ABOUT KUNG FU WU SHU
This is an almost impossible category. This label is attached
to almost any martial art that comes from China. It is the 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 Sifu Benny Meng.
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.
The 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 the 5th century. He describes combat
designed along the lines of an animal's movements and style.
Legend has it that a Bhuddist monk named Bohdiharma, also called
Ta Mo, came across the Tibetan Mountains to China. The Emperor
of China at the time was much impressed with the man, and gave
him a temple located in Honan - the famed Sui Lim Monastery (Shaolin
Monastery). Ta Mo found that the 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 the famous Shaolin Kung Fu system.
"Kung Fu" means "skill and effort". It is
used to describe anything that a person nees to spend time training
in and becoming skillful in. (A chef can have good "kung fu".)
The Chinese term that translates into "military art" is "Wu
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 the 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 the emergence of bronze weapons in quantity. During
the period of Warring States (770BC to 221BC), the heads of states
and government advocated Wushu in their armies and kept Wushu masters
for their own puposes.
Military Wushu developed more systematically during the Tang and
Song dynaties (618 to 1279) and exhibitions of Wushu arts were
held in the armies as morale boosters and military exercises. In
the Ming and Qing dynasties, the general development of Wushu was
at its height. Military Wushu became more practical and meticulous
and was systematically classified and summarized . General Qi Jiguang
of the Ming Dynasty delved into Wushu study and wrote "A New
Essay on Wushu Arts", which became an important book in China's
The latter half of the 20th century has seen a great upswing in
the interest of Kung Fu world wide. The introduction of Kung Fu
to the Western world has seen to it that its development and popularity
will continue to grow.
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 the basis of the following outline.
Shaolin Wushu styles
- External Styles (Hard, Physical)
- Northern Shaolin
- Chang Chuan (Long Fist)
- Praying Mantis
- Eagle Claw
- Drunken, et al
- Southern Shaolin
- Wing Chun
- Five Animal System (Dragon, Snake, Tiger, Leopard,
- Tiger and Crane Systems, et al
- Internal Styles (Soft, Mental/Spiritual)
- Tai Chi Chuan
- Others (Pa Kua, Xingyi, et al)
Shaolin Wushu Methods
- Hard or External Styles
2.Soft or Internal Styles
- Stresses training and strengthening of the joints, bones,
- Requires rigorous body conditioning
- Consists of positioning and movement of the limbs and
body, correct technique, muscular strength, speed, etc.
- Stresses development of internal organs where "Chi" is
- Allows one to develop mental capability to call upon
- Concerned with breathing, poise, and tone of the core
- Long or Northern Styles
- Stresses Flexibility, quickness, agility, and balance
similar to the attributes of a trained and well-conditioned
- 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 the harder
styles, and sensitivity training in the soft styles.