![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
| ||
Chinese Kung Fu |
![]() |
Chinese Kung Fu, Kung Fu Clothing, Kung Fu Uniform, Kung Fu Uniforms, Kung Fu Shirt, Kung Fu Suit, Shaolin Kung Fu, Tai Chi Kung Fu, Qigong Wushu, Wing Tsun Kung Fu, Taiji Uniform |
ABOUT KUNG FU WUSHU and
Chinese Kung Fu ¡@ 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. Famous wushu master Kung Fu Wushu on Chinese 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 Chinese 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. ¡@
|
Buddhist monks are very gentle and good natured. Their fighting system was developed only to defend themselves against harm. This system was called the 'Lohon' style after the monks in the temple (Lohons) who developed it. The Lohon style is a very basic form of Kung Fu which emphasizes low stances and strong body posture. It proved very successful. The monks of the Shaolin temple practiced diligently to increase their martial arts skills and were constantly striving to improve their art. A great step forward came with the evolution of the third Shaolin style, called the Tiger style - Tai Chor in Chinese. This was developed by a Chinese emperor, who had relinquished his royal position to adopt the austere ways of Buddhism. He finally settled at the Shaolin temple where he studied deeply in the martial arts, eventually developing the Tai Chor style. For this reason of Tai Chi Clothes, Tai Chor is sometimes also known as the emperor's style. Tai Chor uses the strong but mobile stance which we use in the Tiger-Crane combination, and which we call the 'walking stance'. It also emphasizes a very strong twisting punch. In fact, the straight punch which ends with a twist of the fist has become a hallmark of Shaolin Kung Fu. The Tai Chor style develops great power and was, therefore, able to defeat the Lohon style which it superseded. ¡@ | |
No style is unbeatable. Every move has a counter. Inevitably, another style was
later developed which could counter the Tiger style. This was the monkey style,
known in Chinese as Tai Sheng. Monkey is a very fast, deceptive style. The
monkey tends to close in on his opponent, strike and retreat all in one rapid
sequence. Hence, the powerful Tiger may be unable to hit his tricky, constantly
moving opponent. If the monkey misses with a strike, he will still move away
from his opponent so as not to allow them the chance to counter him. The
monkey's strikes are accurate, more than powerful and are delivered with fingers
or the open palm. Grabbing is also a favorite monkey technique. The monkey likes
to crouch and often attacks the lower body. He especially favours targeting the
groin. For male opponents this can result in serious loss! Because the monkey style consists of much crouching and rolling, it is best suited to people who are short. It is often considered one of the most entertaining styles to watch. | |
How can the techniques of the monkey possibly be countered? The answer is by the
techniques of the white crane! The white crane style was the last and most
technically advanced style to be developed in the Fukien Shaolin Temple. Even to
this day, the crane style is regarded with great respect and is shrouded in
secrecy by its masters. Hence it has been one of the last Kung Fu styles which
the Chinese have 'let go' to westerners. What is this devastating secret possessed by the white crane? The crane sticks. As soon as the crane is attacked it establishes touch contact. If its opponent tries to land the attack, the crane deflects it: if the opponent withdraws, the crane follows; never releasing its touch until it finds a certain opportunity to strike - which it does with no mercy. What use the tricky techniques of the monkey? As he tries to dart away the crane will follow, sticking to him until the chance presents itself to strike. The white crane style represents the pinnacle of the Shaolin martial arts. | |
In Fukien Province this resistance was particularly strong. The Fukien Shaolin temple was famous for producing some of the best fighters in China, so many of the rebels came here to perfect their fighting skills. Over the years the temple became a centre for rebellion against the Manchurian government. |
During the mid 17th Century, China was conquered by the Manchurians who
established the 'Ching' dynasty of Chinese rule. Not surprisingly, the Chinese
strongly resented being ruled by 'foreigners' and there was much resistance and
rebellion. ¡@ |
Realising that the activities within the Shaolin temple posed a threat to them,
the Manchurians sent their army to deal with it. Rather than face the renown
martial artists of the temple, the Manchurians decided to set fire to it and
wait outside to kill any survivors as they tried to escape the flames. The
temple was destroyed forever in a fiery inferno and almost all of the monks died
in the flames or whilst trying to escape. Only five Kung Fu masters managed to
survive. ¡@ | |
The five masters who survived were more determined than ever to defeat the Manchurians. They decided to split up and travel through China. It was necessary for them to disguise themselves and stay on the move, since the government would have loved to execute them. Wherever the masters travelled they stirred up the people to prepare to fight the Manchurians. In readiness for a rebellion they taught them Kung Fu fighting techniques (of course at this time the Chinese did not have guns, all fighting was hand to hand). | |
Through their perseverance and dedication, the five masters set up a network of secret societies which was eventually to spread throughout China. These societies trained diligently in the art of Kung Fu and were sworn to free China from the Manchurians. In order to recognise each other they developed many secret signs. The most well known of these is the 'Shaolin salute' with one clenched fist and one open palm. All Kung Fu styles which trace their ancestry to one of the five Shaolin masters begin their patterns with a variant of this salute. | |
¡@
¡@ |