon drills are done in the air, vs partners, dummies, and all types of specialized equipment. The intricate artwork painted on the floor of the school at Imperial Combat Arts is designed for students to drill attacks and defenses against multiple opponents in all 8 directions.
AXE COMBAT FORMS
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Axe forms are one of the primary ways Masters pass on the ancient knowledge, tricks, and secrets of axe-fighting to the next generation. These challenging forms teach dynamic flow, maneuvers, weapon handling, and numerous proven and effective techniques. There are 5 Axe forms taught at Imperial Combat Arts some with moves hundreds of moves, these forms are; Short Axe, Axe & Shield, Double Axe, Heavy Axe, and Long Handled Axe. Every move of these forms is a combat effective technique and practiced on opponents.
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AXE FIGHTING SETS
Dynamic sets allow students to learn effective techniques and Axe applications that could never be used in sparring. This repetitive partner interaction is one of the ways proven techniques are taught. There are hundreds of sets in our Axe Training system that teach the aggressive and deceptive ways in which an Axe is used in melee combat. At Imperial Combat Arts weapon sets are done vs multiple opponents, with realistic training weapons, as well as with padded weapons.
AXE CHIN NA
There are hundreds of effective joint locks, captures, and throws involved in Axe mastery at Imperial Combat Arts. Students practice these techniques on each other and on specialized throwing dummies that allow for more aggressive weapon applications to be developed. Chinese Chin Na is itself an advanced martial study, the Axe and its unique ability to capture, hook, and pull, as well as strike, adds a powerful dynamic to Chin Na that is important in fighting and controlling multiple armed opponents and their weapons.
AXE TARGETS
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Traditionally the first Axe wielding warriors were men who used the Axe in daily life. There are several Axe target dummies at Imperial Combat Arts designed to develop the same strength and understanding of the Axe.
These dummies include caged axe-throwing ranges and large hanging logs used to practice combat cuts with a live blade. Other dummies are used to develop accuracy and combinations of attacks vs. moving targets. Target practice is a fundamental part of weapon mastery. |
WEAPON MATCHING
Aggressive matching with training weapons is an important part of preparing for the chaos and fray of battle. Most all matching done at our school, whether armed or unarmed, is done versus multiple opponents. Advanced students match on rough or uneven real world terrain. These intense matching sessions are designed to be painful, yet safe, and push practitioners ever forward in skill. Aggressive weapon matching can only be done safely with padded weapons and armor.
AXE VS OTHER WEAPONS
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Aside from Axe vs Axe, there are numerous traditional sets to teach how the Axe can manipulate and defeat other types weapons. Some of these pairings are legendary such as Axe vs Sword and Axe vs Spear. Additionally learning how to use Axes vs long weapons, and dual wielding, is an important part of melee weapon mastery. These important concepts and lessons transfer directly to empty hand tactics, such as fighting against superior reach, and hooking or pulling in combat.
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AXE HAND TOUGHENING
There are highly toughened hand and finger weapons developed in the arts that allow Axe Masters to use their extensive Axe techniques with their empty hand. This high level hand toughening can take years to master. At the highest level masters of these arts demonstrate chopping through baseball bats and concrete with the edge of their hand. With this strength they can launch full force strikes using similar techniques and maneuvers as those mastered with their Axe. Enter Page> Hand Toughening
IRON GLOVE & AXE
Iron Glove is one of the powerful controlling systems trained in The Art of Grey Cloud at Imperial Combat Arts. This fighting style uses controlling methods and hooking similar to Axe with the empty hand, and strikes with highly toughened fingertips and the blade of the hand. This style which has some similarities to Mantis Kung Fu again allows for Axe fighting techniques to be used with the empty hand, and prepares students for the powerful ways in which hooking style weapons have been used on the Chinese battlefields for centuries.
Enter Page> The Art of Grey Cloud
Enter Page> The Art of Grey Cloud