The straightsword (jian) is a double-edged straight sword used in wushu. The discipline is called Jian Shu (straightsword art). It is commonly practiced by women, although men with good back and shoulder flexibility also excel in this form.
Practitioners of jian typically also train with the spear (qiang). Traditionally, the wushu straightsword was a stiff and heavy weapon, but modern jian are lightweight and flexible, with thin blades. This change allows for the fast movements and acrobatic jumps that modern wushu demands.
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The wushu straightsword is primarily a stabbing weapon, but it also incorporates slicing techniques.
It was designed for close combat in environments where longer weapons like spears were impractical—such as forests.
Hold the straightsword in your right hand. You can either grip the handle with your index finger wrapped around one side of the hilt, or place the upper part of the handle between your index finger and thumb (without wrapping the index finger around the hilt).
Length:
When standing upright with arms relaxed, the distance from the hilt to the tip of the sword should match the distance from your wrist to your ear—or be slightly longer.
Weight:
For modern wushu, the straightsword should be as light and flexible as possible. A taiji straightsword can be slightly heavier and more solid, though some performers prefer ultralight, flexible versions for freestyle forms. Heavy, stiff jian are now mostly used for decoration or traditional routines without acrobatics.
Learn the basics of wushu, including jumps and longfist forms, before beginning weapon training.
If you choose to study straightsword, it’s recommended to also train with the spear (Qiang Shu).
