All genuine Chinese gongfu (family) lineages possess a TCM (folk) prescription for 'Iron Fighting Wine'! These pages written in Medical Chinese ideograms are highly valued and treasured - even though they possess a number of different (but related) names - all variants of theme! As we value Traditional Okinawan Goju Ryu - this bottle is heading to a very good and esteemed Instructor of that martial art living in the UK! Brewing and bottling Dit Da Jow is a family affair that involves an element of profound spirituality.
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Author's Note: One of my Western Gongfu students once navigated his way to Sai Kung Town and caught the local bus which travelled in a loop throughout the countryside of Sia Kung. We had given him the name and map coordinates of our Ancestral Village - and he found it - but there was a catch. When he rang the bell in the middle of nowhere to get-off (many of the Hakka villages are hidden from obvious view and must be accessed through a think cover of trees - the bus-driver, seeing that he was alone, refused to open the door. The driver explained that this was a Hakka area and that these people are renowned for their aggressive tendencies. The driver was under strict orders not to let any Westerners (unaccompanied by Chinese people) to get into trouble in areas they do not understand or are not familiar with. Therefore, my student had to safely return to Sai Kung Town. ACW (17.11.2023) Sai Kung is a Hakka coastal area of the North East New Territories where our ancestral Chan Village is (or was) located. The area is now a very well structured National Park. Sai Kung is also a town which lends its name to the region. We have visited many times and never had any trouble navigating. Hundreds of years ago, the migrating Hakka people planted sustainable forests as part of the charcoal trade they pursued. These forests strewn the hills and valleys to this day. We have never heard of hikers going missing - as hikers have no reason to enter these areas. Still, things change and the graphics on the maps contained this episode show where our Gongfu took root in South China after migrating from North and Central China many years ago. The Hakka people who occupied these areas used to be highly aggressive to uninvited guests. This martial attitude stems from the history of the place and the reality of the Hakka-Punti Clan Wars of the mid-1800s which killed millions. This was poor quality land that the Hakka had to cultivate and then defend from Cantonese (Punti) attack.
This Japanese technique is written using two Chinese and one Japanese ideogram - with all three ideograms being routinely used in the Japanese written language - and two ideograms ('1' and '2') being used in the Chinese written language: 腰 - Japanese - Koshi (Chinese: yao1) = waist, hips and midsection 投 - Japanese - Na (Chinese: tou2) = throw, blend, redirect and reject げ - Japanese - Ge = down, low, depth and ground Interestingly, with regards the ideogram '腰' (Koshi) - both the Japanese and Chinese language dictionaries give an identical (and exact) physical location. Therefore, 'Koshi' represents the 'waist' (or the anatomical 'space' between the hips) situated toward the front of the body - whilst the back of the body corresponds 'Koshi' to the 'small of the back' or the 'lumbar' region. Although neither dictionary mentions the centre of gravity of the body - or the 'lower dantian' (both situated three-inches below the naval) it seems clear that such a 'special' area is implied. I think this assumption receives support as 'Koshi' is also used to refer to the 'kidney' area - perhaps slightly higher than the lumbar a 'cold' area significant within traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine. Although 腰 (yao1) is prevalent within Chinese martial arts (used to counter an opponent through penetrating their technique, blending with it and redirecting it) - 'Koshinage (腰投げ)' is a 'distinct' Japanese physical interpretation not found in China. When the Chinese government took Sō Dōshin (宗道臣) [1911-1980] to a Japanese Court in the early 1970s (an event covered in one of Donn F. Draeger's books on 'Modern Budo') - part of the evidence accepted by this Court that his style of 'Shorinji Kempo' ('Shaolin Gongfu') was NOT of Chinese origin - is that nearly all of its techniques include 'Koshinage' (the BBC chose to omit this Court verdict in its 1980 'Way of Warrior' series). Cooperation of this type is a Japanese cultural development - and is not found in China's traditional arts - even though the concept is present (and used in a different manner). However, I would note that the use of squat-kicks is found in Chinese arts and are used in exactly the same manner as this documentary suggests - although our Hakka style places a great deal on toughening the legs to take continuous impact (similar to Muay Thai fighters in Thailand) and keep effectively moving. The only Karate-Do style I have encountered that has squat-kicks is Goju Ryu.
In the aftermath of the Xiamen “Chopping” incident – the victim Shi Jiaming (石佳明) is NOT dead – and thanks to advanced Chinese medical care and world-class surgery, his hand has been carefully re-attached and he is well in hospital!  The Weapon Seems To Be a Japanese 'Short-Sword'! 1. Reviewing the “Chopping” Incident! On May 23rd, 2023, an astonishing “chopping” incident occurred on a college campus situated in the Xiang'an District area of Xiamen City, Fujian province (a place world renowned for its martial arts culture). Shi Jiaming - a Douyin ‘Influencer’ - was holding an outdoor “live” broadcast together with another well-known internet celebrity named ‘Ye Jianan’ (叶建安) when he was suddenly attacked by a man in black wielding a bladed weapon (Police photographs suggest the weapon used was a ‘Wakizashi’ - or traditional Japanese ‘Short-Sword’ usually worn with the ‘Katana’ or Japanese ‘Long-Sword’).  The Attack Is Launched With Great Momentum! A Cut the Back Strikes First! During the fray - Shi Jiaming's left hand was cut off - whilst he and Ye Jian'an quickly fled the area – running for their lives! After the incident, the Police quickly apprehended the potential murderer – whose surname is ‘Luo’ (罗) - and sent the injured Shi Jiaming to the hospital for treatment. It is reported that the cause of the incident was a quarrel between Luo and Ye Jianan. Luo is from Sanming City, Fujian Province. He used to find a sense of ‘presence’ and ‘well-being’ in Ye Jianan's live broadcast chatroom - but was recently ridiculed and insulted by Ye Jianan. Feeling resentful - Luo took a bus from Sanming City to Xiamen and waited in ambush outside the college cafe. As Luo did not know who Shi Jiaming was – he mistook him for Ye Jianan's accomplice (and bodyguard) – and so attacked him!  The Sword May Well Be a 'Ninja' Type - Single-Handed Japanese Weapon! There were rumours on the Internet that Shi Jiaming could not be saved and had died. Obviously, these false ideas are not true.  The 'Stump' Is Secured! 2. The Hand Was “Surgically” Re-Attached! Fortunately, Shi Jiaming did not die due to excessive blood loss as falsely speculated by a number of people online. After emergency treatment by doctors - his severed hand was successfully re-attached, reset and fixed. The doctors stated that the cut was so ‘clean’ and ‘exact’ that it was easier to repair than if the cut had been haphazard or ‘jagged’ due to inexperience. This suggests Luo has had considerable martial arts experience with ‘foreign’ bladed weapons. Currently, Shi Jiaming is out of danger and is recovering. According to the doctor, if there are no complications (such as infection or rejection after the operation), he has a good chance of recovering all his hand function.  The Two Douyin Influencers Are Well-Known in China! Netizens expressed shock and outrage at the incident. Some people condemned Luo's cruelty and unreasonableness, some sympathized with Shi Jiaming's experience and loss, whilst others criticized Ye Jian'an irresponsibility and apparent cowardice in the face of danger. Some people also called for strengthening Internet usage regulations and legal education to prevent similar tragedies from happening again. Chinese Language Article: 厦门砍人事件后续，石佳明没有死，手已经接上，人在医院安好 2023-05-25 22:42
一、事件回顾 5月23日，一起惊人的砍人事件发生在厦门翔安区某学院内。一名抖音网红石佳明正在和另一名网红叶建安进行户外直播时，突然遭到一名持刀的黑衣男子袭击。 石佳明的左手被砍断，和叶建安夺路而逃。事发后，警方迅速出动，将凶手罗某抓获，并将受伤的石佳明送往医院救治。 据悉，这起事件的原因是罗某和叶建安之间的口角矛盾。罗某是福建三明市的人，曾在叶建安的直播间中找存在感，却遭到了叶建安的嘲讽和辱骂。罗某心生怨恨，从三明市乘车来到厦门，在学院咖啡厅外埋伏等待机会。由于不认识石佳明，罗某将他误认为是叶建安的同伙，便对他下了毒手。 有网络谣言说石佳明救不回了，已经死亡。 二、手已经接上 幸运的是，石佳明并没有因为失血过多而死亡。经过医生的紧急抢救，他的断手被成功接上，并进行了复位和固定。 目前，他已经脱离了生命危险，正在恢复期。据医生介绍，如果术后没有感染或排异等并发症，他有很大可能恢复手部功能。 对于这起事件，网友们纷纷表示震惊和愤慨。有人谴责罗某的残忍和无理，有人同情石佳明的遭遇和损失，有人批评叶建安的逃跑和不负责任。也有人呼吁加强网络文明和法制教育，避免类似的悲剧再次发生。  Grand Master Higaonna Morio - Hojo Undo is a Form of Traditional 'Weight-Training' Designed for Combat! These ideograms are written in Old Chinese Script - but pronounced using Japanese and Okinawan language. [square] brackets = Chinese pronunciations (round) brackets = Japanese-Okinawan pronunciations a) 補 (Ho) = [bu3] - increase, aid, repair, supplement, mend, compensate and nourish b) 助 (Jo) = [zhu4] - help, support, augment and assist c) 運 (Un) = [yun4] - transport, carry, utilise, revolve, buoyancy and fate d) 動 (Do) = [dong4] - move, act, alter, momentum and touch It seems that the four ideograms are deployed using two couplets: 1) 補助 (Hojo) = supplement and auxiliary [Buzhu] 2) 運動 (Undo) = sporting and competitive vigorous movement [Yundong] The following is a contemporary webpage from Taiwan (auto-translated into 'English' entitled '法規內容-教育部運動發展基金補助各級學校運動團隊作業要點') continuously uses the term '補助運動' (Hojo Undo - Buzhu Yundong) - which is used exclusively to refer to 'supplementary sporting exercises': The inclusion of the terms 'buoyancy', 'touch', 'transport', 'momentum' and 'fate' - all suggest an 'internal' management of the 'external' (physical) body (through the attainment of an 'effortless momentum'). Therefore, although this term is common-place in China - the mastery it refers to is certainly not common-place. On the one-hand, a man or woman might train to win a Gold Medal or World Title - but these achievements (as important as they are for the 'Nation') only fall inside the 'external' component of this term. On the other-hand, Karate-Do Styles such as Goju Ryu exemplify the principle of the 'internal' superseding the 'external' - even though a lifetime must be spent subsumed in the 'external' whilst attempting to understand this relationship and transition into the infinitely powerful 'internal' position. Of course, ultimately, both the 'external' and the 'internal' integrate into a perfect, functioning 'whole' - as can be seen during a perfect execution of a Kata.
Interesting - Thank for drawing my attention! The following is what I can Tell you. 搂 - lou3 = A mother spreading her arms (and hands) to embrace an object - pulling it close to her body (like a mother embracing a baby). This might be described as 'grappling' in English - just as grappling-hooks were once used in the Royal Navy to grip-hold of enemy ships (preventing their free movement) and 'pulling' these structures close so that 'Marines' could then jump onboard, neutralise the enemy crew and take control of their ship! 子 - zi3 = Son, off-spring (children) or 'Master' and 'Teacher' (I think this derives from the legends stating that Laozi - one of the founders of the Daoist religion - was born as an old man with white hair. Daoism advocates a rejuvenating wisdom that purports to create the state of 'Immortality'). Stepping inside the opponent's critical distance and thus 'taking away' their ability to respond effectively. Furthermore, the manner in how the opponent is tripped and thrown involves the deliberate 'hurting' of their body through impat with the ground. This exists within all traditional Chinese gongfu and involves the breaking of fingers and toes, joint dislocation, eye-gouging and groin-kicking. Punching the nose and throat is a basic requirement. A practitioner gets inside the opponent's guard (seen in this video) and takes control of the limbs and torso. A Master of this art 'prevents' the opponent initiating the smooth rolling seen within modern Judo, Aikido or Jiujitsu - as 'falling' in this context must inflict damage upon the opponent - a punishment considered 'just' within ancient China for starting a fight! This why training in this type of in-fighting requires the ability to roll on an unpadded floor. The inner art is to prevent the intended damage from the fall - by 'countering' its intent through 'correct' placement (usually at speed). This is a key factor within traditional Taijiquan practice.
Enter the Dragon - Bruce Lee's legacy Still Inspiring 50 Years After His Passing! (21.7.2023)7/21/2023  A man takes photos of an artwork at an exhibition commemorating Bruce Lee in Sham Shui Po of Hong Kong, south China, July 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Chu Mengmeng) HONG KONG, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The man, the myth, the legend. Bruce Lee was all of these things and more. On July 20, 1973, the world lost one of its most iconic and influential figures when he passed away suddenly at the age of 32. Yet, 50 years later, his legacy lives on, larger than life and more resonant than ever. Tourists flock to the Avenue of Stars along the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, a place of pilgrimage for Bruce Lee fans from around the world. They pause at Lee's bronze statue to pay tribute to the martial arts master, often laying flowers at the base of the two-meter-high effigy that showcases Lee's classic Jeet Kune Do move, inspired by his final complete film, "Enter the Dragon."  People visit an exhibition commemorating Bruce Lee in Sham Shui Po of Hong Kong, South China, July 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Chu Mengmeng) Source: Xinhua Editor: huaxia 2023-20-07 Shin Yong-woo from South Korea is one such fan who has travelled over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) to pay homage to his hero. He stood before the statue, dressed in black pants with his bare chest exposed, just like Lee frozen in frame by the monument. With a pair of nunchaku in his hands, Shin began his performance, twirling the weapons with fluid precision. A fan since he was nine years old, Shin credited Lee with inspiring him to learn Chinese martial arts. Some pay their respects with a simple bow or a moment of silence, while others perform their own martial arts routines in front of the statue, channelling their inner Bruce Lee. Unlike Shin, who reveres Lee's Kung Fu as a physical art form, Patrick Weber from Britain is more drawn to the deeper meaning and philosophy behind Lee's teachings. Weber held a 25-year-old "Enter the Dragon" poster as he took photos in front of the bronze statue. He also brought a thick album that documents his more than 50-year journey as a fan. Lee's legacy includes a collection of inspiring and insightful quotes that have resonated with people of all ages and backgrounds. "The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering." "The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus." "Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one." "I love his philosophy on life," Weber said. "And the multiculturalism he portrayed was exactly what the world needed at the time."  A fan pays tribute at Bruce Lee's bronze statue at the Avenue of Stars along the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, South China, July 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Duo) Born in San Francisco in 1940, Lee spent much of his childhood and formative years in Hong Kong, where his father was a well-known Cantonese opera singer. It was in Hong Kong that Lee began to study martial arts. His passion for Kung Fu and his innovative approach to martial arts quickly earned him a following in Hong Kong, where he starred in several successful films and TV shows. His fame and influence soon spread to other parts of China and Asia, inspiring a new generation of martial artists and popularizing Chinese culture and philosophy around the world. As one of Hollywood's most influential Chinese American actors, Lee introduced Chinese martial arts and its underlying culture and philosophy to the world through his films, and even brought the term "Kung Fu" into the English language. His confident portrayal of Chinese culture in martial arts movies continues to inspire people decades later. "He's so cool!" said Sophie Uekawa from Japan as she looked at the statue, reminiscing about her teenage years several decades ago. "In 1973, Bruce Lee's movies became a sensation in Japan when they were first released. The queues for his films were so long that they stretched for several blocks, and 'Enter the Dragon' played for more than a year in one cinema before it was taken."  A fan pays tribute at Bruce Lee's bronze statue at the Avenue of Stars along the Victoria Harbour waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, South China, July 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Chen Duo) In recent days, a series of commemorative events in Hong Kong have confirmed the enduring influence of the Chinese Kung Fu culture that Lee represented. The "Bruce Lee: A Timeless Classic" exhibition opened at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, showcasing various books, stamps, and figurines related to the superstar from different eras. The museum also has a permanent exhibition introducing his life story. Inside the exhibition hall, a wall of famous quotes presents Lee's philosophy: "Using no way as a way, having no limitation as limitation," "Success is a journey, not a destination," and more. Wang Wei, who works in the education industry, included the exhibition as one of the stops for Chinese mainland students on their educational tour of Hong Kong. "Bruce Lee is an important part of Hong Kong's pop culture and represents the Chinese spirit and character embodied by the people of Hong Kong," Wang said. "With a profound understanding of Chinese culture, he showcased the confidence of Chinese culture through Kung Fu." The Bruce Lee Foundation is holding its first "Camp Bruce Lee" event in Asia at the Hong Kong Heritage Museum, where about 30 primary school students from Hong Kong are experiencing Jeet Kune Do and learning about the star through various art forms over a few days. "This movie is about the history of Japanese imperialism invading China in the last century ..." Inside the museum, the guide points to a still from the movie "Fist of Fury" and introduces the plot to the young campers while explaining the national history. The still captures the moment when Lee's character Chen Zhen kicks down the "Sick Man of East Asia" sign in the movie. English Language Xinhua Article: Feature: Enter the Dragon -- Bruce Lee's legacy still inspiring 50 years after his passing
At the end of the day, in a threatening position, an individual purporting to practice a traditional (Chinese) martial arts - must be able not to win trophies or gain coloured belts or sashes - but rather REMOVE the systemic threat existing in the immediate environment through the use of a 'decisive' act of disciplined violence. Unlike the modified martial arts used within modern sports, an 'effective' technique being deployed in a 'live' situation does NOT need to look good or conform to an unreasonable 'aesthetic'. The person being threatened, at the moment the decisive action is being deployed, is entirely on their own for the duration of the conflict. Whatever happens next becomes a matter entirely of their own affair - as other people (logically) tend to 'distance' themselves from the conflict as a matter of life-preservation and self-defence by association. Of course, the action might go wrong and the chosen technique fail to work. Above, a conflict begins between two young men (speaking Putonghua) arguing over who has the right to 'sell' in a certain area - with an Old Man attempting to de-escalate the situation. The young man launches a 'punching' attack which works precisely as intended. The armed young man is knocked down and is unconscious for a short time. He is kept in place by a foot on the chest - as NO further action is used against him once the knife is taken away from him. As you can see - violence is a horrible answer to any question - and a well disciplined and peaceful society is preferred over that of a violent situation. In this circumstance, the young man with the knife may well be suffering from mental health issues that now need to be treated. Although violence is NOT the answer - even though it may be required at certain times - when violence is needed it must be decisive enough to END the over-all level of existential violence and prevent any further damage to society and the people living in it!
 My Maternal Grandfather 'Arthur Gibson' - Royal Navy (Left) - Master Chan Tin Sang (Centre) - My Paternal Grandfather 'Alfred Wyles' - Ox & Bucks Light Infantry (Right) Our Chinese grandfather - Chan Tin Sang (1924-1993) fought as part of the 'People's Militia' (with his Section also known as the 'Hakka Resistance') in the Hong Kong and New Territories region. When he recalled these events years later – he often described this time period (1941-1945) as ‘The years covered in blood.’ - as there was never a time that he was not covered in his own blood or the blood of his enemies. Hong Kong had been under the imperialist rule of the British from 1841-1941 - when the Imperial Japanese Army successfully overran the area - killing thousands of ethnic Chinese POWs and civilians in the process! Thousands of ethnic Indian and 'White' British soldiers were killed in combat, wounded and taken into captivity (where many were tortured). What follows is description of what the ethnic Chinese people experienced throughout Hong Kong and the New Territories – a reality either deliberately ignored or simply not known by Western historians and biographers. Part of the problem is not simply political bias or historical preference (although these two issues undoubtedly play their part) - but rather that not ALL ethnic Chinese people understood fully what was happening! The ‘White’ British Administration did not trust the ethnic Chinese population – as they were afraid of homegrown uprisings – but positively detested the Imperial Japanese! This is why the British Authorities ‘refused’ to arm the ethnic Chinese population at the beginning of the Japanese troubles! Rumours of a fifth column in Kowloon turned out not to be true (these groups were comprised of Japanese sleeper cells activated to meet and assist the incoming Japanese troops). As the British Authorities did not arm the local ethnic Chinese populations with modern firearms – these people (comprised of the Cantonese, Hakka, Hokkien and Teochew ethnic groups amongst others) had to rely upon their traditional martial arts skills to fight the Japanese invaders. This was NOT a problem as the ethnic Chinese attitudes were still very ‘feudalistic’ at the time and the martial arts incredibly effective on the battlefield and in self-defence encounters! How did (modern) British arms enter the area? This seems to have been through a behind-the-scenes agreement between the CPC and the British government. The People's Militia was organised by the Communist Party of China (CPC) - as the Nationalist government had no interest in Hong Kong being part of a united China again (for the British this must have been a tricky business as the CPC was not formally in power in China - nor was it ‘recognised’ by any ruling government outside the USSR). It is remarkable that given CPC troubles being experienced in Central and Northern China at the time (fighting the Nationalists and the Japanese) that it was able to 'project' its power into what was then a very distant and remote area – but the understanding that had been reached between the CPC and the British allowed a small trickle of UK arms into the region to be used by the local Chinese people! This 'Resistance' movement against the Imperial Japanese was permitted providing the CPC power structure (together with the British arms) be 'withdrawn' from the region following the eventual defeat of the Imperial Japanese! Our Hakka Chinese family clan in Sai Kung suffered terribly at the hands of the brutal Japanese - with women and girls routinely 'raped', 'tortured' and 'murdered'! Not only do we possess eye-witness accounts of this barbarism - but long before the internet the Japanese liked to 'photograph' (and sometimes 'film') their crimes for all to see! These are crimes that the Japanese committed all over China and Asia - and which the Japanese government has yet to properly acknowledge and apologise for! Chan Tin Sang was 17-years old in 1941 and 21-years old in 1945 - when the war ended. During that time, he lost most of his immediate relatives and was accustomed to fighting ‘hand-to-hand' with the fanatical Japanese soldiers - using his Hakka martial arts skills to survive (his father died fighting in this manner in 1944). Later, in search of a better life - Chan Tin Sang came to England in 1956 when he was 32-years old. He worked hard for 10-years in what became London's 'new' Chinatown and finally saved up enough money to bring his wife and daughters to the UK (as they already possessed 'British Citizenship') in 1966 (when he was 42-years old). He passed away in 1993 when he was 69-years old - which was quite old at the time - but many believe that the years of deprivation (and continuous violence) he experienced between 1941-1945 definitely shortened his lifespan. Sometimes - as individuals and groups - we possess no choice. By the time the Western allies were landing on Normandy 79-years ago – the Japanese Occupiers were still strong and effective throughout Hong Kong and the New Territories! It would be with the entry of the Soviet Red Army (during late 1945) into Manchuria that begin the demise of the Imperial Japanese Army and signal the return of the British to Hong Kong!
 Screenshot of Chinese costume Drama My Own Swordsman Blogger's Note: The Chinese martial arts manual mentioned in the below referenced article is termed the '易筋經' or the 'Yi Jin Jing' (or the 'Change Muscle-Tendon-Energy Channel Classic'). Within myth and legend, this manual is said to have been brought to China from India c. 520 CE by the Indian Buddhist monk known as 'Bodhidharma' (who is believed to have 'transmitted' the 'Dhyana' or 'Ch'an School of Mahayana Buddhism to China). My personal opinion is that the data contained in this manual may have been passed on orally - between Master and Disciple - for centuries BEFORE finally being written down and then evolving into the form known today. If this is not the case, then the Yi Jin Ying is a Qing Dynasty construction reflecting key elements of ancient Chinese martial arts practice - ascribed to mysterious and exotic origination! Perhaps the reality is a bit of both. Whatever the reality, the idea of the (Putonghua) '點穴' (Dian Xue) or 'Strike Point' concept and the '點脈' (Dian Mai) perhaps more readily known in the West by its 'Cantonese' expression of 'Dim Mak' (or 'Strike Channel') are well-known concepts within traditional Chinese martial arts. Within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) - these two terms refer to the same gongfu process of striking the exterior (and 'interior') of the opponent's body in such a manner that the 'Qi' (氣) vital force energy flow is either temporarily or permanently disrupted. This is designed to cause injury along a sliding scale of inflicted damage ranging from a minor (and short-lived) disruption of bodily functions - to devastating damage caused to the internal organs and deep bodily structures - designed to cause 'death' (indeed, it is believed that a true Master can 'strike' a specific medical point even without the opponent knowing - causing death many hours later). It may well be that '精' (Jing) or 'essential nature' and '神' (Shen) or 'expanded empty consciousness' are also 'disrupted' by using this gongfu method - but in different ways. An opponent may be psychologically 'unbalanced' by the presence of his adversary (disrupting 'Shen' with no actual blows being struck) or have the 'Jing' flow disrupted (if opponent is 'male') through a blow delivered to the genitalia or anywhere along the 'Conception' and/or the 'Governing' Vessels, etc. Of course, a powerful blow may be intended to only hit the 'outside' of the physical body structure of the opponent - or be designed to 'penetrate' through these external structures and 'pierce' the inner organs and deep bodily structures. This type of 'hitting' is a routine requirement in the mastery of traditional Chinese martial arts. The concept of '導引' (Dao Yin) or to 'Direct Stretch' - is the traditional foundation for the modern practice known as '氣功' (Qi Gong) or 'Vital Force Energy Cultivation'. ACW (13.4.2023)  Typical 'Stretching' Exercises Contained in the Yijing Jing! 2023-04-12 Ecns.cn Editor: Zhao Li (ECNS) -- In Chinese costume dramas, people often see a miraculous martial arts skill called Dian Xue (acupoint), which uses pressure points to control or immobilize an opponent. Dian means to strike with a finger and Xue means an acupuncture point. During fights, martial arts experts use their two fingers to swiftly and forcefully press on a certain part of the opponent's body, immediately immobilizing them. Compared to Dian Xue, the Yi Jin Jing in martial arts novels is even more miraculous. Yi Jin Jing is known as a classic book about Muscle and Tendon Changing. “Yi” means to change, “Jin” means tendons and muscles, and “Jing”, methods. Legend has it that anyone who masters the skills in this book can become a master of martial arts and even save others' lives, so martial artists eagerly pursue it. According to legend, credit for Yi Jin Jing's development is given to Da Mo (Bodhidharma), an Indian monk who lived in the Song Mountains in central China. Legend said that Yi Jin Jing was left behind by Bodhidharma after he departed the Shaolin Temple. However, there is some debate about the true origin. But Zhou Weiliang, professor at Hangzhou Normal University, believes that in reality, Dian Xue and Yijin Jing are not as mysterious as they are portrayed in television dramas. Yi Jin Jing includes the Dao Yin exercises and martial arts exercises. It emphasizes that the core of martial arts lies in internal strength, which is manifested from the inside out. There are no specific martial arts movements in the book. It mainly introduces some exercises to cultivate inner strength. The Dao Yin exercises are related to health preservation via meditation and practicing breathing.  An annotated edition of Yi Jin Jing In Qing Dynasty (1636 -1911), some stories mentioned the book Yij Jin Jing. Zhou said that many Qing Dynasty notes are similar to novels, and recorded events are more like stories, in which Yi Jin Jing was described as a "secret martial arts manual". Zhou believes that some of the descriptions of Yi Jin Jing in current Chinese martial arts novels may have adopted this setting from historical materials of the Qing Dynasty while adding more rich and complex plot lines. Yi Jin Jing also introduces finger strength training, which involves placing mung beans in a container and repeatedly inserting fingers among the beans to strengthen the hand. Over time, the fingers become as hard as stone and no one can resist them Some people believe that this may be one of the legendary Dian Xue techniques. However, Zhou believes that the ability to immobilize people with this technique may not actually exist. The miraculous effects are mostly exaggerated in novels and movies. English Language Article:
http://www.ecns.cn/m/news/cns-wire/2023-04-12/detail-ihcnkeae0516413.shtml |
AuthorShifu Adrian Chan-Wyles (b. 1967) - Lineage (Generational) Inheritor of the Ch'an Dao Hakka Gongfu System. Archives
August 2023
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