Category: Battlefield

Torquay Museum: Japanese Battle Kite! (29.8.2023)

8/29/2023

A Single Archer Would Stand Barefoot On The Bamboo Frame!

Part of educating ourselves (and our children) - has involved the continuous stimulation of mind and body through visiting museums, examining the past and striving to understand humanity as a broad expression of culture and creativity. During 2018, myself, Gee, Mei-An and Kai-Lin visited Torquay Museum (in South Devon). Astonishingly, this place has a Medieval Japanese Battle Kite! Oddly, I believe this object has been subsequently 'returned to storage' not long after our visit - and despite enquiring - I could not find out any further data as to provenance.

The Archer Would 'Snipe' the Enemy From Aloft!

An Imperial Archer (the Medieval equivalent of Early Japanese 'Special Forces') would be 'affixed' to the centre of a large (bamboo) kite and extended (through the use of a rope anchored to the ground) around 200 feet into the air above the battlefield. Sniping with arrows would then ensue - whilst the position of the enemy would be relayed to the Command on the ground! The kite could be moved with the soldier kept up in the sky if the terrain, weather and enemy activity allowed. What these individual soldiers went through whilst having to stand on such a flimsy device - we can only speculate! Their bravery, however, must be beyond doubt!

Mei-An Avoids the Archer!

As If the Kite Is Heading Through the Window!

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Adapting to Circumstance

7/2/2021

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Proper Martial Arts Are Rugged And Adaptable

In the West, Asian martial arts have been thoroughly commercialised and converted from a battlefield spiritual art – into a vehicle for making money. The instructors ‘sell’ their knowledge to classes of students – with an emphasis upon a very narrow definition of ‘self-defence’ (in the UK, many such teachers attempt to relate to their students by assuming they are in a pub on a Saturday night – and another drinker ‘starts looking at your bird’ and such other laughable narratives! In other words, the ancient martial arts of the East are taught to students in the contemporary West as a method to ‘defend’ themselves from attacks from other Westerners in a social (leisure) setting! Teachers of this type tend to cultivate a ‘cult of personality’ mentality throughout their school, which suggests that their art contains some sought of ‘mystical’ core that grants invincibility to each practitioner, and certain defeat to all those who are unlucky to confront it!

The Chinese 'Long-Sword' is an Martial Ancient Device...

Ironically, I have been shown evidence of so-called ‘contracts’ signed by students when setting-up their monthly bank payments to the instructor. In the small print a disclaimer reads ‘The ‘student’ acknowledges that the movements taught are for guidance only, a may not be effective in any position of ‘self-defence’ - and that the instructor has no liability whatsoever for the well-being of the student.’ A lawyer-friend of mine advises that such contracts and ‘clauses’ are common-place nowadays in the martial arts scene which tends to target large classes of young children – where the training is sold to parents as ‘play’! The teachers do not care about the psychological, physical or spiritual well-being of their students, as the individuals concerned exist only to generate income and pay the bills.

The Ancient Spear-Work...

In the expensive leisure centres, for example, the martial arts are sold as ego-trips for well-off and very rich! These people like to pretend that for the duration of the lessons they are legitimate martial arts fighters, when in reality the classes are designed around retaining their comfort levels in an air-conditioned room, with movements that do not go beyond a light cardiovascular workout. Each lesson is a self-contained episode as there is no guarantee that the ‘clients’ will be back next week! There is no continuation, but only the repeating of the myth of a deficient self-empowerment that occurs within one of the safest and crime-free environments on earth! The teacher must alter everything and change whatever the clients want changed to keep their attention levels up and to keep them coming back for more (whilst paying the ridiculous membership fees)!

The Shaolin Temple Martial Arts Preserve the Ch'an School of Buddhism...

Should a student progress in their martial arts practice and attend long enough for the teacher to take their presence seriously, he or she may well be considered suitable for participating in martial sports. This is a safe type of combat within which neither of the participants actually hit one another – but purposely throw-out their arms and legs to empty air in the direction of the opponent! He who throws enough such techniques is declared the ‘winner’ and the instructor’s school receives all the kudos for this success (hence the interest shown in the student by the teacher). Then there are the mixed martial artists who roll around on the floor in one-on-one bouts – each trying to ‘submit’ the other. In some versions, kicking and punching is also allowed during ‘stand-up’ periods to excite the fee-paying crowd! Although presented as the ‘best’ type of martial arts, modern militaries do not use this type of fighting simply because it does not work in reality (on the battlefield).

Yin-Yang Defines Genuine Inner and Outer Self-Cultivation!

Legitimate Asian martial arts do exist. They exist in Asia and they exist in the West but they are well-hidden behind the thick blanket of highly commercialised martial arts. If a sincere student genuinely seeks-out a proper martial arts teacher, it is highly likely that they will be drawn into something very similar to what is described above. In fact, given the current conditions, such a scenario is virtually inevitable. In such a situation it is better to make the best of what is on offer in the outside whilst retaining you own inner freedom. It is a matter of bidding your time until you encounter what you are really looking for. Until that time, adaptability is the key to ongoing development. Understanding a situation does not mean that you have to be in conflict with it. It is better to remain quiet and meaning onto a situation and breathe new life into it. Traditional Chinese martial arts do exist, but they are difficult to find and even more difficult to enter!

Traditional Chinese Martial Arts Are Built Upon Respect...

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Moving Beyond the ‘Superficial’ and Revealing the ‘True’ Essence of Ancient Chinese Martial Arts

12/6/2020

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Original Chinese Language Article By: Qu Lishi (趣历史)

(Translated by Adrian Chan-Wyles PhD)

Now, when many of my friends are watching classic heroic novels made into films - such as the "Water Margin" and "Sui and Tang Dynasty" - or classic works of modern martial arts masters (such as Jin Yong [金庸} and Gu Long [古龙]), they are being subjected to a number of powerful martial arts hero-images. This includes invincible (and fierce) generals, as well as knights effortlessly galloping over the land (and across rivers and lakes without getting wet), whilst climbing (or flying) over high walls and defeating the enemy on the other side - despite being out-numbered by as much as ten to one! The question is this – are traditional Chinese martial arts effective in battle – or are they an outdated mode of ‘attempted’ self-defence?

External Gongfu

With this question in mind, this author accessed a great deal of information upon this subject and finally worked-out the difference between ‘ancient’ Chinese martial arts and the modern ‘dance’ that passes as martial arts practice in many gymnastic halls throughout China today. Ancient Chinese martial arts are divided into two distinct (but related in essence) branches (or ‘Families’) – namely the ‘external’ (外 - Wai) and the ‘internal’ (内 - Nei). Those who have achieved great success in ‘external’ gongfu, can prevail against any opponent (in any situation) using only ‘empty-hands’ and expertly applying a refined brute force through deceptive movements of great and dynamic speed - with such an outstanding Master of this method being ‘Bruce Lee’.

Internal Gongfu

The mastery of internal gongfu is much more complicated, complex (and subtle) - and its perfection is not easy – even for those who gain access to genuine teachers. Internal gongfu has three sections that must be fully understood and mastered:

1) Bright (Pure) ‘Shooting-Force’ (Emitting-Power) = Ming Jin (明劲) - ‘Ming Jin’ looks very strong and even ‘tough’. This ‘external’ power stem from a permanently aligned posture and bodyweight dropping into the floor – and ‘rebounding’ back up through the centre of the bones – to be ‘emitted’ through whatever technique is being applied. However, at the highest level of mastery (and in a split second) - It can be transitioned into ‘An Jin’.

2) Dark (Secret) ‘Shooting-Force’ (Emitting-Power) = An Jin (暗劲) - ‘An Jin’ only manifests when proficiency is already advanced. An Jin is comprised of the mastery (and swift interaction) of both ‘hard’ (刚 - Gang) and ‘soft’ (柔 - Rou) power. The enhanced mind (and ‘awareness’) replaces all physical effort. This skill remains ‘hidden’ and is difficult to comprehend in combat and learn in practice. When the mind (and body) of the practitioner is suitably ‘matured’, then the ability to transition to ‘Hua Jin’ will naturally manifest.

3) Transformative (Changing) ‘Shooting-Force' (Emitting-Power) = Hua Jin (化劲) - ‘Hua Jin’ is the perfect ‘synthesis’ of ‘Ming Jin’ and ‘An Jin’ so that no difference can be discerned by the opponent – who cannot perceive what is happening – and cannot suitably ‘adapt’ to what is happening in his or her immediate environment. There is no discernible difference between the mind and body – with the body and environment appearing to manifest within an expanded consciousness that free of all greed, hatred and delusion.

This level of traditional martial arts mastery requires a long process of accumulated insight and gathered internal energy. When young, a martial artist must be brave and ruthless at the beginning – but radically ‘stills the mind’ and ‘relaxes the body’ as a means to gain access to the ‘invisible’ and ‘intangible’. One of the most famous martial artists in ancient times is known as ‘Hua Tuo’ (华佗), who was originally a famous doctor living during the Eastern Han Dynasty, but the ‘Wu Qin Xi’ (五禽戏) or ‘Five Birds Playing’ System he created is considered to be the earliest known martial arts routine in China. This is why some people call Hua Tuo the founder of Chinese martial arts. Cases can also be made for Zhang Sanfeng (张三丰), the founder of the Wudang (武当) Sect – which is a superb school of internal martial arts. Then there is Chen Yuting (陈玉廷), from Chenjiagou - Wen County, Henan Province – who is the founder of Chen Style Taijiquan. Dong Haichuan (董海川) is the founder of Baguazhang (八卦掌) or ‘Eight Trigram Palm’ - who was considered an amazing man. He was a martial arts teacher for Emperor Guangxu (光绪) and also served as a guard for Empress Dowager Cixi (慈禧). After him, there are more famous martial artists such as Huo Yuanjia (霍元甲), Du Xinwu (杜心武) and Huang Feihong (黄飞鸿), etc., all excellent martial arts masters.

Tradition Chinese Martial Arts are ‘Too Dangerous’

Generally speaking, ancient Chinese martial arts are both internal and external, and there are routines, such as unarmed punching and kicking forms, as well as weaponry forms involving sword, spear and weighted-chain, etc. Most of these styles focus on developing the ‘awareness’ capacity of the mind, which is essential for all physical martial arts mastery. Only those people born in the modern-age who possess a certain type of character are qualified to be accepted for this type of genuine Chinese martial arts training. However, the current martial arts cater for everyone and their stricture and scope of development is too rigid and limited. Such martial arts only require a basic external performance, but the internal spirit being completely non-existent. Therefore, practicing for several decades can only lead to the acquisition of a very a basic skill that diminishes with age. The main difference is that the ancient martial arts technique evolved for ‘killing’ enemies and prevailing during ‘self-defence’, whilst modern martial arts belong only to the category of sports – and therefore only reflect the limited requirements of success needed in that environment.

Humanity’s martial arts practice began in warfare and represent a summary of the experience of being exposed to brutal and bloody fighting on the battlefield. This old body of knowledge has into the modern world and has been integrated as a martial art practiced within the category of sports. Under the constraints of rules and referees, it strives to be fair and avoid injury, defeats opponents with strength and wisdom - declaring a winner and a loser. As for why this is done, it is because when modern martial arts were practiced in New China – fights often ended with opponents being ‘killed’ in competition. The government took control of the situation and stopped this type of gongfu-fighting in public. Instead, martial arts training was limited to the exercises concerned with the performing and perfection of artistic-looking routines. It was not until the reform and opening up that the ‘traditional’ Chinese martial arts practice returned for public scrutiny yet again. The more aggressive sport of Sanda (散打) or ‘Free Fighting’ was developed as a sport, and finally determined that blows to the groin, neck, and back of the head were forbidden. This led to a system of punching, kicking and throwing that although ‘aggressive’ lacked much of the martial sophistication that defines traditional Chinese martial arts practice and fighting.

Comment: Ancient Chinese martial arts are historically designed for real fighting, and I can only say that the so-called ‘Martial Arts Masters who are constantly promoting their own style – who are always ‘challenging’ others - are nothing but a group of ‘loud mouthed-kings'. Their actual combat capability is almost zero. Why do I say this? This is because these so-called martial artists have not developed their inner or outer strength and do not possess the unique speed (or skills) associated with traditional Chinese martial arts practice. They value theory and pretty routines, but lack actual combat experience. In the old days, the Master earned their abilities the hard way – through prevailing in actual martial arts conflicts.

Of course, this author always believes that there are peerless gongfu Masters in the world. However, those who have achieved this kind of martial arts mastery often live very low-key lives. They quietly practice and perfect the genuine traditional Chinese martial arts, and pursue a simple life of self-sufficiency and isolation. Such authentic Master keep away from publicity and are difficult to track-down! Indeed, they hide in plain sight amongst the people!

Chinese Language Reference:

https://history.sohu.com/a/156558022_612628

中国武术真的是花架子吗？看看古代的武术家境界有多高
2017-07-12 16:55

现在很多朋友在看《水浒传》、《隋唐演义》等古典英雄演义小说，或者金庸、古龙等现代武侠大师的经典作品时，里面塑造了一批家喻户晓、武功高强的英雄形象,有纵横沙场、马上无敌的猛将，也有驰骋江湖、闪展腾挪的侠客，一个个飞檐走壁以一敌十，可是，每每看到兴奋之处的时候，很多人不禁在想，古代武功真有那么神奇么?古代的武术家真有那么厉害?为什么现代的所谓武术家们为何就做不到呢?

带着这个疑问，小编查找了好多资料，终于弄清了古代武术与现代舞术的区别所在。古武术，分为外家功夫和内家功夫。外家功夫练到大成者，能空手入白刃，代表人物李小龙。
而内家功夫则要复杂的多，分为明劲、暗劲、化劲。明劲时候是看起来十分刚猛，练到一定境界会自然过渡到暗劲，暗劲是刚柔并济。暗劲练到一定成都会自然过渡到化劲。而习武之人的境界，从一开始好勇斗狠到心态变平和再到无形无相无招胜有招，是需要一个漫长的积累过程的。

古代比较有名的武术家有：华佗，本是东汉名医，但他创编的五禽戏被称作是中国最早的武术套路，因此也有人把华佗称为中国武术的创始人。张三丰，武当派的开山祖师，一身内家功夫出神入化，十分了得。陈玉廷，河南温县陈家沟人，陈式太极拳创始人。董海川，八卦掌创始人，这个人很了不得，他曾为光绪皇帝武术教师，并且还担任过慈禧太后的护卫。而在他之后比较有名还有霍元甲、杜心武、黄飞鸿等等，无不是一代宗师级的武术家。

总体来说，古武在于内外兼修,套路是有的,例如拳谱,剑谱等,不过大都只重其中的心法,就是要领,掌握要领后一通百通，只有先修内，有了一定心性，才能明白要领。而现在的武术太过僵硬化了，只求外在表现,内在的精神却没了，所以，练个几十年也只能是基本功而不能有所成。

还有就是古武术是杀敌自卫的技术，而现代武术属于体育范畴。

人类的武术始于战争，是战场上血腥厮杀的总结，进入现代文明，将武术列入体育范畴，在规则和裁判的制约下，力求公平和避免伤害，以力量和知慧战胜对手，决以输赢。至于为什么这么做，那是因为现代武术在新中国成立时，因为武者比试时失手打死过人，所以国家一度停止武术发展，只保留艺术性的套路的演练，直到改革开放后，中国武术界才按体育的规则开始散打比赛试验,最终确定，裆、颈、后脑禁打。两人按照一定的规则，运用武术中的踢、打、摔等攻防技法制胜对方。但是，不得不说，中华武术也是由此而没落了。

点评：古代武术才是真正格斗，而看到现在动不动在哪个频道里推广的武术大师我只能说都是一堆嘴强王者。实战能力几乎为零。为什么这么说呢?这是因为这些所谓的武术家的力量速度都没练出来他们重视理论和套路，缺乏实战与灵活，纵观中国历史武术名家那个不是大量实战的基础上在结合拳理内外兼修而成为一代武术宗师的?哪像现代这帮武术家，太过功利化了，一个个都是绣花枕头，中看不中用也。

当然，小编始终相信，现在的世间也是有绝世高手的，但是，但凡这种武道有所成就者，往往都很低调，一心钻研武道，把功名利禄看的非常淡，大隐隐与世，所以就像那句老话说的，其实真正的高手其实在民间啊。

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Torquay Museum: Japanese Battle Kite! (29.8.2023)

Adapting to Circumstance

Moving Beyond the ‘Superficial’ and Revealing the ‘True’ Essence of Ancient Chinese Martial Arts

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