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Martial Arts Books and Resources Chinese martial arts, in the West called gung-fu or kung-fu, and in Mainland China called Wushu (the same Chinese characters for bujutsu), are a wealth of varied and unique systems and styles. Broadly speaking, Chinese martial arts could be divided (by some) into what are considered "internal" and "external" systems. The internal systems emphasize the development of chi (Japanese: the "ki" in aikido) and inner, spiritual strength to enhance techniques. The external systems emphasize speed and physical prowess, and then later develop chi as an outgrowth of proper physical form and intent. However, many systems are not exclusive in their curriculum. Internal arts, like tai chi ch'uan, do have many exercises to strengthen the body and muscles, and external arts such as Sillum Pai gung fu have exercises for developing the chi. Perhaps it is primarily a matter of emphasis. In addition, the writer and martial artist Donn F. Draeger once conjectured that the terms internal and external may have also meant "native" and "nonnative" influenced arts. In other words, internal arts were martial arts that were developed primarily from what was considered Chinese source roots such as Taoism, and Taoism stresses the use of exercises for longevity and strengthening of the chi. The external arts were based on Buddhist influences, and Buddhism was an import from India, an "outside" country. Who knows? I do not claim to be an expert on Chinese martial arts; my studies have been primarily in the Japanese arts, but I do enjoy a good read, and there are always good books on classical Chinese systems that are worth a look for comparative studies. Furyu the Budo Journal and all material on this site are copyright © 2001 by Tengu Press and Wayne Muromoto. All US and international copyright laws hold. Anyone interested in using any material of the site must contact Wayne Muromoto at wmuromoto@hotmail.com or at Tengu Press Hawaii, PO Box 61637, Honolulu, Hawaii 96839 USA. |
Chinese Boxing, Masters and Methods
by Robert
W. Smith. Kodansha Intl. Ltd., Tokyo, New York and San Francisco. 142 pages
paperback, c. 1980. ISBN# 0-87011-434-4. $7.95.
Back, lo over 20 years ago, martial arts books were still being published left and right, but you'd have been hard pressed to find anything of real substance among the dross and dregs. It was then that I encountered books by Donn F. Draeger, Dave Lowry, and Robert W. Smith. Smith especially, had a unique, individual style of writing, erudite, droll, humorous and still full of rich tall tales and tough guy metaphors like a short story from a "True Detective" magazine. He brings his wonderful style to this book, which was my first introduction to the world of Chinese martial arts. Smith discusses several outstanding teachers and Chinese fighters he encountered in his years of travel throughout Asia, with photographs and a lot of amusing and often insightful anecdotes. He is not above adding his own opinion about such teachers, and they are always to the point and common-sense. Many of the boxers Smith writes about have probably passed on, and more's the pity. Even the thugs among them were such curious and eccentric characters.
Hsing-I
Chinese Internal Boxing
Pa-Kua, Eight Trigram Boxing
by Robert W. Smith and Allen Pittman. Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc. 1-2-6
Suido, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112, Japan. 104 pages each, paperback. Hsing-I ISBN#
0-8048-1617-4. Pa-Kua ISBN# 0-8048-1618-2. Both books are $9.95.
The venerable Robert W. Smith, author of many books on Chinese martial arts, columnist and general all-around curious fellow, and one of his students, have compiled a series of books on various Chinese martial arts. Hsing-I is considered a powerful, direct boxing style. Pa-Kua is noted for its circular walking and deflection methods. Both are covered similarly; there is a brief introduction to the history and techniques of the respective styles, then a series of pictures depicting a form. Although they cannot be used as a textbook for a novice to learn from, it would augment a student of these arts, or someone curious about the look and feel of these two very respected styles. Photographs are clean and crisp, and the explanations of the movements are clear and concise. All you would need besides the book is a capable teacher to initiate you into the real meaning and practice of Hsing-I and Pa-Kua.
Taiji
Chin Na
by Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming. Yang's Martial Arts Association (YMAA), 1995. 266 pages,
Paperback. ISBN 0-940871-37-8. $24.95.
This is primarly a technical book on the art of grappling, as derived from the taiji chuan style of boxing. Dr Yang demonstrates a lot (and I mean a LOT) of grabbing, twisting, and throwing techniques personally, with copious photographs and explanations and attempts to explain the theory and concepts of grappling from within a taiji framework. For many taiji students, this is a wonderful insight into an aspect of their art that they may not have dreamed of. For non-taiji practitioners, this is still a good technical book to draw comparisons. In particular, koryu jujutsu, Daito-ryu and aikido students may find something of worth in Dr. Yang's methodology.
(Wu Style)
Taichichuan Tuishou (Push-Hands)
by Ma Yueh-Liang and Zee Wen. Shanghai Book Co., Ltd. Block 'A' 5th Fl. 179-180
Connaught Rd. W., Hong Kong. 86 pages paperback, ISBN 962-239-100-1.
I got my copy from my taichi teacher, and have no idea whether or not this book is currently being distributed in the States. For any taichi student, however, this is a great book if they can get their hands on it. Ma Yueh-Liang was a legendaray figure in Wu style tai chi, especially noted for his push-hands technique. In this book, he explains the basic concepts of taichi and pushing hands, and then demonstrates several different push hands exercises with photographs and explanations.