Great martial arts from China. Review on Kung Fu

This document is mainly written on the origin & history as well as some styles & techniques related to Kung fu. I have tried to write it “to the point” & request you to put your comments for your likes & dislikes.

What is Kung fu?

Kung fu is the collection of some ancient as well as modern types of fighting techniques or martial arts practiced all over China. These activities r deadly fighting arts than simple sports. Kung fu includes bare hand & armed combat techniques. Bare hand techniques utilize different body parts & armed techniques come with hundreds of weapons like different kinds of swords, sticks, chains, & other bladed or heavy weapons. Body parts like hands or legs even hairs & fingers can be used, depending on style. In order to know this unique art we must know its history.

History.

Martial art were born when human being first started their battle against other animals. Their aim was to survive from attacking animals. Later when they created civilizations, they started practicing it in different ways. For example, the Greeks started to practice gymnastics. Different civilizations had their own ways of fighting. Kung fu is practiced all over China for thousands of years. According to written history, even 5000 years ago fighting techniques were used which include hand to hand (bare handed / armed), wrestling, long range archery etc. First organized martial art is supposed to be born 700 years before Christ. & with time this techniques became much organized.

China became united in 221 B.C. under the kingdom of Qin (Chin) & Qin Shihuang Ti became the first emperor (hence comes the name Chin/ China). He started to build the Great Wall of China, which continued till 1600 A.D. (about 1800 years!). After which it became useless due to Manchu invasion from north. During this time, southern & northern dynasties have reigned. Martial arts became more organized when Shaolin temples were established around 495 A.D. This first temple was built in Hunan province. Emperor Xiao Wen ordered this temple to be built for an Indian Buddhist monk named Buddhabhadra (Ba Tuo in Chinese). According to historical documents, this temple started practicing martial arts when another Indian monk & scholar came to visit the temple. His name is known as Bodhidharma or Ta Mo in Chinese (“Bodhi” means somebody who has knowledge & “dharma” means religion). There he taught the monks “18 hands of Lohan”, to make them more efficient for practicing meditation & other religious activities. This is considered as the foundation of martial arts like Tai Qi (Tai Chi), Chi Kung etc. Bodhidharma was probably from south India where you can still find one very old & highly religious martial art, which is known as Kalari payatu (gymnasium techniques).

Later some more smaller & greater shaolin temples were built all over China. Some of them r Fukien temple (famous for White Crane style), Omei Shan temple, Kwangtung temple, Wutang mountain temple (famous for Tai Chi) etc. Legends related to shaolin monks also started from this time. According to one legend, in 620 A.D. the shaolin monks saved prince Li Shimin from the army of the Sui dynasty; only 13 monks defeated an entire brigade!

The time of Ming dynasty is called the golden era of Chinese history. Several Kung fu styles were formed & shaolin temples built. It came to an end when invaders from Manchuria ended Ming dynasty’s reign. As Shaolin monks were helpful to the Ming dynasty, they attacked Shaolin temples too. Manchu invaders had very large army armed with cannons; some betrayals were also there. Honan Temple was destroyed in 1647 A.D. followed by Fukien temple 30 years later. From this time & onward practicing Shaolin Kung fu was banned by Ching rulers (Manchurians). Now these temples r open to practice martial arts after the cultural revolution in China. During this period many classics, quans (sequence of attacks, blocks & exercises) were lost but some new styles also were born. The monks created new styles which were easier & faster to learn.

Some styles & techniques.

There r about 300 styles of Kung fu is practiced all over China. These styles include older Tai chi; medium old Shaolin 5 animals (Dragon, eagle, Tiger, snake & crane), Mantis, Chu gar (developed from Jew Gar- the Ming royal family style), Wing chun; some newer styles developed in 20th century.

These styles differ from each other in cases like stances, footwork, weight balancing & delivering, usage of fists & other body parts.

Tai chi: This ancient art uses breathing & weight balancing techniques. Practicing this style requires the mind to be a little spiritual. Generally opponent’s weight & power is used against him. For example, Tai chi practitioner can quickly move to a side & use his own hands to apply a gentle but quick pressure to drive away the opponent’s powerful kicks, punches or even his body. This will not only save the Tai chi practitioner from getting injured, also make the opponent to lose balance.

Animals’ style: Here different styles follow the animals’ power, speed, moves & mentality. Tiger uses power & heavy claw to defeat opponents. Snake has great flexibility & speed; they can hit anytime & anywhere. Eagle uses power & its sharp claw. A fighter replaces the sharp claw with three fingers, which can be used to attack throat & other places. Monkey has got superb reflex & energy, that’s why this style uses speedy counter attacks. In Mantis style phoenix-eye fist is used where only one finger works as a sharp weapon.

Wing chun: This style is famous for fast blockings.

More Kung fu styles r practiced everywhere in east & south east Asia. According to some researchers, Wu Zu quan is the origin of Karate. Jew Gar was changed & transformed into Chow gar & Hakka boxing.

All the styles mentioned above use bare hands as well as weapons.

Kung fu as sport.

Kung fu itself is not a sport. It is a combination of various deadly fighting techniques, which were perfectly designed to use in battle i.e. to kill enemy in the shortest time possible. Lots of movements r there which either seriously injure or kill enemy. As this type of activity is not suited to common people, a sport form has been introduced. It is called Wushu, & included in Olympic sports. There r two categories in Wushu- Quan & Fighting. Quans r sequences of attacks, blocks, dodges etc. Fighting is mainly blocking & throwing, sometimes kicks & punches r used. During fighting players use guards.

For those who r interested.

You may join kung fu or Wushu, anything you want to learn. But always be careful while searching for a martial art centre. Improper coaching may cause injuries. Next thing is about keeping patience, because learning Kung fu is very hard. You will need to build up your physical & mental structure, learn gymnastics as well. At least 11 to12 years required to become comfortable with it. Hard practice with proper understanding is the way to master this martial art.