Tek-Vothiam is the physical aspect of the traditional Jin martial art Ir-Vothiam. It involves two branches which must be simultaneously mastered: the individual practice known generally as Invoth and a grappling-based close-combat discipline known as Exvoth.
Invoth
The individual practice of Tek-Vothiam - all about honing one's own body and physical control, and is focused on steadiness, breathing, core strength and fluidity of movement.
Exvoth
The close-combat practice of Tek-Vothiam - efficiency of action against another and translating the Invoth philosophies into close-combat techniques which, if done correctly, can be savage. It tends to be mainly focused on joint locks and personal defense, though more advanced Tek-Vothiam may also involve staffs and eventually swords with which to take part in combat, but the requisite spiritual understanding must be demonstrated before this is permitted, just as the body must be disciplined in Eit-Vothiam before certain stages of spiritual learning are allowed to take place. And of course, honorable execution techniques are of the utmost importance.
Vohzen
In each discipline, the 'poses', 'frames' or positions are called Vozhen - specific techniques or poses through which the body naturally moves. Examples include:
- Grasp Rosewing's Tail
- Single Whip
- Dusk Yibis Spreads Wings
- Strum the Zitar
- Step Up, Deflect, Parry, Punch
- Appear to Close Entrance
- Carry Beast to Mountain
- Ward off Ezoujo
- Thread Needle through Shroud
- Draw in T'rath's Gift
- Part Feiyen's Mane
- Weaver Works the Loom
- Gather Kith in Storm
- Creeping Snake
Both Invoth and Exvoth can be practiced in many ways, and different techniques have developed over the years. They may also be mixed and matched as mutually decided by a student and their Kivatha, though most Jin choose one style for each aspect, many choosing just one discipline with which to practice the introspective and interactive aspects of Ir-Vothiam. including the following:
Pia'dao ("the dance")
A smooth, slow, and primarily meditative tradition. It is a graceful art that weaves the body fluidly through space, prioritizing the spirit in sync with the body. Pia'dao is perhaps the most beautiful form to watch.
Zhe'fei ("flying shroud")
Popular with the youth, this tradition features a ranged complexity of movements. There are fast releases and jumping kicks, requiring athleticism and thus a chance to showcase one's ability in a more daring way. This is often used in historical reenactments as it reads well from a distance.
Li'gon ("tribute")
This tradition has almost died out of knowledge and use. The few masters reside on the Blood Ark in a state of revered seclusion. It is incredibly
advanced and useless to non-Jin, focused almost entirely on the deatheye and its connection to the rest of the Jin body and being.
Huo'zha ("held comet")
Distinct with small, compact movements, this tradition was developed for close-quarter combat typical of ships and urban environments. It is intense and forceful, and exercises small muscle groups with precision. Few outside of the military practice it.
Hun'shu ("hybrid" or less respectfully, "watered")
This style is the most recognizable by those outside of Jin culture. It is a modified tradition developed through diplomacy, as those of the Ark shared with their newfound allies of Scatterhome. Combining aspects of the other traditions, it is a very basic introduction to Ir-Vothiam that true practitioners would equate to learning the alphabet rather than composing poetry.
Tu'an 'Patterns'
This is the term used for specific transitions between vozhen, which teach application or choreographic technical displays. This is where the term Pattern Plays comes from - traditional Jin theater performances which meld the retelling of historical stories, with the beautiful movements of Tek-Vothiam.
Ir-Enzhi
A popular Exvoth game based on binary stars. Those who play brace their forearms against each other, and try to make touches upon the other's torso as 'strikes' without breaking contact from each other.