chinese kung fu

wushu, chinese martial arts, known in the west as kungfu, is a cultural heritage of the chinese people which has been enriched through the ages. with its graceful movements and salubrious effects on health, it has a strong appeal to a vast multitude of people.

the origin of wushu may be traced back to prehistoric times when our ancestors used stones and wooden clubs in hunting, both for subsistence and self-defense. in tribal strifes they used their tools of production as weapons of war. during the shang(17th- 16th century b.c.) and zhou(11th century-221 b.c.) dynasties, with the development of productive forces, especially that of techniques in bronze casting, the variety of weapons increased and their quality improved.

in the jin(265-439 a.d.) and southern and northern(420-581 a.d.) dynasties, wushu came under the influence of buddhism and daoism. ge hong(284-364 a.d.) , a famous physician and taoist philosopher, intergrated wushu with qigong, and important branch of traditional chinese medicine. his theories of “ external and internal work” in wushu are still universally accepted today.

the court examination system initiated in the tang dynasty (618-907 a.d.) required both military men and scholars to practice wushu.

because of its long history incorporating differences in culture, ideology, region, and usage, wushu has developed into a great variety of schools and styles. there are over one hundred schools of boxing in the yellow river valley area and about eighty in the yangtzeriver basin. each school has its own characteristics. changquan demands quickness and valour, and it is liked by young people. taijiquan, characterized by its slow rhythm and gentel movements, is suitable for people of all ages, especially elderly people. xingyiquan, vigorous in its balanced motions and poised steps, is popular with young and middle-aged people. nanquan is widespread in china’s southern areas. its practitioners utter shouts and cries now and then to make their movements more forceful. shaolinquan, popular in the morth, is known for its short routined of movements and swiftness and vigor. in certain styles such as tanglangquan( the mantis boxing ) and zuiquan (the drunkard boxing), the practitioner imitates animals and birds as well as drunken humans.

in spite of its rich variety, wushu has four main types: barehanded boxing, the wielding of weapons, combat, and collective performances. the weapons used in wushu fall into three categories: long weapons including spears and broadswords; short weapons such as short swords, daggers and hooks; and flexible weapons which include nine-section cudgels and three-section cudgels.

however, wushu is by no means limited to the external movement. it emphasizes the full display of the internal temperament, mental attitude and potential of the human being. the practice of wushu not only strengthens the bones and muscles but also the internal organs and intelligence. to be more specific, wushu stresses that the mind directs the circulation of air flow (qi ) within the body and that the inner circulation of air generates the external strength, thus demonstrating the combination of external and internal forces. cultivating air flows inside the body in order to improve the base structures inside the body is an important purpose of wushu exercises.

chinese wushu is more than kungfu. it embodies a profound philosophy and a sense of human life and social values. it is the summation of the code of conduct for the adjustment of the relationships between man and man and between man and nature. wushu emphasizes traditions, experience and rational knowledge, all of which are clearly reflected in the martial ethics of wushu. martial ethics advocates respect for human life. in ancient china, human beings were regarded as the most valuable treasure of nature. man is called one of the “four greats,” together with the heaven, earth and truth, or law of nature activities. martial ethics requires that a person exercises self-restraint, never abusing his abilities to seek personal gratification or to oppress those weaker than himself. he should seek to uphold justice, remain fearless in the face of brutality, and cultivate modesty and a spirit of cooperation.

wushu is not only a way to enhance one’s health and skills. its long association with dance has lent an enriching artistic quality. at the same time, its emphasis on posture, composure, self-control, spirit, and lively exercise imbues it with a beautifying effect on the physic, and a positive effect on the character. these qualities turn wushu into wuyi-martial artisry.

wushu enjoys great popularity in china, and it is now captivating the attention of more and more people in the world because of its uniqueness and charisma originating from the traditional oriental culture.