​Our Hakka gongfu training requires the carrying of heavyweights upon our backs. This represents the hilly terrain the Hakka people lived within throughout the New Territories, Hong Kong. Hakka Clan villages, especially by the 20th century, were often re-constructed upon the top of various hills situated in prominent good (feng shui) positions. The bones must be kept strong for building good health and ensuring longevity. Strong bones allow the bodyweight to drop down through the centre of the bone-marrow into the floor (creating a strong 'root') - and facilitates the rebounding force which is distributed (throughout the skeletal-system) to the striking part of the anatomy - be it a hand, foot, elbow, knee, fore-head or torso, etc. The Hakka people moved into the Guangdong area (that became the 'New Territories' under the British in the 1890s) in the mid-1600s - following the Manchurian invasion of China (which established the foreign 'Qing Dynasty' during 1644 CE). 

​Our 'Chan' (陳) Clan (pronounced 'Chin' in the Hakka language and 'Chan' in the Cantonese language) originally settled at the base of a hill near the coast in the Sai Kung area. I think we probably originated somewhere in Henan province (like many other Hakka Clans that I have investigated). Younger people often carried older relatives on their backs (as part of the required filial piety) up and down the hills - to and from various areas. Chinese families reflect the government and vice versa. One reflects the other whilst the notion of Confucian 'respect' permeates the entire structure. This is true regardless of political system, era, religion or cultural orientation. Many Daoists and Buddhists are Vegetarian - because they respect animals and the environment. 

When working as farmers - Hakka people carried tools, goods and the products of harvests on their backs between long hours working in the rice fields with the Water Buffalos. The continuous repetition of hand and foot movements - and the standing postures for long hours in the wind and rain - condition the mind and body for genuine Hakka gongfu training. Although there is an 'Iron Ox' gongfu Style (different to our own) - the spirit of the Ox pervades all aspects of the Hakka gongfu styles! Even so, our Hakka Style embodies the spirit of the Bear! We can fighting crouching low - or stand high giving the impression that we are bigger than we actually are! Our developed musculature is like the Ox and the Bear in that it is large, rounded and tough! We can take a beating and still manifest our gongfu Style with ease! We do not go quietly into that dark night! 

The above video shows Hakka people de-husking rise - with the standing person practicing 'Free Stance, rootedness and knee-striking, etc, and the crouching person showing a low Horse Stance and position for 'Squat-Kicking', etc, whilst demonstrating dextrous hand movements often found in gongfu Forms.  Of course, not all Hakka Styles are the same and there is much diversity throughout the Name Clans. Our Chan gongfu is Military-related and can be traced to the Qin Dynasty (221–206 BCE). I think there used to be a State Gongfu Manual (since lost) issued by the Qin Dynasty as part of the process of turning every village, town and city into a 'Barracks'.

​​Guiding the ploughs through the water and mud at the back of the Water Buffalos reflected the leg, arm and torso positions found within the Hakka gongfu. How the Hakka farmers stood still, stepped forward and back - side to side, tensed and relaxed their muscles, used their eyes and ears, and produced power and learned to give-way - all manifested in the various Hakka gongfu Styles. On Occasion, the Ox is given the day-off and the local people take to 'pulling the plough'!

​Our Hakka Gongfu is 'Longfist' based. Whereas many Hakka Clans - following our defeat at the end of the Punti-Hakka Clan Wars (1854-1867 CE) - Hakka people were ethnically cleansed into small areas of Guangdong province. Around 20 million people had died in this terrible war (which included the separate but related Taiping Rebellion - a Hakka-led war - fought for different reasons). The original 'Northern' Hakka Styles were persecuted and viewed as the vehicle through which the Hakka people had made war in the South of China (the area they had migrated into). The Hakka are patriotic Han Chinese migrants who fled the foreign invasion of Northern China - but who were not wanted or welcome within Southern China. Since the 1949 Revolution - things are very different today in China - as Hakka and non-Hakka now live side by side in harmony.

​When the various Hakka Clans 'shortened' the arm and leg movements of their gongfu Styles - to make these arts seem 'Cantonese' in origin - our Hakka Clan lived in a relatively remote area of South East Guangdong province and refused to do this. We practiced our 'Northern' Longfist martial arts in isolation and hid our gongfu in Temples grounds, behind walls and by practicing at night. Master Chan Tin Sang (1924-1993) fought and killed Imperial Japanese soldiers in the New Territories between 1941-1945 using our Hakka gongfu. Around 10,000 Hakka men, women and children were killed in this war fighting the modern Japanese soldiers using bare-hands and feet - and traditional weaponry. Many of our relatives were killed during this time. 

Master Chan Tin Sang came to the UK in 1956 - as a British Subject - to work for a better life, not because China is a bad place (it is not), but because life in the New Territories under British rule was continuously impoverished. Master Chan Tin Sang worked hard for 10-years before he earned enough money to bring his wife and two daughters to the UK (in 1966) - also as British Subjects. My Chinese relatives were NOT economic migrants, Asylum Seekers, or Refugees. My Chinese relatives do not follow Cults and are free-thinking individuals who are proud to be 'British' whilst supporting Mainland China's right to self-determinate - just like any Western country.

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! 

According to the People’s Daily the consensus is that Ma Baoguo is NOT a genuine martial arts ‘Master’ - but rather a highly effective ‘Front Man’ deliberately employing comedic routines – to ‘sell’ (at extortionate prices) made-up (and seemingly ‘random’) movements falsely presented as ‘Ancient’ elements of traditional Chinese martial arts! As numerous unseen individuals and business entities supported Ma Baoguo – he was compelled twice (during 2017 and 2020) to put his health and well-being on the line by ‘sparring’ (full contact) with much younger men despite already being in his mid to late 60s! As can be imagined, since becoming a media sensation the biography of Ma Baoguo is well-known in China! Despite the ‘Official Line’ emanating from within China (and echoed outside of China) stating that Ma Baoguo is ‘fake’, nevertheless, he does possess a martial background (which varies in degrees of legitimacy from ‘possible’ to ‘spurious’) – but which can be substantiated through a mixture of verifiable ‘Personal’ and ‘Public’ Records. This Record maybe summarised as follows: 

a) The Ma Family Martial Arts Style is known as the ‘Shandong Ma Family Martial art’ (山东马家功夫 - Shan Dong Ma Jia Gong Fu) and has been passed down as follows: 

i) ‘Ma Zhongyi’ (马忠义) taught his son ‘Ma Defeng’ (马德峰). 

ii) ‘Ma Defeng’ (马德峰) taught son - Ma Baoguo - from around 7-years of age (during 1959). 

iii) ‘Ma Baoguo’ (马保国) has taught his son - ‘Ma Xiaoyang’ (马晓阳). 

b) Ma Baoguo served for six-years in a PLA (Shandong) Garrison – stationed between 1970-1976 (where it is likely that he trained in militarised ‘Longfist’ [長拳 - Chang Quan]). 

c) Between 1982-1984 - Ma Baoguo (who was aged between 30-32 years old at this time) attended Xi'an University. Here, Ma Baoguo trained under Master Shang Ji (尚济) - a teacher who is universally recognised as a legitimate Xingyiquan (形意拳) practitioner. 

d) During 1987, Ma Baoguo met one ‘Guo Daxia’ (郭大侠) of ‘Wudang’ (武当) - a self-proclaimed lineage successor and ‘Great Hero’ of the ‘Wudang’ and ‘Emei’ (峨眉) martial traditions! This person is also known as ‘Guo Shanghai’ (郭升海). Ma Baoguo studied with this teacher – and later became a ‘Disciple’. 

e) During the summer of 1997, Ma Baoguo met Wang Changhai (王长海) - the second-generation descendant of Hunyuan (混元) Taiji (太极). Wang Changhai taught martial arts in the local park, and Ma Baoguo is recorded as participating in just ‘their’ (public) Push-Hands Classes. Although Ma Baoguo has claimed that Wang Changhai was his ‘Master’ and transmitted his Style to him - Ma Baoguo is not included amongst the ‘Official’ thirty-nine ‘Inheriting’ Disciples of the (Official) Hunyuan Taiji genealogy. 

He was born during 1952 in the Linyi (临沂) area of Northeast China’s Shandong province – but was raised further South - in Central China’s Henan province. His father was ‘Ma Defeng’ (马德峰) - who served in the Eighth Route Army, whilst his grandfather was ‘Ma Zhongyi’ (马忠义) - a bona fide martial artist. The Family Style passed down from ‘Ma Zhongyi’ (马忠义) to his son ‘Ma Defeng’ (马德峰) - was known as ‘Shandong Ma Family Martial art’ (山东马家功夫 - Shan Dong Ma Jia Gong Fu). Ma Baoguo started learning this martial art from his father at around 7-years of age (during 1959). At the end of 1968 (at 16-years old) - Ma Baoguo enrolled in Neixiang County Senior High School (Neixiang No. 1 High School) in Henan Province. During December 1970 (at 18-years old), Ma Baoguo, (who had successfully graduated from high school), joined the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and served in the Shandong Long Island Fortress for six-years (until 1976 – when he was 23-years old). Before the Spring Festival in 1976 (when he was 24-years old), Ma Baoguo married his fiancée - Chen Shumin (陈淑敏) - a good women who worked hard in the countryside. During March 1976, Ma Baoguo was demobilized from the PLA after six-years of Service - returned to Neixiang County. In May, he was assigned to Nanyang City as a worker. Despite the intrigue that developed during his later life, Ma Baoguo did have a youth immersed within martial arts and military study. 

A typical narrative suggests that in 2001, Ma Baoguo’s son – Ma Xiaoyang – enrolled to study for an academic Degree (Master of Business Administration) in the UK. Ma Baoguo was required to borrow a very large amount of money to finance this venture, and this created a large family debt. Ma Baoguo travelled to the UK in 2002 to assist his son through teaching Taijiquan to the British people – and it is here (and not in China) - where Ma Baoguo began to find fame and admiration! Between 2002-2007 he attracted thousands of British students all willing to pay for his instruction! This is how Ma Baoguo became very rich and managed to pay-off all his family debt! During February 2004, he founded the "British Hunyuan Taijiquan Association"! This was his first organisation which fed-back into his native China! On the strength of this achievement, during the Summer of 2013, Ma Baoguo, (together with his son - Ma Xiaoyang - and his fellow disciples) co-founded the ‘Hunyuan Xingyi Taiji Gate’ (浑元形意太极门 - Hun Yuan Xing Yi Tai Ji Men) - whilst still claiming a ‘hidden’ transmission from Wang Changhai (王长海) - an assertion that has not yet been convincingly ‘denied’ by the established followers of Wang Changhai. Ma Baoguo describes this organisation as an ‘Advanced’ Internal Chinese Martial Arts School. During the Autumn of 2015, Ma Baoguo assisted his son - Ma Xiaoyang - in founding the ‘Shanghai Hunyuan Martial Arts Temple’ (上海浑元国术馆 - Shang Hai Hun Yuan Guo Shu Guan) - serving as the ‘Honorary’ curator. 

On March 12, 2015, the then 64-year-old Ma Baoguo was in the UK once again on a short visit. During this time, he ‘hired’ a local MMA fighter turned-actor – ‘Peter Irving’ - for an hour of work. This involved set-piece photography and video scenes designed to highlight the Style of martial arts Ma Baoguo had developed! There was no fighting or conflict. Later, however, the footage was released on the internet claiming that Ma Baoguo had ‘challenged’ and ‘defeated’ an MMA European Champion! (There were also further spurious claims of another British fighter being defeated - supposedly later the same day).  

In 2017, the 65-year-old Ma Baoguo appeared in the public eye (in China) for the first time, He achieved this feat by agreeing to ‘fight’ the 37-year-old MMA fighter - Xu Xiaodong (徐晓冬) in Shanghai on June 26th! However, as the fight was about to start, the Police arrived and stated the venue was not suitable for such an event and that everyone was to peacefully leave! Many accused Xu Xiaodong of only agreeing to fight ‘old’ men and never anyone who could genuinely challenge him. The interest surrounding this intended event attracted thousands of people to the cause of Ma Baoguo and assisted in the boosting of his business interests! Meanwhile, Ma Baoguo implied that he had ‘won’ the 2017 fight by using ‘hidden’ spiritual powers that manipulated physical matter and took away Xu Xiaodong’s ability to fight – whilst rumours surfaced that in fact Ma Baoguo had ordered his nephew (‘Ma Bin’ - 马斌) to telephone the Police and ‘Report’ the venue for safety failings (the intercepted text is believed to have read ‘Quick - tell the Police before he kills me’)! Ma Baoguo denied this allegation – stating that he did not have a nephew named “Ma Bin”!  

This all fed into in Ma Baoguo’s clash with the 49-year-old ‘Wang Qingmin’ (王庆民) - a ‘folk martial artist’ (in fact, this former PLA soldier is an expert in Xingyiquan) - which occurred on May 17th, 2020, in the Zibo area of Shandong (although neither participant received any payment for taking part). This fight lasted no longer than 30 seconds and involved a 68-year-old Ma Baoguo being knocked-down three times by series of straight right punches landed by Wang Qingmin! Throughout the contest Wang Qingmin was ‘orthodox’ (with his left-hand and left-foot always forward) - whilst Ma Baoguo fought exclusively in ‘south-paw’ - with his right-hand and right-foot forward! This left Ma Baoguo continuously ‘open’ to Wang Qingmin’s straight-right' - which Ma Baoguo was unable to defend against! The first punch knocked Ma Baoguo’s head around four to six inches ‘backward’ from the vertical position and probably did all the damage – irreparably jarring the brain (in fact, these blows were two straight punches landed in quick succession). Momentum was added to Wang Qingmin’s blows by Ma Baoguo moving forward and slightly to his left (running on to the punches). ft It is remarkable that this 68-year-old man - ‘fake’ or not - managed to get straight to his feet to continue (with no ‘Ten’ count being administered at any point during the contest – although this might have been due to Ma Baoguo getting-up too quickly). In an attempt to avoid this straight-right – Ma Baoguo attempted to move backwards and to his right.  

However, as he was unable to move quickly enough, Wang Qingmin stepped into the empty space created (covering more ground) – landing a type of ‘sling-shotting’ (single) straight-right that was partially blocked by Ma Baoguo’s raised left-arm – but which still landed to the side of Ma Baoguo’s face. This set of combined movements effectively ‘knocked’ Ma Baoguo head and pelvic girdle quicker to his right than his legs could carry him (fatally altering his centre of balance) – and he fell once again (although I suspect his legs were still not working properly following the first knock-down). Yet again Ma Baoguo got to his feet – although by now he was looking very much like the old man he was. As there was nothing coming back from Ma Baoguo – Wang Qingmin had been allowed to establish the habit of ‘walking forward’ with virtually no guard – and this is exactly what he kept on doing. Ma Baoguo, on the other hand, continued to circle to his right – and it is at this point in the fight that the only kicks were thrown. As Ma Baoguo is ‘double-weighted’ (a habit seen in all beginners which causes a cognitive ‘delay’ between ‘preparing’ the body to throw a kick – and ‘actually’ throwing the kick) - he launches a front (heel) kick off his right-lag – but he does this by momentarily placing his left-leg forward (presumably in an attempt to gain momentum), a desperate move which missed its target (again, even taking into account his poor technique, I suspect his legs were not working properly following the accumulative effects of the knockdowns).  

Interestingly, Wang Qingmin appeared to block this attack by ‘kicking’ Ma Baoguo’s attacking kick with a right front (heel) kick of his own (thrown off his reverse-leg). Wang Qingmin then momentarily lands in a ‘southpaw’ stance (the only time he would do this during the entire contest) - simultaneously throwing a straight-right jab (which landed flush to Ma Baoguo’s chin). As Wang Qingmin is uncomfortable fighting in ‘southpaw’ - he immediately switched to his usual ‘orthodox’ stance – throwing yet another (reverse) straight-right punch which also landed flush on Mao Baoguo’s chin! Ma Baoguo absorbs the first ‘jab’ apparently unscathed – but as soon as the second punch lands (the two punches are about one-second apart) - his stunned and traumatised brain ‘switches-off’ all voluntary control of his body and he falls unconscious to the ground. Official and Medical personnel rush to the aid of the now supine Ma Baoguo – concerned that he may be seriously hurt. He remained unconscious for two-minutes.  

Chinese Language Sources: 

https://baike.baidu.com/item/马保国/50106525 
https://www.nanmuxuan.com/sport/ZLKeihvEUT.html 
https://freewechat.com/a/MzI3MzYwNTA2Ng==/2247485822/1 ​

Translator's Note: According to the HISTORY of the International Meibukan Goju Ryu Karate-Do Federation - during 1952 Miyagi Chojun gave permission for his leading disciple Mr. Yagi Akitoku [八木明德] (1912-2003) to establish his own Dojo! The following year (in 1953) Miyagi Chojun formally passed the 'robe' and 'belt' to Yagi Akitoku confirming his status as the lineage inheritor of the Goju Ryu Karate-Do lineage. Yagi Akitoku is also known as Yagi Meibukan - as 'Meibukan' (明布馆 - Ming Wu Guan) which translates as 'Bright' or 'Pure' 'Warrior Training Hall' - as this is the name he gave his first Dojo and the manner in which his lineage of Goju Ryu was referred to thereafter. Whilst researching the various histories of Goju Ryu preserved within the 'International Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate-Do Federation' (IOGKF) - I have never come across this man's name! Indeed, it was only whilst researching the history of 'Meibukan' on that Style's Hong Kong site (in preparation for translating this article) that I learned of Yagi Meibukan and the general attitude of respect that abounds for him amongst the martial arts community of China, Okinawa and Japan! I have 'Maria Manalastas' and her 2018 (Chinese language) article conveying her journey to Okinawa and her training in the Karate-Do of the MURASAKIMURA Dojo! She is a University student from the UK whose ancestry hails from the Philippines. As we have very close ties with the Filipino people - we welcome her interesting article - which I translate here! ACW (10.10.2022)

Hello everyone! I'm Maria from the Okinawa Holiday Hackers Editorial Department. It has been four months since I came to Okinawa, and now I am experiencing the Karate-Do Dojo in the kingdom of MURASAKIMURA. There I met Mr. Kinjo, Mr. Kevin and Mr. Florian! ​

Senior Instructor Kinjo (full name ‘金城 敬章’ - ‘Kinjo Hiroaki’) is the Head of the ‘International Meibukan Goju Ryu Karate-Do Federation’ - that is the ‘Bright Martial Training Hall’ which is said to be the ‘true’ and ‘genuine’ inheritor of Goju Ryu Karate-Do tradition as founded by Miyagi Chojun (1888-1953). The ‘Hard - Soft’ (Goju) Style of Karate-Do – as led by Kinjo Hiroaki is a member of the ‘Yomitan’ Branch of the ‘Daoist Alliance’.  ​

Mr. Kevin Chaplin and Mr. Florian Poupard are Technical Instructors associated with the Okinawa Traditional Kobayashi Ryu Karate-Do and Kobudo Federation and the World Shorin Ryu Society, passing on their knowledge of Karate-Do to the world. It is slightly bewildering to gain access to such expert teachers so easily! Mr. Kevin Chaplin, for instance, is British and started trained at just 12-years old – he earned his Black Belt at 24-years old! How long does it take to earn a Black Belt? Well, that all depends on motivation and circumstance.  ​

With regular training and a high standard of commitment coupled with excellent instruction – a Black Belt can be earned in three or four years – but it all depends. Some people like to take their time and progress slowly but surely – focusing on different skills and on overcoming various weaknesses or shortcomings. Sometimes, individuals have no interest in grading and spend years working-out at the back of the Dojo! I am told that an old Black Belt sometimes fades to ‘gray’ and that there are various types of Black Belt all the way up to ‘White Belt’ again – an honour rarely bestowed in Japan and Okinawa (and only then usually by the Japanese Government itself – as such an individual becomes a ‘National Treasure’)! This means the student has completed the entire circle of mind-body self-cultivation and is beyond grading! 
​
As the practice is barefoot – I do not need to wear trainers. Oh, I forgot to introduce myself! I am a student studying at a university in the UK. I am doing a one-year Internship in Okinawa, and I have been living in Okinawa, Japan since September 2017. Before coming to Okinawa, I thought about what I wanted to do, and thought of ‘Karate’ and ‘snorkelling’. Especially Karate for self-defence. The turbulent society here has granted me ‘opportunity’ and ‘result’! 

In the UK, I have also taken many Karate courses described as ‘Women's Self-Defence" - but no matter as they were all single-shot – and I have almost forgotten what I have learned before the next class. If you encounter an emergency, what skills should you use to deal with it? When asked this question I had no idea of the answer! I really want to learn about self-defence properly and to a greater depth. Even if it's just a little bit of good quality knowledge – such learning can make you feel more at ease! ​

When I was a child, I was often taught that ‘even at noon, never go out alone, and definitely go out with someone you know’, but this attitude did not teach us about self-defence, which made me feel very insecure as a child. When traveling alone from England to the unknown land of ‘Okinawa’, I decided to development my abilities and make the most of this time. After I asked Mr. Kinjo and Mr. Kevin who teach Karate-Do in MURASAKIMURA, they said that the techniques are different depending on the Karate-Do ‘Style’. I was surprised and found a more attractive side to Karate-Do than just self-defence. There are so many more and different elements than simply nullifying an attack! 
​
It may be an exaggeration to describe this, but through the principles of Karate-Do training - we can connect to our lives and discover our own true value! We become self-aware through the process of concentrating upon our body posture and movement – as well as upon being aware of our state of mind! Awareness in the mind ‘expands’ throughout the body and a general sense of ‘Wholeness’ develops!  

I am able to see things from a ‘Beginner’s’ perspective – even though I have a little bit of experience. Prior to coming to Okinawa I had no idea that Karate-Do has ‘different’ Styles!  Self-defence courses are very basic and do not bother with background information. The teachers charge a lot of money and spend a few hours showing the most basic movements. In the Dojo of MURASAKIMURA things are very different! Here, two ‘Styles’ share the training space harmoniously! This is the ‘Kobayashi Ryu’ Style (which moves sharply from left to right and right to left – whilst the ‘Goju Ryu’ Style uses big, circular movements which flow smoothly forward and back! In this Dojo the differences between Styles are respected and preserved – but this does not stop a positive interaction! ​

Although the MURASAKIMURA Dojo is very strict – it is also very welcoming, and thousands of people visit every year! This led to the development of the MURASAKIMURA Hotel which is not very far from the Dojo! We must enter the Dojo with respect by bowing at the door and walking calmly to our training spot on the Dojo floor. We then must sit down in the Japanese ‘Zen’ style and ‘meditate’ so that the mind and body ‘relaxes’ before the in-depth technical training begins. Leaving the stresses and tensions of the world ‘outside’ is a unique quality of ‘Karate-Do’ - and is certainly a cultural attribute I could not find in my home country of the Philippines! As training happens all through the day – the type of training varies depending upon the time of day (and the type of Yin-Yang energy in the air). After meditation we loosen the body from bottom to top and work on strengthening. After that there is technical practice, Kata and sparring, etc. Although basic agendas are followed – sometimes individual students have come for a particular type of training and the teacher(s) separate the class into appropriate groups.  

From the tips of the toes to the top of the head and to the tips of fingers – every part of the body was systematically trained so that the next day I was as stiff as a board and thought my body was going to fall apart! The instructors are happy to share a joke or have a laugh – but do not over-step the line of respect or the training will take an unexpected turn! Although this Dojo is open to the general public - ‘special’ classes also are given for disciples and students who are looking to achieve a very high level in Karate-Do! This training is different and not for the faint of heart – although we were not allowed to see any of it. We were told ‘stories’ by other students although the instructors said nothing. One of my favourite areas of Karate-Do is the weapons training! I had never seen this in the UK and absolutely love all the different implements! This was the area I requested extra training within. One of the stories is that an Okinawan King once banned weaponry amongst the population – and so all the Karate-Do weapons look like farming tools!  
​
Every part of the Dojo floor must be regularly cleaned and maintenanced. The Okinawans (who follow many Chinese customs) say it is an ‘honour’ to do this! To make this system work, everyone must be polite and well disciplined! There are many different training paths being pursued at any one time – and rarely are you left alone. I personally like it when large groups all move together – punching, kicking and blocking their way up and down the hall! It takes tenacity to enter the Karate-Do Dojo every day and voluntarily submit yourself to the hard discipline of Karate-Do training! Teacher Kevin seems to have some doubts about modern karate. Nowadays, many people just want to learn the skills that appear in the movies or the movements that can get high scores in the competition. However, compared with those who just want to get the first place, the number of learners who aim to get a Black Belt has gradually increased recently, and the teachers are also very happy because of this. ​

Original Chinese Language Source: ​

https://ohh.okinawa/zh/article/896/ ​

Mr. Huang Teng (黄腾) - Vice President of Fuzhou Wushu Association 

During the Daoguang (道光) era of the Qing Dynasty (1820–1850 CE) - Zheng Li was exiled in the Fuzhou area with his disciples. One of his disciples was named ‘Lin Shixian’ (林世咸) and it is this man (known as being from the Quanzhou area) who is considered the Founding Patriarch of the ‘Whooping Crane Fist’ (鸣鹤拳 - Ming He Quan) martial system. One day, Lin Shixian visited the Buddhist ‘High Convent’ (高庵 - Gao An) Temple (堂 - Tang) situated in the Yixu area of Fuzhou. Here, he encountered a Shaolin monk who was an expert in the ‘Shaolin Arahant Fist’ (少林罗汉拳 - Shao Lin Luo Han Quan) system. They agreed to participate in a friendly sparring match whereby Lin Shixian impressed and mesmerised the crowd with the beauty and majesty of his ‘White Crane Fist’ ability! Although considered a draw – both men became very good friends and shared their respective knowledge with one another!  

The esteemed Shaolin monk had a disciple named ‘Lin Dachong’ (林达崇) - who was also called ‘Pan Yu Ba’ (盘屿八) - who witnessed this sparring match and who was transfixed by the ‘White Crane Fist’ that he saw, and he decided to follow Lin Shixian back to his home in Quanzhou. Lin Dachong believed that the ‘White Crane Fist’ was truly magical and mysterious! Lin Dachong knelt down with respect in front of Lin Shixian and begged to be accepted as his disciple! He also made the request that Lin Shixian stay and teach him in the Pan Yu area of Fuzhou! Although Lin Shixian was a very strict and serious individual – he agreed to accept Lin Dachong as a disciple AND to stay and teach him in Pan Yu! This is why Pan Yu has become the birthplace of the ‘Whooping Crane Fist’ both in China and abroad! When Lin Dachong became a great teacher in his own right, he took on a disciple named ‘Xie Chongxiang’ (谢崇祥) to whom he taught the true essence of his martial arts style! Xie Chongxiang was a shoemaker in the Daibian (岱边) Village of the Guhuai (古槐) Township located in the Changle County area of Fuzhou! Xie Chongxiang was known locally as ‘Xie Ru Ru’ (谢如如) and by his martial arts students as ‘Ru Shi’ (如师). Xie Ru Ru became very famous and attracted hundreds of students and disciples. One such disciple was from the Chinese region of Ryukyu (which was invaded and occupied by Japan in 1879 and which is now known as ‘Okinawa’). This man was called ‘Higaonna Kanryo’ (东恩纳宽量 - Dong En Na Kuan Liang) [1853-1915] and he was the expert of the ‘Naha Hand' (那霸手 - Na Ba Shou) fighting system from the Ryukyu. He was a Master of ancient martial techniques involving the old weaponry of his island nation (古武道 Gu Wu Dao) - known in Japan as ‘Kobudo’. He was from a village in the Western area of Naha city. He arrived in our area of Fuzhou in 1877 and had specifically made the journey (across the sea) to pay his respects to ‘Ru Shi’. Xie Ru Ru accepted him as a disciple and taught him intensely for three full years before Higaonna Kanryo returned to Ryukyu where he started teaching ‘China Hand’ (唐手 - Tang Shou). This is how ‘Whooping Crane Fist’ was introduced into Okinawa and Japan – and explains how later it evolved into modern ‘Karate-Do’ (now termed ‘Empty Hand Way’). Although typical of a Chinese folk martial art found in the Fuzhou area - ‘Whooping Crane Fist’ has now developed into the Goju Ryu style of Karate-Do – which is now very popular in Japan and throughout the world!   
​
Old Mr Yu (余) has told us about these facts. He is qualified in science and engineering (working in the car industry in his youth) and believes that martial arts should be studied through scientific facts. He has viewed important historical documents and has checked these facts with many other learned individuals. He explained that when young he held the prejudiced and bias views of the traditional mind-set – but after receiving an advanced education and learning about the scientific method – he understood that an objective fact must be established through multiple points of references and not through one dominant and yet limited point of view! This is why he abandoned his sectarian views and started listening to others and holding debates with many different types of people! This is how he improved his personal knowledge and strengthened his understanding of the theory and practicing of Fuzhou martial arts! Old Mr Yu believes that martial arts should be a kind of learning through communication. For modern people, such a profound learning experience is very important! Chinese martial arts must pay attention to progressive change. It is not enough to learn a single movement, and the profound essence of a movement cannot be learned overnight. Therefore, students come to visit and study every year! Only when you have a profound interest will you understand the breadth and depth of genuine martial arts (武术 - Wu Shu). Therefore, many foreign friends come to Fuzhou to learn genuine Chinese martial arts - including ‘Earthquake Fist’ (地术拳 - De Shu Quan), ‘Crane Fist’ (鹤拳 - He Quan) and ‘Arahant Fist’ (罗汉拳 - Luo Han Quan), etc, as well as many other martial style, systems and schools! Due to this diversification, extensive circles of world-wide communication have developed between Chinese people and people from all over the world! This is how the Fuzhou martial culture has developed modern China and brought a profound meaning to the lives of countless individuals from all around the world! This is how many different people use an element of ancient China martial culture in a manner which links many different people together! The attitude today is that Chinese martial culture now belongs not only to the Chinese people – but also to the many different people of the world! We must all study and learn together with an attitude of mutual respect! With regards to modern, Japanese Karate-Do – please come to Fuzhou and we will show you where your ‘Chinese’ martial art originates! We now preserve our traditional Chinese martial arts – but we now share these martial arts with everybody around the world who wants to learn! ​

Origin of ‘Whooping Crane Fist’ (鸣鹤拳 - Ming He Quan) 

Xiao Yujun (小鱼君) - can you give a basic description and outline of the ‘Whooping Crane Fist’ style’ How old is it and what is its history? 

According to legend, ‘Whooping Crane Fist’ developed from the ‘Yongchun’ (咏春) variant of Fujian ‘White Crane Fist’ (白鹤拳 - Bai He Quan). Due to various outside influences and experiences, the ‘Whooping Crane Fist’ style gradually evolved out of the Fujian ‘White Crane Fist’ style and took its place as a legitimate Fuzhou self-defence and self-cultivation system! Regarding history, the length of existence for Fujian ‘White Crane Fist’ is really quite long.
​
There have been at least four great generations of Yongchun name clans who have significantly developed, preserved and passed on the ‘essence’ (精 - Jing) of the ‘White Crane Fist’ style! This style was passed on by the great Qing Dynasty martial artist known as ‘Zheng Li’ (郑礼), but has also been preserved as family traditions within the Lin (林), Chen (陳), Cai (蔡), Qiu (邱), Wu (吴), Xu (许), Kang (康), Zhou (周), Yan (颜), Zhang (张) and Li (李) clans amongst now many others in China and around the world. This exceptional group is referred to (and known) as the Twenty-Eight ‘Heroic Geniuses’ (英俊 - Ying Jun) - as every single individual became famous!  ​

During the Daoguang (道光) era of the Qing Dynasty (1820–1850 CE) - Zheng Li was exiled in the Fuzhou area with his disciples. One of his disciples was named ‘Lin Shixian’ (林世咸) and it is this man (known as being from the Quanzhou area) who is considered the Founding Patriarch of the ‘Whooping Crane Fist’ (鸣鹤拳 - Ming He Quan) martial system. One day, Lin Shixian visited the Buddhist ‘High Convent’ (高庵 - Gao An) Temple (堂 - Tang) situated in the Yixu area of Fuzhou. Here, he encountered a Shaolin monk who was an expert in the ‘Shaolin Arahant Fist’ (少林罗汉拳 - Shao Lin Luo Han Quan) system. They agreed to participate in a friendly sparring match whereby Lin Shixian impressed and mesmerised the crowd with the beauty and majesty of his ‘White Crane Fist’ ability! Although considered a draw – both men became very good friends and shared their respective knowledge with one another!  ​

The esteemed Shaolin monk had a disciple named ‘Lin Dachong’ (林达崇) - who was also called ‘Pan Yu Ba’ (盘屿八) - who witnessed this sparring match and who was transfixed by the ‘White Crane Fist’ that he saw, and he decided to follow Lin Shixian back to his home in Quanzhou. Lin Dachong believed that the ‘White Crane Fist’ was truly magical and mysterious! Lin Dachong knelt down with respect in front of Lin Shixian and begged to be accepted as his disciple! He also made the request that Lin Shixian stay and teach him in the Pan Yu area of Fuzhou! Although Lin Shixian was a very strict and serious individual – he agreed to accept Lin Dachong as a disciple AND to stay and teach him in Pan Yu! This is why Pan Yu has become the birthplace of the ‘Whooping Crane Fist’ both in China and abroad! When Lin Dachong became a great teacher in his own right, he took on a disciple named ‘Xie Chongxiang’ (谢崇祥) to whom he taught the true essence of his martial arts style! Xie Chongxiang was a shoemaker in the Daibian (岱边) Village of the Guhuai (古槐) Township located in the Changle County area of Fuzhou! Xie Chongxiang was known locally as ‘Xie Ru Ru’ (谢如如) and by his martial arts students as ‘Ru Shi’ (如师). Xie Ru Ru became very famous and attracted hundreds of students and disciples. One such disciple was from the Chinese region of Ryukyu (which was invaded and occupied by Japan in 1879 and which is now known as ‘Okinawa’). This man was called ‘Higaonna Kanryo’ (东恩纳宽量 - Dong En Na Kuan Liang) [1853-1915] and he was the expert of the ‘Naha Hand' (那霸手 - Na Ba Shou) fighting system from the Ryukyu. He was a Master of ancient martial techniques involving the old weaponry of his island nation (古武道 Gu Wu Dao) - known in Japan as ‘Kobudo’. He was from a village in the Western area of Naha city. He arrived in our area of Fuzhou in 1877 and had specifically made the journey (across the sea) to pay his respects to ‘Ru Shi’. Xie Ru Ru accepted him as a disciple and taught him intensely for three full years before Higaonna Kanryo returned to Ryukyu where he started teaching ‘China Hand’ (唐手 - Tang Shou). This is how ‘Whooping Crane Fist’ was introduced into Okinawa and Japan – and explains how later it evolved into modern ‘Karate-Do’ (now termed ‘Empty Hand Way’). Although typical of a Chinese folk martial art found in the Fuzhou area - ‘Whooping Crane Fist’ has now developed into the Goju Ryu style of Karate-Do – which is now very popular in Japan and throughout the world!   ​

Old Mr Yu (余) has told us about these facts. He is qualified in science and engineering (working in the car industry in his youth) and believes that martial arts should be studied through scientific facts. He has viewed important historical documents and has checked these facts with many other learned individuals. He explained that when young he held the prejudiced and bias views of the traditional mind-set – but after receiving an advanced education and learning about the scientific method – he understood that an objective fact must be established through multiple points of references and not through one dominant and yet limited point of view! This is why he abandoned his sectarian views and started listening to others and holding debates with many different types of people! This is how he improved his personal knowledge and strengthened his understanding of the theory and practicing of Fuzhou martial arts! Old Mr Yu believes that martial arts should be a kind of learning through communication. For modern people, such a profound learning experience is very important! Chinese martial arts must pay attention to progressive change. It is not enough to learn a single movement, and the profound essence of a movement cannot be learned overnight. Therefore, students come to visit and study every year! Only when you have a profound interest will you understand the breadth and depth of genuine martial arts (武术 - Wu Shu). Therefore, many foreign friends come to Fuzhou to learn genuine Chinese martial arts - including ‘Earthquake Fist’ (地术拳 - De Shu Quan), ‘Crane Fist’ (鸣鹤拳 - Ming He Quan) and ‘Arahant Fist’ (罗汉拳 - Luo Han Quan), etc, as well as many other martial style, systems and schools! Due to this diversification, extensive circles of world-wide communication have developed between Chinese people and people from all over the world! This is how the Fuzhou martial culture has developed modern China and brought a profound meaning to the lives of countless individuals from all around the world! This is how many different people use an element of ancient China martial culture in a manner which links many different people together! The attitude today is that Chinese martial culture now belongs not only to the Chinese people – but also to the many different people of the world! We must all study and learn together with an attitude of mutual respect! With regards to modern, Japanese Karate-Do – please come to Fuzhou and we will show you where your ‘Chinese’ martial art originates! We now preserve our traditional Chinese martial arts – but we now share these martial arts with everybody around the world who wants to learn! ​

Yu Danqiu (余丹秋) and the Origin of ‘Whooping Crane Fist’ (鸣鹤拳 - Ming He Quan) ​

Mr Xie Chongxiang (谢崇祥) passed on his art to Xiao Shuide (萧铄德). Mr Xiao Shuide (萧铄德) passed on his art to Mr Yu Baoyan (余宝炎). Remember – Mr Xiao Shuide (萧铄德) learned directly from Xie Chongxiang! Mr Yu Baoyan (余宝炎) passed on his art to his son Mr Yu Danqiu (余丹秋). Therefore, Mr Yu is proficient in martial arts, medicine, Classical literature, morality, virtue, righteousness and duty, etc. He is a world-renowned expert in Fuzhou martial arts and is known to be a great scholar. Due to his expertise and knowledge, he is invited to teach and lecture in Singapore and Japan (and other countries) in a continuous manner! This is the building of many friendly cultural bridges between China and many other countries using traditional Chinese martial arts as a springboard! His son, Mr Yu Danqiu, has been entrusted with the production of the true history of his family’s martial arts! Furthermore, His educated and cultural views on the history and culture of Chinese martial arts are also unique. ​

This is a conversation between Xiao Yujun and Mr Yu Danqiu: How Did We Bond with Mr George? ​

Mr Yu mentioned that he met and taught Mr George - from the UK – who had originally visited Japan to study karate for three years. After his Japanese teacher explained about the Chinese origins of karate, Mr George started to visit Fuzhou on a regular basis seeking genuine knowledge about the ‘Whooping Crane Fist’ style! He was eventually introduced to Mr Yu – and his search for genuine knowledge paid dividends! This is when Mr George naturally started to practice ‘Whooping Crane Fist’! After studying hard and diligently in Fuzhou under the watchful eye of Mr Yu – Mr George mastered the foundational teachings and was able to return to the UK and pass on his experience to White Crane enthusiasts in the UK! He then brought these students to Fuzhou to meet Mr Yu and train with him personally! This interaction is an excellent model for spreading Chinese martial arts abroad, and for foreign students to benefit from the openness of modern Chinese martial culture! Mr Yu said that he looks forward to the day that Chinese martial arts become ‘normal’ and represented at the Olympic Games! The point of this interaction is that we can help and assist one together and achieve all our objectives together! Mr Yu, although modern in many ways, still does not like teaching people just because they possess large amounts of money! This situation does not show the true character of an individual and students and disciples should be carefully chosen to avoid future problems! Genuine martial arts are like a jewelled sword which is handed to a hero whose character is pure and who can be entrusted to perform his or her duty with a pure mind and clean body! This is why Mr Yu does not teach everyone directly. A ‘Whooping Crane’ is meek, modest and retiring – it never initiates an attack and always defends itself by attacking the opponent from behind! Therefore, morality and true intention are very important! If genuine gongfu is passed on to people with bad morals or lack of understanding - it will have a negative impact on the heritage of the entire fighting tradition! Modernity is important, but the good aspects of tradition must still be preserved – this is particularly true where many martial arts have been reduced to mere commodities for making money – this is no good for the psychological and physical health of the individual and is no good for society at large! Mr Yu states continuously that traditional Chinese martial arts are very difficult to learn and perfect! That is the point of their purpose! The foundation of any genuine martial art from Fuzhou is tough and difficult and involves much body and mind strengthening that many young or shallow-minded people cannot stand to learn or bear to suffer! Can you hold a deep Horse Stance for one hour? Even if you can take the purifying pain – can you bear the boredom of repeating the same basic techniques over and over again?  ​

Mr George Listened Patiently to All This and Replied: ​

Master Yu's ‘foreign apprentice - Mr. George - explained us that about ten years ago, when he was studying karate in the UK, Mr George himself wanted to know more about the origin of his martial arts. His teacher advised him to go to Okinawa, Japan and investigate... He did not hesitate to go to Okinawa, in Japan to better learn the skills of Goju Ryu karate - and the hard work made him addicted!  ​

When he heard from his teacher of Goju Ryu that his martial technique derived from the Fuzhou style of ‘Whooping Crane Fist’, he immediately told his teacher that he wanted to go to Fuzhou. Since that time, he has now been practicing ‘Whooping Crane Fist’ under the guidance of Master Yu for a long time now! The beginning was not easy, however, as he had to communicate for quite some time before Master Yu agreed to accept him as a disciple! Eventually, after an in-depth study and discussion, both agreed that there should be an official public ceremony confirming this appointment! As Master Yu was willing to accept Mr George as a disciple, this made him very happy – explained Mr George during our conversation.  ​

Mr George also told us: "In traditional martial arts, apprenticeship is about fate, and the traditional apprenticeship is often too solemn - and the atmosphere is too dignified. My Master thinks this might be too excessive in the modern age, and I tend to agree. We can keep the respect and the profound sense of duty – but we can also modernise the ritual to make such an undertaking relevant for a contemporary person! We made the ceremony less strict but just as meaningful. We have used a longer time period and focused on training rather than ritual! Indeed, we chose a ten-month time period for preparation! ​

https://c.m.163.com/news/a/ECQH021D0525I8S7.html?referFrom= 

藏在繁街市井的武林风云——鹤唳长鸣 拳纵武林 
福州小鱼网 
2019-04-15 14:58 
武林·风貌 
-- 小鱼君，来到了...三坊七巷一处神秘的... 
-- 将有一场充满“武林大会”神秘的仪式... 
-- 稍后这场神秘的拜师仪式即将揭开神秘面纱 
-- 神秘的武林慢慢地...拉开了序幕...... 
白鹤双飞 
林应术 
形清神静体尚洁 声鸣九皋丹顶鹤 
食不离水喙尖长 喜集劲松迎宾客 
赤睛露睛则视远 轻前重后以善舞 
高脚洪髀常独立 毛丰肉疏爱双飞 
脩颈大喉宜吐纳 寿不可量羽宗师 
（本诗为缅怀已故鸣鹤拳大师—陈世鼎） 
鸣鹤拳的源来 
小鱼君先给大家科普一下，鸣鹤拳为什么叫做鸣鹤拳？它的历史究竟有多悠久... 
鸣鹤拳相传由福建咏春白鹤拳衍化发展产生，逐步形成福州鹤系中的鸣鹤拳。 
柠檬｜摄 
这段历史颇为悠长，要从清朝康熙年间（公元1662~1722年）的福建福宁北门外少林拳师方种的独生女儿方七娘，这里讲起；七娘自幼承家学武术，练就一身武艺，因父武败亡，心丧成伤之际偶见一白鹤昂首振羽，舞脚弄翼等奇妙姿态，日夜揣摩衍化，揉合于少林拳术，创出别具一格的白鹤拳。咏春人曾四得其精传，逐步发展完善，并传郑礼、林、蔡、邱、吴、许、康、周、颜、张、李等世称二十八英俊，皆为一代名宿。 
图为福州武术协会副会长 黄腾先生 柠檬｜摄 
清道光年间，郑礼谪传弟子、福州鸣鹤拳世祖林世咸（俗称泉州仔），游玩福州义序高庵堂，以白鹤神技折服本寺少林罗汉拳高僧，并成挚友。高僧之徒盘屿林达崇（俗称盘屿八）目睹两人较技全过程，对白鹤拳神技惊讶不已，在奉送林世咸回泉州途中跪地恳留到盘屿赐教，林世咸传武林达崇，由此盘屿成为福州鸣鹤拳的发源地而闻名海内外。林达崇传福州长乐古槐乡岱边村鞋匠谢崇祥（谢如如，俗称如师）。谢师的门徒弟子众多，其中琉球国（现为日本冲绳县）那霸“手中兴”（古武道）鼻祖东恩纳宽量（1853年——1915年）最为著名，其为那霸西边村人，自1877年渡海来榕拜谢崇祥（如师）为师，三年后学成回国，开设唐手武道，至此，中国民间武术——福州鸣鹤一脉传入琉球，时至今日演变成为日本刚柔流空手道，而刚柔流在日本颇具盛名。 
图片｜来源于网络 
余丹秋与鸣鹤拳的渊源 
谢崇祥先生传艺于萧铄德，而余宝炎先生拜萧为师学习拳术，萧又将其引荐于谢师，受谢师的亲自指点（谢师即谢崇祥）。而余丹秋老先生师承其父亲于余宝炎老先生，余老先生精通武、医、学，品德武德高尚，武艺超群，曾多次应邀出访新加波、日本等国，为中华武术走向世界而架桥铺路；其子余丹秋老先生则授得其武学真传，对于武术的见解也独具一格。 
小鱼君与余丹秋老先生的一段交谈： 
余老这样告诉我们：他年轻时曾是一名汽车工程师，所以在武术理论方面极为重视科学实践。他抛弃门派之见，博采众长，不断完善本门拳法理论。余老先生认为，武术应该是一种交流学习，对于现代人而言，学习者体验很重要。中国武术讲究变化，不是单一学习动作就可以的，不是一朝一夕就能学完的，所以每年都有学生来拜访学习。有了兴趣才会了解武术的博大精深，有许多外国友人因此来到福州学习武术，包括地术拳、鹤拳、罗汉拳等门下都有许多外国弟子。他们也有各自的交流圈，其中有兴趣的人也会跟随学习。这也是让中国武术走出国门，让不同的拳种走出国门，让更多国家的外国友人了解中国武术的渊源流传，与空手道有着如何的渊源。作为武术技艺传承人要做的事就是让世界更多的了解我们中国的传统武术。 
谈起如何与乔治先生结缘？ 
余老先生谈起，来自英国的乔治先生从英国到访日本学习了三年空手道， 经过日本老师的讲述空手道的起源后，乔治先生曾先后多次来访福州探访关于鸣鹤拳的消息，最终多次打听才找到余老，在这里学习鸣鹤拳技艺。乔治先生平时刻苦努力地学习的同时也将自身技艺传授给英国本土的武学爱好者，让有兴趣的学生来到榕城学习鸣鹤拳。以此也可以扩大对中国武术的宣传，余老也说道我们的目标是将中国武术纳入奥运会的项目，前提是我们自己要做好。这需要我们作为习武之人的共同努力。 
图为乔治先生上台发言 柠檬｜摄 
余老说到武术传承，余老先生认为，武术就像一把宝刀，宝刀赠英雄，是不能谈钱的，因此，他在择徒方面非常谨慎，这样有利于拳术的传承。鸣鹤拳本身讲究后发制人，并非霸道的拳术，注重以德为先。如果把真正的功夫传给品德不好或悟性不足的人，会对拳术传承造成不良影响。针对目前传统武术流失情况严重这一现象，余会长说，传统武术训练较为刻苦，而且强调基本功的训练，一般的人受不了这份苦，也不能忍受基本功训练的枯燥，所以导致传统武术后继乏人。 
来自英国的乔治先生告诉我们： 
余师傅的“洋”徒弟—乔治先生告诉我们：大约十年前，他在英国学习空手道时，乔治先生自己想要更深入了解他的武术渊源，他的师傅告诉他说道：你可以去日本冲绳看看... 
“我毫不犹豫去到日本冲绳学习刚柔流空手道技艺，刻苦的学习让我沉迷。我从师父那听闻刚柔流是源自福州鸣鹤拳一脉的技艺的时候，我就和我的师傅说我想要来福州。跟随余师傅学习鸣鹤拳很长时间了，经过一段时间的互相之间交流，余老师也默许了我这个徒弟，最后我们一同选在今日这个时间进行正式的拜师行礼，余师傅也愿意收下我做为弟子，这让我感到十分的高兴。”交谈中乔治先生这样说到。 
图为乔治先生（图左）与郑廷仁先生（图右） 柠檬｜摄 
乔治先生还告诉我们：“武术，拜师讲究缘分，按照传统的拜师又显太庄重，气氛太凝重，我的师傅不喜欢这样，我也不喜欢。为了让这场拜师不显得太随意，得正式一些，又不会显得过于庄重。这场拜师仪式整整筹划了十个月的时间”。 
图为 余丹秋老师（图左）和林善泉老师（图右） 柠檬｜摄 
-- 小鱼君也很为乔治先生感到高兴 
-- 乔治先生终于如愿以偿成为了余老先生的弟子 
-- 鸣鹤拳门下又多了一股新生力量 
-- 看到这，是不是觉得“武林”背后的故事 
-- 很吸引你呢？ 
-- 别着急 
-- 小鱼君还会带你 
-- 看到更多不一样的“武林” 
-- 敬请期待吧~ 
特别声明：本文为网易自媒体平台“网易号”作者上传并发布，仅代表该作者观点。网易仅提供信息发布平台。 


 




 


 

This is not exactly the same as Bare Knuckle Boxing as practiced in the contemporary West – but might be nearer to the ‘bare knuckle’ equivalent (under the ‘London Prize Fighting Rules’) practiced in the West prior to the advent of the Queensbury Rules and the implementation of ‘gloved’ fighting (in the late 1800s). Indeed, the further back in time the comparison is taken – the nearer the two forms of combat become – with Western boxing originally involving throwing and kicking, and used as an unarmed augmentation to fighting with staffs, swords and pistols, etc. A book I read in my youth in the UK was entitled ‘Cross-Buttocks and Claret’ - referring to bloody public spectacles of punching, kicking, tripping and throwing!  
 ​

My father (Peter Wyles) – from the working-class slums of Leicester was taught by his father (Alfred Gregory Wyles 1916-1976) the bare-knuckle style passed-on by his father (Archibald Britton Wyles 1887-1941 – born in Duddington, Northamptonshire). A bolt upright – two-armed affair that relied on a solid and repetitive jab occasionally follow by a straight-right – the closed hand of which would habitually be used to protect the chin when not being thrown (the 'point' of the chin 'sits' in the 'eye' of the closed-fist). Coupled with elaborate foot-work and ‘swaying’ from the hips – no hooks were used. The arms were used like ‘bats’ to ‘catch’ and ‘hit’ away any incoming blows – including head-butts and elbows. Correct-positioning overcame rapid and continuous movement whilst power of punch overcame diversity of punch. I suspect that in an era when people in the West had never encountered Asian martial arts (or ‘French Savate’), the general paradigm around ‘fighting movement’ would have been quite different and premised upon historical Western institutions involving fighting arts and any innovations that had developed out of these entities.  ​

Modern weaponry and service in the professional military (and particularly experiences of combat) may have developed variants and styles of fighting all over the UK. Brutal hand to hand fighting to the death on the battlefield may have ended in unarmed combat when weapons broke, bayonets snapped and ammunition ran-out. Fighting in fairgrounds and outside public house is, of course, a British institution and I have met a number of Romany people in the UK who have been brought-up fighting ‘bare-knuckle’ in what they call the ‘Gypsy Style’! Generally speaking, these Romany people have treated both my Asian and Western martial history with a great respect. As Romany people have had to fight to defend their very existence throughout the years – obviously as a people they have developed a very healthy respect for the fighting arts!  ​

It is a peculiar reality that a number of Westerners practice Chinese martial arts to make money – whilst denigrating a) the Chinese people b) Chinese culture and c) the ‘right’ (both ‘moral’ and ‘legal’) of the Chinese people to decide to their own destiny and political system! As someone of Anglo-Chinese extraction (and who lives within the UK Chinese community), I have even witnessed Westerners travel to Mainland China to study at university or at a Gongfu College – only to return to the West with Certificates and Teaching Qualifications after having experienced a fully enjoyable and productive visit – only to continue to hold and express anti-China racist views when in the presence of their fellow Westerners! This also occurs after these individuals have experienced generous reductions in their flight and accommodation costs, reductions in their education fees and benefitting from ‘free’ student travel whilst living in China! Who pays for all this? Certainly not the Western countries from where these people originate – but rather the average Chinese–taxpayer through their hard-earned pay-cheques!  ​

Through the agency of US anti-intellectualism, many lies are told about China in the West and this is why the average Westerner remains both ‘ignorant’ and ‘racist’. China is a ‘Socialist’ country – which means its form of democracy is much more inclusive, regular and empowering to the average Chinese citizen than its Western counter-part. The Chinese people are working hard to build a Socialist society. Throughout the 20th century, the Chinese people fought against the tyranny of Chinese feudalism, Japanese and Western imperialism – and they did this successfully through the auspices of the Communist Party of China CPC)! Chinese people were killed in their millions by the Chinese Imperial (Qing) Government (from 1644 until its overthrow in 1911), by the corrupt Western-backed ‘Nationalist Government’ (192-1949), the Western imperialists (for hundreds of years until 1949) and the Japanese Imperial Kwantung Army (destroyed by the Soviet Red Army in 1945). It is the CPC that has built a strong China out of these ruins and saved the Chinese people from further pain and suffering at the hands of others!  ​

Through the Chinese ‘Socialist’ education system, it is the CPC which teaches that ALL foreigners should be treated with respect and financially assisted whilst visiting China! It is interesting, therefore, that on a website I help to administer regarding the practice of Chinese Ch’an Buddhism (which is flourishing within ‘Communist’ China) I receive the following communication affixed to the bottom of a blog post I made (this response has no relevance to the topic): 

By: Howard Johnson ([email protected]) Commented On: Seated Transforma... Date Commented: 07/03/20 03:26PM  

Howard Johnson said:  

Some good information in this blog but why the promotion of communism ? You do realise that this murderous ideology is responsible at least 100 million deaths.  

Commenter IP: 46.69.52.108 

Interestingly, a reader can tell the far-right political affiliation of a Westerner who nevertheless presents himself as an authority upon ‘Xingyi’ and ‘Tongbei’ whilst expressing disinformed rhetoric that only appears upon right-wing websites and within fascistic literature! By way of contrast to this the above nonsense – as no one in Russia or China believe that any ‘mass’ killings occurred that were perpetuated by the CPC – a recent academic report in the US states that since 1945 to now (excluding WWII), the US military has killed or murdered between 20-30 million people around the world in defence of its own capitalist system!  ​

Many of these murders were perpetuated within Asia and involved US capitalist soldiers killing Asians within Communist countries. Furthermore, during the US (capitalist) invasion of the USSR (1918-1921) - the US, UK, Germany and their (capitalist) allies killed hundreds of thousands (perhaps millions) of Russians who were fighting for Socialism! Eventually, the US military was defeated by the Soviet Red Army and was forced to retreat. Another academic report states that when European (capitalists) settled the America – by around 1610 some 60 million indigenous Indians had been cleared from their ancestral lands and murdered! If we add the killings associated with WWI and WWII we do, indeed, approach the figure of ‘100 million’ documented deaths – but all committed by representatives of the capitalist system – and often aimed at ‘Communists’ whilst NOT being committed by Communists! If United Nations (UN) records are checked - the average reader will discover the true extent of far-right, racist lying as contained in Howard Johnson’s supposed ‘factual comment – as absolutely NO official or reliable records exist that ‘prove’ that any massacres ever happened in any Communist country! This is the triumph of ‘fact’ over US ‘anti-intellectualism’! ​

References: 
US Military Murdered 20-30 Million Since 1945 
https://www.voltairenet.org/article204021.html 
European Colonisation of the Americas Killed 60 Million 
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277379118307261 
WWI Deaths – 21 million (23 million Wounded) 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I_casualties 
WWII Deaths – 75 million Deaths 
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-worldhistory2/chapter/casualties-of-world-war-ii/ 
Russian Civil War Deaths – 10 million Deaths 
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/highest-death-toll-from-a-civil-war ​

Chinese prisoners who killed foreigners in the late Qing Dynasty - were forced to the execution-ground after a simple interrogation (with no legal defence). Four suspects in the ‘Gutian Religious Case’ include Du Zhuyi (杜朱衣), Zheng Huai (郑淮), Liu Xiangxing (刘祥兴) and Zhang Ch (张赤). In the early morning of August 1st, 1895, more than one-hundred members of the "Piety Association" (斋会 - Zhai Hui) situatin in Gutian County, Fujian Province - attacked Mount Hua - where British and American missionaries lived, resulting in the deaths of eleven British missionaries and other female Christian assistants. Many other people were injured. This incident became known as the "Gutian Religious Case" in the history books. This is one of the two largest religious-orientated single cases that happened during the late Qing Dynasty – with the other being the "Tianjin Religious Case" which happened in 1870. Western missionaries aggressively penetrated and took-over large parts of China and used brutality to force Chinese people to ‘convert’ to a religious they neither wanted nor understood. Every so often, this foreign aggression and brutality was met with ‘resistance’ primarily from the embittered peasant community – which generally paid dearly for its loyalty and bravery. ​

The suspects in the "Gutian Religious Case" were arrested by the Qing government. This group of photographs was found in a recently discovered album left by the Englishman John Charles Oswald (1856-1900), which recorded key scenes relating to the trial of the suspects. Oswald once ran a tea and horse racing business in Fuzhou, and it is not certain that these photographs were taken by him personally. After the "Zhaihui" congregation killed people, they robbed the missionary's residence and set fire to it. ​

The scene after the looting of the British and American missionaries' residence was very bloody. In the late Qing Dynasty, missionaries went deep into China to preach, and there were often conflicts between the church and the local people. The involvement of missionaries in the opium trade, forced land leases, and illegal act of shielding the faithful aroused the anger of the local people. The Gutian "Zhaihui" and the church have had long-standing grievances, with both encroaching upon the other’s territory. The church employed all kinds of illegal methods but continuously got away with their crimes – which included rape of Chinese women and girls. If the Chinese Authorities dared to act against this foreign criminality, then the foreign governments would often send in their armed forces and make matters far worse. When the ‘Piety Associations’ fought-back – they were invariably ‘blamed’ when caught and issued with the severest of punishments demanded by the church missionaries – who enjoyed watching the spectacle of scared men kneeling to be ‘beheaded’! ​

After the incident, foreigners in China reacted strongly. The British and American envoys in Beijing protested to the Qing Court and sent warships to intimidate along the coast of Fujian. The "New York Tribune" of the United States even clamoured to put China "under the gun" and subject it to "the most severe sanctions." ​

Du Zhuyi - one of the main criminals in the case - was kept in a cage. In his early years, he repeatedly failed the exams, and then he despaired of his career and joined the "Zhaihui". Because he couldn't understand the arbitrary behaviour of foreigners, he rebelled against their corruption. The "Zhaihui" is mostly comprised of the poor people at the bottom of society, and a small number of frustrated intellectuals and small businessmen. ​

The British who died were buried in Fuzhou. On August 5th, Emperor Guangxu decreed, "The case is serious. The generals (Bian Baoquan, Governor of Fujian and Zhejiang Province, General Qingyu of Fuzhou) should send troops to severely deal with the perpetrators and be punished in accordance with the law; The church residence was properly protected by the stern magistrates, and there was no need to do anything else," which shows the attitude of the pro-Western Qing Court. ​

Chinese, British, and American personnel involved in the investigation and trial of the case. On August 13th, an investigation team composed of British and American diplomats, military officers, and missionaries went to Gutian to investigate the incident and participate in the Qing government’s trial of the arrested suspects. Under their pressure, the Qing government offered high rewards and arrested hundreds of people. Among them, a large number of innocent people were implicated for being allegedly reported by others. ​

The scene before the execution. In order to quell the adverse effects caused by the case as soon as possible, the Qing government adopted a method of rapid arrest and rapid trial. The procedure was very simple, and the participants in the confirmed cases were immediately sentenced. By October 18th, the trial was completed in just over two months, and 92 people were finally determined to be guilty, of which 26 were sentenced to death, 17 were enlisted in the military, 5 were imprisoned for life, 27 were imprisoned for 10 years, and 5 were imprisoned for 5 years. 5 people to hold the stone pier for 3 years, 5 people hold the stone pier for 6 months, and 2 people hold the stone pier for 2 months. 

The executioners who carried-out the death penalties. During the trial of the case, the British and American authorities did not claim compensation, but only demanded that the perpetrators be punished. This is a rare case in modern history that caused heavy losses without financial compensation. Reference materials: Liu Guoping, "Research on Gutian Religious Cases in 1895", Yang Guanghui, "Public Opinion and Modern Religious Cases". 

Original Chinese Language Source Article: 
​古田教案
https://m.sohu.com/a/212640342_99937407