AStar WarsForce power fromStar WarsLegendsthat was brought back into canon actually breaks all the rules Jedi should adhere to. The Jedi Order has a long and complicated history when it comes to combat and its ethics. On the whole, the Jedi strive to be nonviolent defenders of peace, but that’s difficult in a sometimes hostile galaxy with large conflicts, even during peaceful times like theHigh Republic Era.
As seen in almost everyStar Warsproject involving Jedi, the idealistically monastic knights often need to get their hands dirty in combat. On top of the usage of telekinetic Force abilities, Jedi almost always use lightsabers to fight, very rarely opting for a different weapon. One fallen Jedi in Legends, however, decided to forego lightsabers, fighting using an incredibly effective combination ofForce powersand martial arts.
Star Wars Canon Has Introduced The Force Power Of Shon-Ju
Force Martial Arts
The third issue ofThe High Republic: Shadows of Starlightby Charles Soule and Jethro Morales begins in 230 BBY, after a major loss for the Republic and Jedi Order: the fall of the legendary space stationStarlight Beacon. In the ensuing months, the Jedi aid outlying planets like Asternin, where Grand Master Pra-Tre Veter uses a lesser-known Force power called Shon-Ju to combatNihil pirate forces.
The agedJedi Grand Masterunleashes this ability, taking on an entire army of these Outer Rim pirates known as the Nihil with his bare hands. The Nihil attempt to lambaste the Tarnab Jedi for not having his lightsaber, but he doesn’t need it as his strikes are synced with powerful blasts of Force push. This createsan explosive and incredibly effective martial art centered around the Force, with Veter knocking down crowds and shattering glass with this unique Force power.
Shon-Ju’s Legends Origins Explained
Deadly Hands Of Shon-Ju
Shon-Ju was not a distinct ability inStar WarsLegends, though; it’s actually a character. He was aJedi Padawanduring the time leading up to the Clone Wars who never made it to the rank of knight due to his violent tendencies with the Force.Shon-Ju developed his own fighting style, which is what has been brought into canon, using the Force for physical combatand foregoing a lightsaber.
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Shon-Ju was first introduced in the graphic novelThe Clone Wars: Deadly Hands of Shon-Juby Jeremy Barlow and Brian Koschak. There, he meets Jedi Aayla Secura, whom he betrays, as he had fallen to the dark side while starting his own school to teach students his Force-based martial art. This is a big point of difference between Legends and canon, ascanon hasn’t shown Shon-Ju as a dark side ability, while Legends has decided that this type of combat is of the dark side indeed.
“A Jedi Uses The Force For Defense…”
Where Do Force Martial Arts Really Fall?
This distinction between the light and dark sides, and where this Force power falls, makes for an interesting discussion. In terms of basics, the Force was pretty clearly explained by Yoda inThe Empire Strikes Back, who says that “a Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack.“This undoubtedly defines the line, making Shon-Ju an ability the Jedi should avoid rather than pursue.
What does this type of combat do for a Jedi’s connection to the light side of the Force?
This lines up rather well with how Shon-Ju himself is depicted as adark-side userinThe Clone Wars: Deadly Hands of Shon-Ju; the title says it all. In the modern era ofStar Wars, however, there has been a lot more questioning of what Jedi should and shouldn’t be doing, and combat is often on that very chopping block. Jedi do always carry deadlylightsabers for combatpurposes. What does this type of combat do for a Jedi’s connection to the light side of the Force?
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Jedi have a responsibility to defend their Order, the Republic, and the lives of all beings. This sometimes involves combat, if someone threatens any of those things. Where, then, must the line be drawn? MostStar Warsstories have drawn it in attitude and willingness towards fighting.The character Shon-Ju sought to fight from the very beginning, which is different from Pra-Tre Veter, who used Shon-Ju’s technique to save livesand protect the citizens and other Jedi. In the end, Shon-Ju is a very nuanced concept that demonstrates just how complex the Force inStar Warsactually is.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
