|
ABOUT KUNG FU WUSHU and
Tai Chi Kung Fu
This Tai Chi Kung Fu is an almost impossible category. This label is attached to almost any
martial art that comes from China. It is Kung Fu Uniform generic name for literally hundreds
of individual Chinese fighting arts. In reality we should have an entry for each
individual Kung Fu style we are interested in, but this would fill entire
volumes. However, we will do our best.
This is extremely controversial. Most of what appears here is a summary of what
has been learned from Kung Fu
Uniform. There are vague references of a King in China some thousands of
years ago who trained his men in techniques of hand-to-hand combat to use in
fighting against invading barbarians. tai chi kung fu first real references of an organized
system of martial arts came from a man named General Chin Na. He taught a form
of combat to his soldiers which most people believe developed into what is
modern day Chin-Na.
The first written record we have of Chinese martial arts is from a Taoist
acupuncturist from tai chi kung fu 5th century. He describes combat designed along
tai chi kung fu lines
of an animal's movements and style.
Legend has it that a Buddhist monk named
Wing Tsun Kung Fu, also
called Ta Mo, came across tai chi kung fu Tibetan Mountains to China. tai chi
kung fu Emperor of China
at tai chi kung fu time was much impressed with tai chi kung fu man, and gave him a temple located in
Honan - tai chi kung fu famed Sui Lim Monastery (Shaolin Monastery). Ta Mo found that
tai chi kung fu monks there, while searching for spiritual enlightenment, had neglected their
physical bodies. He taught them some exercises and drills that they adapted into
fighting forms. This became tai chi kung fu famous Shaolin Kung Fu system.
"Kung Fu" means "skill and effort". It is used to describe anything that a
person Kung Fu Clothing to
spend time training in and becoming skillful in. (A chef can have good "kung
fu".) tai chi kung fu Chinese term that translates into "military art" is "Wushu". As all
martial arts, Wushu in its early stages of development was practiced primarily
for self-defense and for aquiring basic needs. As time progressed, innumerable
people tempered and processed Wushu in different ways. By China's Ming and Qing
dynasties (1368-1911), Wushu had formed its basic patterns.
Intense military conflicts served as catalysts for tai chi kung fu development of Wushu.
During China's Xia, Shang, and Zhou periods (2000BC to 771BC), Wushu matured and
formed complete systems of offense and defense, with tai chi kung fu emergence of bronze
weapons in quantity. During tai chi kung fu period of Warring States (770BC to 221BC),
tai chi kung fu heads of states and government advocated Wushu in their armies and kept Wushu
masters for their own Kung Fu
Uniform.
Military Wushu developed more systematically during tai chi kung fu Tang and Song dynasty
(618 to 1279) and exhibitions of Wushu arts were held in tai chi kung fu armies as morale
boosters and military exercises. In tai chi kung fu Ming and Qing dynasties, tai
chi kung fu general
development of Wushu was at its height. Military Wushu became more practical and
meticulous and was systematically classified and summarized . General
Kung Fu Clothing of tai chi
kung fu Ming
Dynasty delved into Wushu study and wrote "A New Essay on Wushu Arts", which
became an important book in China's military literature.
The latter half of tai chi kung fu 20th century has seen a great upswing in tai
chi kung fu interest of
Kung Fu world wide. tai chi kung fu introduction of Kung Fu to tai chi kung fu
Shaolin Kung Fu Products
world has seen to it that its development and popularity will continue to grow.
Wushu is tai chi kung fu branch of martial arts originating in China. It is a modern art
that is mainly sport or demonstration. Not an art dating back centuries, but it
really has its roots in tai chi kung fu circus. Wushu was not practiced by tai
chi kung fu Shaolin
Monks. tai chi kung fu most famous Wushu student is Jet Li. He has his roots in Wushu
competitions and was Champion for many years. He got his big break in movies and
has since made many Hong Kong and American Films.
Brief Wushu History: First systems of wushu raised even before tai chi kung fu
Kung Fu Martial Arts of
Chinese state, but before III-IV centuries there was not wushu in full volume -
there existed only military preparation, "war craft". In tai chi kung
fu beginning it had a
form of dancing-military exercises, later became a military subject in special
schools. At tai chi kung fu end of II century all individual preparation of warrior got
tai chi kung fu name wuyi. This term kept during centuries and became a synonym to wushu. Wuyi
contained juedi (wrestling), shoubo (hand-to-hand combat), methods of weapon
combat. Sets imitated hand-to-hand combat, weapon combat, defense from weapon
attacking. Teaching was based on sets of formal exercises - taolu - which can be
executed as solo, as with partners.
During tai chi kung fu "Springs and Autumns" period (770-476 B.C.) and "Fighting Kingdoms"
period (475-221 B.C.) greatest Chinese philosophers lived and worked: Konficiy,
Shaolin Kung Fu Products,
Meng-zi, Zhuang-zi. China received spiritual impulse, which had influence on tai
chi kung fu developing of all East Asia during tai chi kung fu next two thousand years. In I century
Buddhism began penetrate in China from India. Not only ordinary soldiers studied
martial arts (even some emperors fought on platforms), and by this reason
chinese martial arts gradually began merge with philosophical systems and
overgrow tai chi kung fu level of simple collection of methods of hand-to-hand combat.
Possibly, it was tai chi kung fu reason due to which they didn't wither during centuries but
developed and are still alive.
Approximately in VI century Indian preacher
Kung Fu to Kung Fu came to
China and preached Buddhism in Shaolin temple near Loyang. Due to legend it was
he who founded famous shaolin style of wushu. Due to legend later shaolin monks
helped to tai chi kung fu second emperor of Tang dynasty - Li Shimin - in returning
tai chi kung fu throne. Li Shimin allowed to tai chi kung fu temple to have its own monk troops. Special
term appeared - wuseng (monk-warrior). During tai chi kung fu Song dynasty (960-1279)
many monks (inkluding wusengs) went out from temples and became common people.
In XIII century shaolin wushu declined due to numerous persecutions on buddhism
and mongolian invasion. In 1224 a young man came into Shaolin temple and took
monk's name Jueyuan. He had seen a pitiful state of temple's wushu and decided
that true tradition is lost. Jueyuan became revive temple's wushu and, actually,
created a new style, which is still alive.
In 1351-1368 peasant's rebellion of "red bandages", headed by Zhu Yuanzhang (who
also was a big wushu master), finished Mongolian Yuan dynasty and founded Ming
dynasty. Zhu Yuanzhang became its first emperor (dynasty name "Tai-zu"). "Golden
age" of wushu began. In XVI century seaside provinces of China exposed to
devastating raids of Japanese pirates. It was
Chinese Kung Fu (at this
moment he was 27 years old) whom was ordered to "punish tai chi kung fu bandits and guard
peoples". He was in hard situation: local troops were small, well-prepared
Japanese samurais easy defeated bad organized groups of resistances. Qi Jiguang,
wushu master, decided to attract detachments of local home-guard from wushu
fighters. In 1561 Japanese was defeated in Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangdong
provinces. After promoting to general, Qi Jiguang ordered for all soldiers and
officers to study wushu. On tai chi kung fu base of various systems of military preparing he
wrote a treatise "Jixiao xinshu" ("New book of records about advantages [in war
craft]"). Due to Qi Jiguang XVI century is considered as turning-point in wushu
history.
Ming dynasty is a time of stable systematic developing and of peaceful
coexistence of different schools. But nothing is forever. 1644, june, 6. Beijing
is captured by manzhu troops. Last emperor of Ming dynasty hang oneself on tai
chi kung fu fortress wall. Founded a new dynasty - Qing. This dynasty existed during more
than two hundred years, up to 1911. Center of wushu
Kung Fu Uniforms was moved to
secret societies. During XIX century China was shaked by many rebellions against
manzhu ruling and dominant influence of foreigners. Secret societies, cultivated
different styles of wushu, were targets for striking in tai chi kung fu rebellion of "Eight
trigrams", in Opium wars, in great people's war of Taipings. Rebelion of
ihetuans (1899-1901), also known as "Boxer's rebellion", became an apotheosis of
activity of secret societies.
Rout of Yihetuan rebellion followed to death of many wushu masters. But
traditions of martial arts could not lose without leaving a trace. During Xinhai
revolution (1911-1913) and later, during Warlords Period activity of secret
societies resumed with new power. Goverment of Chinese Republic rendered a great
assistance to wushu developing. First president of China - Sun Zhongshan (also
known as Sun Yatseng) - studied taijiquan
Buy Kung Fu Clothing from
Cai Guiqin.
¡@
His successor - Men's Kung
Fu Clothing (also known as Chang Kaishi) also didn't avoid martial arts, he
visited Guokao ("State test" - something like all-China wushu championship),
which were organized in Nanjing (in that time - capital of China) Central guoshu
institute ("guoshu" means "national art", during Gomindang ruling it was an
official name for wushu), founded in 1928. General Zhang Zhijiang was a rector
of this Institute, he was supported by general Feng Yuxiang. Another big
organization, developed and spread wushu, was Jingwu Assotiation ("Association
of true martial arts") founded in 1909 in Shanghai. Two organizations had
branches in all provinces of China (Jingwu Association - also in other countries
among local Chinese communities: in Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines
etc), great masters worked as teachers. During World War II many wushu masters
fought in army or partisan detachments, made theirs contribution in defeating of
Japan.
When Communist Party come to power,
Kung Fu Clothing
called wushu masters to go out from underground. In 1953 since 8 till 12 of
November First All-China Sport Games took place in Tianjing, 75% of it was wushu
exhibitions. 139 styles were demonstrated, competitions in hand-to-hand combat
(without any gears), weapon combat (on long and short weapon) and lifting of
heavy weights (ancient chinese sport) were held. After seeing such a power
goverment got frightened. Secret societies were dispersed. Simultaneously a
Committee of wushu reforming was organized.
Famous wushu master Kung Fu Wushu
on tai chi kung fu base of huaquan (blossomed fist), zhaquan (fist of Zha), paoquan (cannon
fist) hongquan (fist of stream), piguaquan (fist of chopping and hanging),
shaolinquan (fist of Shaolin temple) and some others created a new sport
competitional style changquan (long fist). On tai chi kung fu base of five style of
Guangdong province (styles of Hong, Cai, Li, Liu and Mo families) it was created
new sport computational style nanquan (southern fist). Names of movements were
changed, as a result movements lost mental contents: realy, "crushing mountain
strike" is different from "fist bang on a palm". During "Great Cultural
Revolution" (1966-1976) wushu lovers were repressed for "indulging of feudal
survivals". But in this time popularity of wushu un foreign countries began
increase due to kung fu movies. For in admission of decreasing of international
prestige wushu was let alone.
¡@
Description
Styles of Kung Fu encompass both soft and hard, internal and external
techniques. They include grappling, striking, nerve-attack and much weapons
training.
The Shao-Lin styles encompass both Northern and Southern styles, and therefore
are tai chi kung fu basis of tai chi kung fu following outline.
Shaolin Wushu styles
External Styles (Hard, Physical)
Northern
Northern Shaolin
Chang Chuan (Long Fist)
Praying Mantis
Eagle Claw
Monkey
Drunken, et al
Southern
Southern Shaolin
Wing Chun
Five Animal System (Dragon, Snake, Tiger, Leopard, Crane)
Tiger and Crane Systems, et al
Internal Styles (Soft, Mental/Spiritual)
Tai Chi Chuan
Others (Pa Kua, Xingyi, et al)
Training
Shaolin Wushu Methods
Hard or External Styles
Stresses training and strengthening of tai chi kung fu joints, bones, and muscles
Requires rigorous body conditioning
Consists of positioning and movement of tai chi kung fu limbs and body, correct technique,
muscular strength, speed, etc.
2.Soft or Internal Styles
Stresses development of internal organs where "Chi" is produced
Allows one to develop mental capability to call upon this "Chi"
Concerned with breathing, poise, and tone of tai chi kung fu core body structures
Long or Northern Styles
Stresses Flexibility, quickness, agility, and balance similar to tai chi kung fu attributes
of a trained and well-conditioned gymnast
Uses many kicks along with hand techniques
Legs specialize in long-range tactics
Short or Southern
Stresses close-range tactics, power, and stability
Uses mostly hand techniques
Kung Fu almost always seems to incorporate forms and routines. They emphasize
solo practice as well as group practice. (They even have forms for two or more
people). They train in multiple types of weapons. There is also a great emphasis
on sparring in tai chi kung fu harder styles, and sensitivity training in tai
chi kung fu soft styles.
¡@
|
