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Kung Fu
This ancient martial art spread across China and all of Asia. It has contributed to the rich history of China and the other martial arts.
236 Questions
Is Bodhidharma the creator of Kung Fu?
No, Bodhidharma did not create kung fu--i.e., Chinese martial arts. Anyone who tells you that he did is relying on legend. The most common variation of the legend is that the Buddhist Monk brought his knowledge of indigenous South Asian martial arts with him to China from India during the 6th century CE. He is purported to have settled at the famous Shaolin Monastery and taught qigong, a type of medicinal stretching and breathing exercise, and a system of boxing to the monks there, thus founding Chinese martial arts. However, the people who tell this story don't realize the origins of the legend do not predate the 17th-century. This is when the qigong set was first published by a Daoist priest in a Chinese training manual known as the Sinew-Changing Classic (Yijin Jing). The manual has two forged prefaces attributed to famous historical generals that trace the exercise through a chain of heroes and holy men back to Bodhidharma. The exercise has no martial applications, so the idea of him physically teaching boxing to the monks of Shaolin didn't come until much later. In fact, this particular evolution of the legend did not come about until the early 20th-century publication of a Chinese satirical novel known as the Travels of Lao Can (laocan youji). The author obviously mistook the exercise for martial arts and claimed that Bodhidharma had taught the monks boxing. This mistake was later repeated in several bestselling martial arts manuals, thus allowing the legend to become a part of the social fabric of martial arts practitioners. The story is still circulating today. The idea that Bodhidharma created ALL martial arts is a much, much later adaptation of the early 20th-century mistake.
For more about the Bodhidharma legend, see my research paper "A Venerated Forgery: The Daoist Origins of Shaolin's Famous Yijin Jing Manual." See the references therein for a wider perspective.
Does Kung Fu have its origin in India?
No it does not, the people who are saying that "Kung Fu" does have its origin in India probably doesn't understand Chinese, and probably never bothered to read any Chinese historical texts about "Kung Fu".
Shaolin Temple was founded 464 AD, and Bodhidharma was not linked in a book to "Kung Fu" until the Ming Dynasty (1300s AD - 1600s AD). That book was confirmed by scholars to be full of mistakes and falsities.
First, to clarify, the modern "Kung Fu" (an term for all Chinese martial arts) began in the Ming Dynasty (1368 AD-1644 AD); and Chinese historical writings regard Equitation (skill with horses) and Archery as "Kung Fu".
Chinese historians believe that "Kung Fu" began as tools for survival such as hunting and war with different tribes. The earliest mention of a distinct style of hand-to-hand combat was around 2700 B.C. where a fighting technique called "Jiao Li" (角力), where the practitioner uses horned helmets to gore enemies to death. "Jiao Li" was a grappling form with strikes, blocks, and joint locks later added to it to form "Shuai Jiao" (摔跤), which is translated into Chinese Wrestling. "Jiao Li" was developed during the Zhou Dynasty (1045 BC-256 BC), and became an official part of the Zhou military training program. "Shuai Jiao" was used by the Qin army and became a sport under the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-206BC).
During the "Spring and Autumn Period" (770 BC-746 BC), swordsmanship became wide spread, many of Confucius's students were described to be skilled swordsman. During this time period, punching techniques, called Boxing in modern terms, also improved a great deal.
During the Qin Dynasty, as mentioned before, strikes, blocks, and joint locks were added to "Jiao Li" to form "Shuai Jiao". Immediately after the Qing Dynasty, during the Han Dynasty (206 BC- 220 AD) many "Kung Fu" manuals were written, describing hand-to-hand unarmed combat techniques of the time, showing a vast increment of techniques from before the Han Dynasty. Toward the Han Dynasty, passages from books describe methods for an unarmed combatant to disarm an armed opponent. These records show that the basis for Chinese "Boxing" and its philosophy: <Far use feet to kick, Close use hand to punch, Next to body use joint locks and throws>.
Han Dynasty also saw rise to weapons "Kung Fu", where sword, dao (saber), dagger-axe, and sword-shield combination techniques.
If you have further questions please message me because I probably babbled on enough :)
Sources:
"中國武術史簡述"
"Classic of Rites"
"少林寺起源"
Can a Kung Fu master rip your heart out?
it is not possible due to the heart being behind The rib cage, If anyone says that you can ask for proof...lol
And trying that, would surely break his/her fingers.
Can you mix Kung fu and karate together?
It depends on what you mean by mix. Karate already incorporates aspects of kung fu.
Dr Fu Manchu was a master criminal in Sax Rohmer's novels. The character had a distinctive mustache, which has since been names the fu manchu.
Yes, there is a style of of Mantis Kung Fu. There are three styles: Northern Praying Mantis, Southern Praying Mantis, and Wah Lum Praying Mantis. Wah Lum Kung Fu is named after the temple Wah Lum in Tampa, Florida. Mimi Chan choreographed for Disney's "Mulan" and Mulan II". You should check out her website. It's really cool. Mimi is usually undefeated. Grace Martial Arts School, which is also in Tampa, Florida teaches Wah Lum Kung Fu, as well as many different martial arts to choose from, so you can find your style.
Hope this helps!
There are many more than 3 praying mantis styles. Wah Lum is named after the Wah Lum System from China, of which the Temple in Orlando is the branch where the current grandmaster resides. Mimi Chan did do Mulan...back in the day. Check out Wahlum.com for more info in the system. It also lists the schools around the world. The only Tampa school which teaches WahLum is run By Sifu Tom Haase, and is called Wahlum Kung Fu of Tampa. Simply look on google to get educated!!
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There are many styles of Praying Mantis. Both Southern and Northern styles. Wah Lum Tam Tui Northern Praying Mantis style Kung Fu is of course a northern style. It was founded by Lee Kwon Shan who blended his family style of Tam Tui (Seeking Legs) with the Jut Sow Praying Mantis (Wrestling Hands) he learned from Abbot Ching Yeung at the Wah Lum Shaolin temple in Shantung Providence.
Among the northern styles of praying mantis Kung Fu are: Seven Star, Jut Sow, Plum Blossom, Tai Chi Plum Blossom, Rigid Plate, Eight Step, Six Harmonies, Jade Ring, Secret Gate, Goddess Tai Chi, and Tai Chi
Among the southern styles of praying mantis are: Chu Gar, Kwan Sai Jook Lum, Chow Gar, and Iron Ox
What was the Production Budget for Kung Fu Hustle?
The Production Budget for Kung Fu Hustle was $20,000,000.
How do you find a song called Kung Fu beat?
If you have it, have a look at iTunes. If that doesn't work, try eBay. If you needed the lyrics try sites like azlyrics.com
What is that funny Kung Fu movie with a Chinese lady with screaming powers?
Hi, You're thinking of Stephen Chow's "Kung Fu Hustle". The character is the land lady.
I YES Because Karate Is The Like The Same Thing Has Kung Fu So I Say Yes
How can you make a Kung Fu style?
You can't. The kung fu portrayed in Kung Fu Hustle is an homage to styles used in old Martial arts films, which were ultimately influenced by Chinese fiction. No one can really produce Hurricane force winds just by screaming, or catch a bullet with their fingers.
What is the difference between wushu and karate?
Wushu is the sport version of kung fu that has been codified by the Chinese. Karate is an Okinawa martial art that was created by combining kung fu and Okinawa wrestling.
What if somebody threatens you and saying that she is going to cut your throat when she sees you?
you run away and tell or learn kung fu
How long is the short staff in Kung Fu?
The short staff should be around naval ( belly button) height from the ground.
Hung fut is a Southern style of Kung fu, first created hundreds ago. It's still used though today.
Do you need to capitalize kung fu?
Normally kung fu will not be capitalized. If you are referring to a specific style, such as White Crane Kung Fu, you would capitalize all the words. Or if referring to the the television show Kung Fu.
The game is free to play but there is an online shop system where you can buy clothers and potions to make your player better that costs real money.
