Local Masters Demonstrate Unusual Folk Gongfu Styles at the National Wushu Sports Conference!
Translated By Adrian Chan-Wyles (PhD)
Wicker Shield and Spear - Typical of Hakka Fighting Arts!
Translator's Note: Those traditional Chinese martial arts that are not regulated as a "sport" within the National Wushu Governing Bodies are deemed "Folk" martial arts. That is, martial arts arising from the people and not the government. Indeed, the Hakka martial arts that we practice as a family comes under this designation. Modern Wushu began with the Nationalist Revolution of 1911 and involved a more modern approach to managing the martial arts as subjects that could be systematically taught in schools, colleges, and universities. This shift in emphasis allowed for a more user-friendly interface that permitted students to sign-on en masse outside of the usual traditional system which forbade mass recruitment to a school and actively discouraged training. This separated Chinese gongfu into two distinct streams - an exclusive and reclusive traditional branch - and an inclusive and extrovert modern branch. This led to false allegations in the West that the traditional martial arts no longer existed - on the grounds they were difficult to "see". Of course, within the Chinese military it was understood that modern Wushu (although popular amongst civilians for keeping-fit and self-development) was not effective on the battlefield - and so the traditional methods (usually "Longfist") were still employed. Outside of China, none of this was clearly understood or properly known. Today, "Folk" martial arts are valued as a National "Treasure" and their practice is now recognised and uplifted to an equal status with modern Wushu. However, Just as many Westerners have little (or no) interest in the works of Shakespeare - not all Chinese people practice martial arts. Some do - many do not. We have separated the following 66 photographs into their respective martial categories with the caveat that not all featured Styles are included in the translated list given. Our family Hakka Style is "Tong Bei Quan" - which is included - but there are many others. The weaponry featured was common-place amongst the Southern Coastal Hakka populations in and around the Hong Kong area. The "Tiger Fork" (or "Trident") is prevalent - this was used to fight off a type of "leopard" that once roamed the Central and Southern China hinterlands and which was once feared extinct. Recently, however, small groups of these "leopards" (often described as "Tigers" due to their ferocious natures) have been spotted with the species now protected by the government. Hakka people would weave rope and then wind long strands into conical shapes which were hardened to form "shields". Sometimes, when a very old turtle (usually kept as a pet and well over 80-years old) passed away - its upper shell was used to make a similar shield. Tang Shou Quan is said to be the basis of many Okinawan Karate-Do Styles - and is also the basis of a number of indigenous Korean martial arts. This is said to be the martial arts of the Tang Dynasty. ACW (7.9.2024)
Preliminary Editor: Liu Baocai (刘宝才)
Editor in Charge: Wang Xin (王欣)
Editor in Charge: Wang Xin (王欣)
On August 8th, 2014, (Beijing time), the 2014 First National Wushu Sports Conference was officially opened at the Tianjin University of Technology Gymnasium. A brief list of the day's special martial arts performances comprised of:
Wooden Paddle Self-Cultivation (木桨功 – Mui Jiang Gong)
Flat-Bench Self-Cultivation (板凳功 – Ban Deng Gong)
Tang-Hand Self-Cultivation (唐手拳 – Tang Shou Gong)
Pine-Tree Stream Fist (松溪拳 – Song Xi Quan)
Shaolin Fist – (少林拳 – Shao Lin Quan)
Pass-Through Back Fist – (通背拳 – Tong Bei Quan)
Chen Style Taijiquan – (陈氏太极拳 – Chen Shi Tai Ji Quan)
Tibetan Traditional Martial Arts – (藏族传统武技 – Zang Zu Chuan Tong Wu Ji)
There were many more unusual and spellbinding performances – each manifesting the unique characteristics of their lineage, geographical origination, and historical (developmental) experience. A cross-reference of this diverse and highly idiosyncratic body of cultural knowledge has been captured in the following series of “still” photographs – which can sometimes be more powerful than moving film – and a true feast for the eyes. These Masters are cultural treasures – they are hidden dragons and crouching tigers:
Wooden Paddle Self-Cultivation (木桨功 – Mui Jiang Gong)
Flat-Bench Self-Cultivation (板凳功 – Ban Deng Gong)
Tang-Hand Self-Cultivation (唐手拳 – Tang Shou Gong)
Pine-Tree Stream Fist (松溪拳 – Song Xi Quan)
Shaolin Fist – (少林拳 – Shao Lin Quan)
Pass-Through Back Fist – (通背拳 – Tong Bei Quan)
Chen Style Taijiquan – (陈氏太极拳 – Chen Shi Tai Ji Quan)
Tibetan Traditional Martial Arts – (藏族传统武技 – Zang Zu Chuan Tong Wu Ji)
There were many more unusual and spellbinding performances – each manifesting the unique characteristics of their lineage, geographical origination, and historical (developmental) experience. A cross-reference of this diverse and highly idiosyncratic body of cultural knowledge has been captured in the following series of “still” photographs – which can sometimes be more powerful than moving film – and a true feast for the eyes. These Masters are cultural treasures – they are hidden dragons and crouching tigers:
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Chinese Language Text:
不同寻常的功夫 民间高手武术大会展示特色拳种_热点聚焦_大众网 (dzwww.com)
不同寻常的功夫 民间高手武术大会展示特色拳种2014年08月09日 00:57来源：搜狐图片
我要评论
首届全国武术大会 兵器对打
北京时间8月8日，2014年第一届全国武术运动大会在天津市工业大学体育馆正式揭幕。在当天的武术特色拳种表演环节中，木桨功、板凳功、唐手拳、松溪拳、少林拳、通背拳、陈氏太极拳、甚至还囊括了带有浓郁地方色彩的藏族传统武技等“不同寻常”的特色武术，令人大饱眼福。让人不得不感叹，中华武术的博大精深、民间高人真正是藏龙卧虎。（搜狐体育 王涛/摄影）
初审编辑：刘宝才
责任编辑：王 欣
本文相关新闻网友评论[点击评论]
热点图片
不同寻常的功夫 民间高手武术大会展示特色拳种_热点聚焦_大众网 (dzwww.com)
不同寻常的功夫 民间高手武术大会展示特色拳种2014年08月09日 00:57来源：搜狐图片
我要评论
首届全国武术大会 兵器对打
北京时间8月8日，2014年第一届全国武术运动大会在天津市工业大学体育馆正式揭幕。在当天的武术特色拳种表演环节中，木桨功、板凳功、唐手拳、松溪拳、少林拳、通背拳、陈氏太极拳、甚至还囊括了带有浓郁地方色彩的藏族传统武技等“不同寻常”的特色武术，令人大饱眼福。让人不得不感叹，中华武术的博大精深、民间高人真正是藏龙卧虎。（搜狐体育 王涛/摄影）
初审编辑：刘宝才
责任编辑：王 欣
本文相关新闻网友评论[点击评论]
热点图片