Dragon Walking Swordsmanship: The Heritage of General Qi

A Tradition Born in Conflict

Dragon Walking Swordsmanship and the martial systems associated with General Qi Jiguang were not born in comfort. They were forged in an era of instability, shaped by necessity, and preserved through disciplined transmission.

During the Ming Dynasty, the eastern coast of China—particularly Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Fujian—faced repeated attacks from wokou raiders. Coastal communities were left vulnerable to violence, loss, and destruction.

From this period of crisis emerged General Qi Jiguang, one of the most important military commanders in Chinese history.

Qi did more than lead men into battle. He transformed farmers, laborers, and ordinary civilians into a disciplined and highly effective fighting force. Through tactical innovation, rigorous training, and a deep understanding of what actually worked under pressure, he helped bring the pirate threat under control and left a lasting mark on Chinese martial culture.

The material associated with his legacy carries that same spirit: practical, refined, and forged through real need.

The Art of Dragon Walking Swordsmanship

Originally known as Qi’s Dragon Walking Swordsmanship, this system reflects the distillation of battlefield understanding into refined martial expression.

Its essence lives through three core qualities:

Fluidity
Movement is continuous, coiling and uncoiling like a living thing. Nothing is stiff, forced, or disconnected.

Adaptability
Hard and soft do not oppose one another. Strength is expressed without rigidity. Yielding occurs without collapse.

Continuity
Each movement gives rise to the next. Technique is not performed in fragments, but linked through timing, intent, and flow.

Though its name evolved over time, the heart of the system remained the same: a living method rooted in function, precision, and transmission.

A Lineage Preserved Through People

For generations, this material was not preserved through books, diagrams, or written manuals.

It survived through people.

Through repetition.
Through correction.
Through memory.
Through the bond between teacher and student.

This is part of what makes the tradition so rare. It was not built for mass consumption. It was carried forward by those willing to train, remember, and embody it.

That is what makes direct access to this material meaningful.

What This Seminar Offers

Dragon Walking Swordsmanship: The Heritage of General Qi is a four-part seminar series dedicated to the study and preservation of this martial tradition.

Part I serves as the foundation.

Over the course of this two-day intensive, students will be introduced to the historical context, core principles, and foundational material that underpin the system. This is not simply a demonstration or overview. It is the beginning of a progressive training series designed to build understanding over time.

What You’ll Receive in Part I

Part I is structured to give students both the historical grounding and practical foundation needed to begin serious study of Dragon Walking Swordsmanship.

Over the course of this two-day intensive, attendees will receive:

• 2 full days of instruction

• 10 total hours of live training

• direct teaching from Sifu Kisu

• a certificate of completion for Part I

• access to exclusive New York Jianghu merchandise options

• optional attendee-only video access

Day 1: Foundations

Day 1 will focus on key exercises, drills, and the fundamental basics of Jian Shu, along with the historical background of the form and its connection to the martial heritage of General Qi.

Day 2: First Section of the Form

After a brief warm-up, Day 2 moves directly into the form itself. Students will begin learning the first section of Dragon Walking Swordsmanship and start applying the principles introduced on Day 1 through guided instruction and repetition.