True martial arts have left China...

[T'ang Yin]

When the Chinese government standardized martial arts in the 1950s (along with everything else), they simplified both internal and external styles, producing "official" versions, collectively known as wushu. Not wanting to encourage fighting arts amongst the population, the government also toned down their martial applications, producing styles that are best seen as competitive sports, or as a way of keeping healthy. In the process, much philosophical significance has been lost – certainly, there's little to be seen today amongst the swarms of sightseers and would-be film stars who have turned Shaolin temple into a commercial circus. Nonetheless, serious students of all martial arts who train in the traditional forms – and there are many traditional practitioners both in China and abroad – are still able to touch on their true spiritual nature.

Source: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-733956-china_the_martial_arts_of_china-i (final paragraph)

I once heard a saying that all the great masters left China.  The Chinese government seems very intent on controlling it's populace by denying its people of its true martial arts legacy.  Shaolin is the most regarded martial arts in China, but the statement that Shaolin "has become a commercial circus" rings loudly to the fact that the roots of martial arts are gone from China.  I onced believed that traveling to China to study martial arts would be a privilege, but not anymore.  It doesn't matter anyways since a part of China has come to those few who are lucky enough to study Won Hop Loong Chuan here in the good ole USA.  

[Rick Bauer]

Hi Everyone,

My apologies for being of-line for so long.  The events out in this corner of the world have kept me pretty busy since last summer.

In reference to T'ang Yin's post back in July, I would add a couple of other factors to the hemmorage of Master-level talent in China.

Without question, the state-sponsored restructoring of the Chinese Arts into its modern form has really altered it and de-constructed many of its aspects.  In addition, some other factors worth mentioning...

The Chinese Cultural Revolution in the 60's and 70's brought terrible consequences for the traditional Chinese Martial Arts, as Mao attempted to suppress any aspect of Chinese Society which could raise a threat to his political leadership.  Priceless historical records were destroyed, and monks purged and persecuted.

The consequences of WW II in Asia had a terrible effect too.  Over ten million people were killed in Southern China.  Prominent Martial Artist were hunted down, and training centers were destroyed to prevent sources of rebellion.  It was during the 30's and 40's that a large number of martial arts Masters were driven from China, or killed in the fighting.  

Prior to WW II, the events of the Extra-Territoriality Treaties, which carved up spheres of China for Colonialism, also played havock with the Chinese Arts.  The Boxer Rebellion (1899-1900) brought on the single most devastating event in the destruction of martial talent, with the wholesale destruction of tens of thousands of martial artists, which utterly destroyed or brought to the verge of extinction some of the most talented and venerated Martial Organizations in China, including Shaolin.

Just my humble opinion,

All the best from the Middle East,

Rick
 

[taijimaster]

Sorry for the long posting - There is a lot to say on this topic.  


In American there is over bearing problem with individuals and the proper terminology of the Chinese Martial Arts System.  

Most know of the Chinese martial arts system as Kung Fu.  The actual term for Chinese martial is what is called Wushu, which mean war art or war tactic.  The term Kung Fu is referred to as hard work or discipline.  So if you can cook or shine shoes well, you are practicing Kungfu.  

Now in the 1950's (actual official documentation states 1949), the Chinese Government wanted an official system of promoting Wushu for the country.  The first being with Taijiquan in the 24 posture.  This was created to give everyone young and old had an opportunity to practice Taiji.  It was not until the end of Cultural Revolution that the government in 1976 wanted to promote Chinese Martial Arts under the umbrella of what is called Modern or Contemporary Wushu to the rest of the world.  Do not confused Modern Wushu with the tradition term of Chinese Martial Arts which is Wushu (war tactic or war).  

Now if people would research what Modern Wushu consist of, you will find that is has been developed and adapted off several traditional Chinese Martial Arts systems include Pao Quan, Cha Quan, Hua Quan, Baiji Quan, Shaolin Quan, and Taijiquan.  Masters such as Wang Ziping and Professor Wang JuRong who were traditional Wushu masters helped to develop this new promotional art based off the traditional systems.  So modern Wushu is in part a tradition system comprised of several Northern Traditional Wushu Systems.  

Many do not understand this concept and make blanket statements about Wushu and have never studies Wushu.  

Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Wushu has become a component of the socialist culture and the people’s physical education and sports, and has developed spectacularly. In the early 1950s many noted traditional martial arts experts like Zhang Wen-Guang, Wang Zi-Ping, Sha Guo-Zeng and Chai Long-Yun revised traditional Chinese martial arts to develop Contemporary Wushu.

The basis of Contemporary Wushu was Northern Shaolin, Cha Quan, Hua Quan, Hong Quan and many others. Under Chairman Mao’s direction the new sport did not emphasize combat, but health, exercise, and athletic development. However, it was important to be able to demonstrate the intent and spirit of fighting.  That is why Modern Wushu is taught in the Chinese School systems to children and to adults.  The idea is that Wushu should look good and it should and does if done correctly.  And that goes for both tradition and contemporary.  

People forget that Modern Wushu is a martial art that the Chinese Government used to show and promote their national treasure.  They have succeed in there efforts, but with one side effect - people are starting to become confused as to what Wushu/Modern Wushu is.  

There are over 400 systems of Chinese Martial Arts including internal and external systems from the progenitor - Shaolin, Ermei, and Wudang. No one can say which is the best - it’s an opinion and each style is tailored to the individual.  It is not the system that makes the system; it is the person who learns from the system that makes the system.  

Modern Wushu is a combination of both tradition and modern, giving the viewer a taste of pure Chinese martial arts and to spark that interest.  

As a practitioner of Modern Wushu for the past five years and of Taijiquan for the past ten years under a renowned teacher who helped developed Modern Wushu, I can speak of the training regime, which requires on to become fit, limber, flexible in back, strong legs for low stable stances, jumping ability, leg strength and power as well as a active waist, because the power is generated from the dantien through the body. The basic kicks and movements along before you work on any form will take 1 hour and a half.  That is some serious training and the training is based off the old Shaolin regime.  

So lets keep an open mind and dedicate ourselves to the advanced of Chinese martial arts both within ourself and to the public who do not have the opportunity to do as such.  

For more information on the History and Development of Modern Wushu, please see the following link:

http://www.monashwushu.com/~nuke/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=16

Respectfully,

Taijimaster

[highlander]

Oh my, I confess, I have to agree - "true martial arts have left China".  Real Chinese martial arts in China died with the cultural revolution.  (Those of us old enough still remember.)After Chairman Mao ascended the "throne" he made bloody certain that the true masters were either killed or left the country or else faced prosecution.  It was not until the 1950's when the same Chairman Mao discovered that $$$money could be made from taking advantage of Chinese heritage and "selling" it to unknowing foreigners.  Due to the fact that he had already destroyed much of what was left in China after his cultural revolution, he had those that were left "reconstruct" tai chi forms and "wushu".  Now, "Wushu" is the correct translation for martial arts, however, I strongly disagree that wushu IS martial arts.  As you state, it is a combination of many different arts which are pieced together into "wushu".  In my humble Scottish opinion, Wushu is extremely showy and non-functional in combat.  Natch, it looks great on a square in front of judges, but non-functional on the street.  The tai chi taught in China is a miss-mesh of 5 family groups put together in a "non-harmonious fashion" with no meaning what so ever and little flow.  Sure it was made to combine the 5 family forms, but perhaps they were NOT meant to be combined? Where are the applications?  They are not there... As for the over bearing attitudes of the New World (the Americas), perhaps it is because they have learned better. Maybe others would understand better if they expanded their own concepts and their world.  Get out and experience it all just a little bit.   Sorry for the blather, ta ta for today, .... Highlander  

[Anthony Clark]

Good day to all,

I enjoyed reading your post Taijimaster.  And I enjoyed the web link.

Although I agree with much of what has been written regarding the hemmorage of martial arts knowledge and master level talent in China, as described by all the previous posts, especially by Rick Bauer's, I disagree that "True Martial Arts Have Left China."  Many Martial Artists left China during the various periods mentioned, especially the cultural revolution (which benefited the rest of the world in my opinion), but as Taijimaster posted there are hundreds of styles (family and systems) in China and many remained where they were.  

I don't have a great deal of experience with practicing Wushu.  I've seen it in tournaments, but that means very little.  You cannot tell a system by how one or a dozen students perform in a very, very short period of time.  Although I'm certain there a few worthless arts out there, almost any art has something worthwhile to offer.   Some are worth a lot more than others.

I agree with Taijimaster's statement that regarding styles of martial arts, its a matter of opinion.  After a while of practicing, students will tailor the arts to themselves.   It takes on the personna of the practitioner while enfusing the art into the student.

But back to the original subject, although many teachers left China or were slaughtered during the various purges, many arts and family styles remained.   They just remained very quiet and selective in their teaching.

Gotta run.  I'm in a warzone.

Have a great day.
Anthony Clark

[Shane]

Here is an interesting article that on Fox News today:

"Chinese Police Bust Fake Shaolin Temple Kung Fu Masters"                         
 
link:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,292854,00.html


Shane

[scotth]

Couple of really confusing things in the article. 

1. the "fakes" were from 17-19 years old and charged up to $90k dollars (US) to help get them out of the country.  Where did they get that, and if they had a way to get it in China, why leave?

2. how do you tell the "fakes" from the "masters" ?

-scott

[jvaran]

Couple of really confusing things in the article. 

1. the "fakes" were from 17-19 years old and charged up to $90k dollars (US) to help get them out of the country.  Where did they get that, and if they had a way to get it in China, why leave?

2. how do you tell the "fakes" from the "masters" ?

-scott

I don't know if this applies to these individuals specifically, but many smugglers expect payment by having you "work it off" once you arrive in the other country. So they may not have actually come up with $90,000 ahead of time. As far as "fake", I think they just mean "not officially affiliated with the Shaolin temple".

[T'ang Yin]

"In recent years, it has set up a corporation, Henan Shaolin Temple Industrial Development Ltd., and trademarked the names "Shaolin" and "Shaolin Temple."

To me this is the most interesting part of the article.  I guess it's true that the ways of Mao are now parting for the ways of the West.