Chinese Martial Arts

Did Buddhist monks and Daoist priests really practice martial arts? Is the practice of Chinese martial arts religious? What are the White Lotus Sect and the Heaven and Earth Society? Did martial artists really think they could resist bullets using their internal power? What is the “internal school” of martial arts? These and many more questions are addressed and potentially answered by the new volume “Chinese Martial Arts, A Historical Outline”. This is the first work of its kind in the English language. Beginning with the earliest historical records regarding the practice of ...

Chronicles of Chinese Martial Arts by Tang Hao is a seminal work that meticulously traces the historical development, techniques, and evolution of Chinese martial arts. Translated by Chen Faxing, this book offers an in-depth exploration of the origins, cultural significance, and military applications of various martial disciplines, from traditional hand-to-hand combat to weapon-based techniques. Tang Hao, one of the most influential martial arts historians of the 20th century, employs a rigorous scholarly approach, combining field research, historical texts, and practical knowledge to ...

Wing Chun is the most popular form of Chinese kung fu in the world today, with more than four million practitioners. This guide will fascinate and educate anyone interested in the martial arts, from beginner to master. The art as it is presently understood has been handed down from teacher to student for more than 300 years. Until now, no one has ever stepped back and taken a critical look at why this art's techniques are presented and performed the way they are.

Everyone knows Jackie Chan. Whether it’s from Rush Hour, Shanghai Noon, The Karate Kid, or Kung Fu Panda, Jackie is admired by generations of moviegoers for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, and mind-bending stunts. In Never Grow Up, the global superstar reflects on his early life, including his childhood years at the China Drama Academy (in which he was enrolled at the age of six), his big breaks (and setbacks) in Hong Kong and Hollywood, his numerous brushes with death (both on and off film sets), and his life as a husband and father.

The comprehensive and accurate edition of the Hagakure is a must-have for serious martial artists or fans of samurai and the Bushido code.

The book explores the profound depths of Chinese martial arts, delving into the philosophies and practicalities of Taijiquan, Xingyiquan, and Baguaquan. It offers a comprehensive understanding of how these martial arts are not merely physical techniques but also paths to cultivating the Dao. The text reveals the internal mechanisms of martial arts, from the alignment of mind, body, and qi to the intricate skills of merging stillness with motion and achieving heightened states of awareness. Through detailed explanations and personal experiences, the author shares insights on how the practice...

Secrets of Shaolin Martial Arts: A Textual Study is a groundbreaking work that sheds light on the authentic origins and development of Shaolin martial traditions. Written by renowned martial arts historian Tang Hao and translated by Chen Faxing, this book presents a scholarly yet accessible examination of the techniques, principles, and historical foundations of Shaolin boxing. Dispelling long-held myths and legendary embellishments, Tang Hao draws on temple records, rare manuscripts, and field research to uncover the true nature of Shaolin’s combat systems. This textual study reveals the...

"Research on Shaolin Martial Arts and Taijiquan in Relation to Internal Martial Arts" offers an in-depth examination of the origins, development, and connections between Shaolin martial arts, Taijiquan, and internal martial arts practices. This comprehensive study delves into the historical roots of martial arts, with a focus on the techniques and philosophies that bridge the Shaolin external styles and the internal traditions of Taijiquan, Xingyiquan, and Baguazhang. Drawing from classical texts, historical accounts, and martial arts legends, this book explores key figures, lineages, and ...

Baguaquan and xingyiquan are two styles that complement each other as yin does yang. Bagua is known for its circular movements and its practice of “circle walking.” Xingyi embodies characteristic linear movements said to be derived from the logical strategies for using spear and staff. How fortunate we are to include writings in this anthology by leading authorities on these styles. Separated into three sections, the first features bagua. Allen Pittman presents five variations of the “single palm change”, followed by an overview of the Yin Fu bagua linage and an interview with He ...

Since ancient times, some observant people have made the revered Book of Change (Yijing) their lifelong study. Change is the fundamental principle found in every aspect of our lives. Change is the Way of the universe. Confucian and Daoist texts are filled with anecdotal and philosophic discourse related to this theme. There is little wonder why we find the concept of change in the diverse Chinese martial traditions. This anthology presents articles from the Journal of Asian Martial Arts that are related to the theme of change. This does not mean that the authors are writing solely about ...

In "Comprehensive Introduction to the Study of Chen Taijiquan," esteemed Taijiquan master Chen Zhaopi offers a deep and enlightening exploration of Chen Style Taijiquan. Translated from its original Chinese, this invaluable resource lays a strong foundation for those new to the discipline while providing fresh insights to seasoned practitioners. Chen Zhaopi expertly guides readers through the principles and techniques of this ancient martial art. He shares the underlying philosophies and history of Chen Style Taijiquan, providing a clear context to understand the form's development and ...

In the intricate world of martial arts where honor and vengeance intertwine, "Sword of the Azure Sky" by Gu Long unfolds a tale of passion, betrayal, and redemption. Set against the backdrop of ancient China, this gripping Wuxia novel takes readers on a journey through the tumultuous life of Xiong Ti, a skilled swordsman caught in the web of destiny and familial ties. The story begins with Xiong Ti's quest to avenge a deep-seated grudge, a journey that leads him through the perilous landscapes of the martial world. His path crosses with Xia Yun, a woman of ethereal beauty and mysterious ...

China can easily boast of its great martial traditions, which many would say is the richest in the world. There are a variety of styles from the north to the south that encompass an extensive repertoire of open-hand and weapon techniques. The ten chapters in this anthology illustrated this wide spectrum. Mark Wiley’s interview with Hou Faxiang presents a fundamental healing modality famous in China — qigong, the nourishing and practical use of internal energy. Its theory and practice is entwined in many martial art styles. In chapters two and three, Robert W. Smith, introduces us to two...

Training devices that imitate the height, weight and resistance of an opponent are a logical development for combat training in virtually all cultures. Different types of this kind of training equipment was use all over the world since the ancient times. While many cultures simply lost and forgot their martial arts and training equipment that goes with them with arrival of modern firearms and modern ways of fighting China for the most part preserved many of its old martial styles and exotic training devices. Wooden dummies are especially popular among Southern Kung Fu styles. Over time a ...

The Shaolin Monastery charts for the first time in any language the history of the Shaolin Temple and the evolution of its world-renowned martial arts. In this meticulously researched and eminently readable study Meir Shahar considers the economic political and religious factors that led Shaolin monks to disregard the Buddhist prohibition against violence and instead create fighting techniques that by the 21st century have spread throughout the world.

This 50 page book provides an overview of Kung Fu, including some of the most important basics. A number of helpful tips and important points that are often neglected or unexplained in training are provided, as well as images.

"The Taijiquan of Gu Ru Zhang" is an enlightening exploration into the world of Tai Chi Chuan, as seen through the eyes of the legendary martial artist Gu Ru Zhang. Trained by esteemed masters such as Yán Jīwēn in Northern Shaolin, Li Jinglin in Yang Taijiquan and Bajiquan, and Sūn Lùtáng in Baguazhang and Xingyiquan, Gu Ru Zhang presents a holistic view of Taijiquan. The book serves as a comprehensive guide, covering everything from basic stances to advanced techniques, all enriched by Gu's expertise in Iron Palm and other martial qigong techniques. This translated work is not just a...

The book in front of you is one of very few ever written about White Crane Kung Fu and the only one about Shaking Crane (Zong He) style written in English. The book introduces basic concepts of internal White Crane practice. Internal power has always been shrouded in a veil of mystery, often explained through Chinese religious and esoteric practices, believes and terminology. This book separates myths from facts and explains what internal power is and how it is generated within the body. Content is strictly focused on body mechanics and doesn't go into the realm of esoteric practices or ...

Li Po's poems have been spread out thru the ages; even today they are highly praiseworthy. But only some know about his style of fencing called Li Po's Drunken Sword. In terms of his famous works, the reader will discover how the poet's swordplay and wine drinking under the moon affected his poetic legacy. These collected poems has been inspired by the works that the Tang-period poet Li Po (701-762 CE) left after him as a great cultural heritage, and of whom I will have more to say on the pages below. It was with him that this book began; without him, none of what follows after the short ...

When Rin aced the Keju - the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies - it was a shock to everyone: to the test officials, who couldn’t believe a war orphan from Rooster Province could pass without cheating; to Rin’s guardians, who believed they’d finally be able to marry her off and further their criminal enterprise; and to Rin herself, who realized she was finally free of the servitude and despair that had made up her daily existence. That she got into Sinegard - the most elite military school in Nikan - was even more surprising.