What Was the Name of the Chinese Resistance Fighters Who Practiced Martial Arts?
Chinese martial arts are arguably some of People's republic of china'southward nearly popular and successful cultural exports. Despite their widespread and enduring popularity, most people's agreement of the Chinese martial arts is limited. Join the states as we explore the history and civilisation backside these ancient forms of self-defence force.
Tabular array of Contents
- What are the Chinese martial arts?
- Origins and history
- Classifying Chinese martial arts styles
- Internal versus external
- Northern versus Southern
- Other classification schemes
- Non to be dislocated with Japanese martial arts
- Five influential Chinese martial arts styles
- one. Shaolin Kung Fu
- ii. Wing Chun
- 3. Bajiquan
- 4. Tai Chi
- 5. Baguazhang
- A window into Chinese culture
- Chinese martial art vocabulary
What are the Chinese martial arts?
The Chinese martial arts are a collection of hundreds of different fighting styles that developed over centuries of Chinese history. Many of the Chinese martial arts incorporate philosophical concepts that are intimately continued with Chinese religion and philosophy, specially Taoism .
In Chinese, the terms 功夫 (gōngfū) and 武术 (wǔshù) are used to refer to the martial arts. The word 功夫 (gōngfū) is a general term that tin can be used to refer to any type of skill. It is the source of the English language term "kung fu."
武术 (wǔshù), rendered in English as wushu, is a more descriptive term that can literally exist translated as "military arts" or "martial arts."
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Origins and history
The martial arts have a long history in Mainland china. As the proper noun wushu suggests, the martial arts are thought to take developed as methods for manus-to-hand gainsay used past ancient Chinese soldiers.
According to legend, the martial arts were introduced in China by the Yellow Emperor during the Xia dynasty (2070 - 1600 BCE). The very showtime mention of Chinese martial arts occurs in the Jump and Autumn Annals , a court relate that dates all the way back to the 5th century BCE.
The starting time mention of Chinese martial arts tin be found in a chronicle from the 5th century BCE.
Classifying Chinese martial arts styles
Today, at that place are hundreds of different styles of Chinese martial arts. Various nomenclature schemes take been proposed to help categorize them.
Internal versus external
1 common way of classifying Chinese martial arts is by separating them into external styles (外家拳 wàijiāquán) and internal styles (内家拳 nèijiāquán).
External styles focus on developing agility and physical strength, while internal styles focus on manipulating qi (气 qì) and cultivating the mind and spirit. Many of the philosophical ideas espoused by Taoism are applied past practitioners of internal martial arts styles.
The virtually popular internal manner of Chinese martial art is Tai Chi, also chosen Taiji (太极拳 Tàijíquán) while the most famous style associated with the external style is Shaolin Kung Fu ( 少林功夫 Shàolín Gōngfū).
The internal versus external classification is a popular one that has been used since 1669 CE. It remains somewhat controversial, however, with some experts arguing that there is actually no difference betwixt the two due to the fact that every style includes some mix of "internal" and "external" elements.
The many different types of Chinese martial arts can be categorized into internal and external styles.
Northern versus Southern
Another mutual fashion to allocate Chinese martial arts styles is by geographical region. There are many notable differences between northern and southern China. Not only is this truthful when it comes to nutrient, the arts, architecture, and language, but information technology is too true of martial arts.
Martial arts from northern China are referred to as 北派 ( běipài ) and include well-known schools such as Baguazhang and Bajiquan. Northern styles are known for incorporating high kicks and acrobatic elements. Southern martial arts styles are called 南派 (nánpài) and place more emphasis on arm and full-torso movements.
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Other classification schemes
There are several other ways to classify the Chinese martial arts. Some of these classification categories overlap, so that a unmarried style may belong to more than than ane category. Other popular classification styles that are sometimes used are based on religion, history and family.
Not to be confused with Japanese martial arts
To an untrained heart, all martial arts may look the same, regardless of country of origin. In reality, countless differences—big and small—exist.
Jiu-jitsu, one of Nippon's virtually well known martial art, originated on the battlefields during the Nara period (c. 710–794) and utilized skills and tactics from a multifariousness of other Japanese disciplines.
Its applications were designed effectually close combat fighting and emphasized parrying and counterattacking long weapons like swords or spears using a dagger or other minor weapons.
Unlike Chinese kung fu, which emphasized strikes and kicks, jiu-jitsu uses counter attacks that lead to throws and joint locks.
Japanese jiu-jitsu, in its ain correct, is often confused with Brazilian jiu-jitsu. We caught up with Tony Debelak, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu Blackness Belt and possessor of Gracie Jiu Jitsu Aurora, to ask near the differences.
"Traditional Japanese jiu-jitsu," Tony explains, "made its way to Brazil, specifically Rio de Janeiro, in 1925. Carlos Gracie and his brothers learned from Esai Maeda, a Japanese jiu-jitsu fighter. Helio Gracie, the youngest of Carlos' brothers, was the smallest and weakest of the brothers plus he had a medical condition that prevented him from training right away. So, Helio spent nearly of his time watching the lessons taught to his older brothers."
Tony continues, "the story goes that in 1928 Carlos was belatedly to teach a grade so his brother Helio stepped upward. Just Helio had never expert traditional jiu-jitsu. He quickly realized he didn't have the strength to successfully execute the Japanese techniques so he plant ways to make the techniques work using leverage, timing, and natural body movements instead of forcefulness, speed, and coordination. That transformation became the foundation of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, which spread across Brazil later taking on the moniker of Brazilian jiu-jitsu."
Five influential Chinese martial arts styles
Although there are a multitude of dissimilar styles of Chinese martial arts, some are more than popular than others. Check out the list below to learn nearly five of the nigh common and influential styles.
1. Shaolin Kung Fu
Shaolin Kung Fu ( 少林功夫 Shàolín Gōngfū) is one of the most popular styles of Chinese martial arts. Considered an "external style," Shaolin Kung Fu was developed by monks at the Shaolin Temple in Henan Province.
The Shaolin Kung Fu manner is distinguished by quick, forceful movements and makes employ of weapons including spears and, well-nigh famously, staffs.
The Shaolin style has a history of over 1,500 years and is believed to have been started by Buddhist monks from central Asia. One of these monks, Bodhidharma , is also credited with having founded the Chan school of Buddhism, the precursor to modern Japanese Zen Buddhism.
Over the years, Shaolin Kung Fu gained semi-mythic condition in Mainland china as a issue of the exploits of Shaolin Temple's "soldier monks." The Shaolin monks supported the founding members of the Tang imperial family unit in their successful armed struggle for the throne. During the Ming dynasty, the government likewise enlisted Shaolin monks to fight off multinational gangs of pirates that plagued Communist china'south coastal areas with frequent raids.
Shaolin monks didn't always savor government support, all the same. During the Qing dynasty, their monastery was even defendant of anti-Qing activities and destroyed, only to be rebuilt subsequently.
Today, there are over 1,000 different sub-styles of Shaolin Kung Fu. Diverse schools of martial arts in other countries such every bit Nippon likewise merits their origins can be traced back to the Shaolin manner.
Shaolin Temple, in Henan Province, is the birthplace of the earth-renowned martial art known as Shaolin Kung Fu.
2. Wing Chun
Wing Chun (咏春 Yǒngchūn) is a southern Chinese kung fu manner descended from Shaolin Kung Fu. It has the distinction of having been founded by two women, Ng Mui and Yim Wing-chun.
The Wing Chun manner is known for placing emphasis on technique rather than forcefulness. This mode also calls for practitioners to stay relaxed while fighting, assuasive them to achieve a kind of "softness" or flexibility. This relaxed flexibility gives Wing Chun fighters a special kind of strength that allows them to bend, non pause, simply like bamboo .
Legend has it that Fly Chun founder Ng Mui was living at Shaolin Temple when it was attacked and destroyed by Qing dynasty forces. Surviving the attack, she escaped to the edge area between Yunnan and Sichuan. There, she met a young woman named Yim Wing-chun who was the daughter of a tofu merchant.
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Upon learning that Yim Wing-chun was soon to be forced into marriage with a local warlord, Ng Mui taught her a modified version of Shaolin Kung Fu to assistance Yim defend herself confronting his unwanted advances.
The fashion was later picked up by members of a Cantonese opera troupe called the Red Boat Opera Grouping, who helped lead a popular uprising against the Qing in the dynasty'southward waning years.
Ip Homo, featured in the eponymous hit moving picture, was a notable modern practitioner of Wing Chun style martial arts. He also taught the Wing Chun style to his student, Bruce Lee, who would proceed to act in the beloved Hong Kong kung fu movies that helped make Chinese martial arts famous around the world.
Wing Chun was the get-go martial arts style that Bruce Lee learned.
iii. Bajiquan
Bajiquan (八极拳 bājíquán) is some other pop Chinese martial art. Information technology emerged in the 18th century and was originally called Baziquan, or "rake fist," considering of its trademark use of swift downwards strikes using partially opened fists.
Its current full name is 开门八极拳 (kāimén bājíquán), which can be roughly translated every bit "open-door fist of the eight extremes." The "open-door" or "open up-gate" role of this name comes from the exercise of forcing one's opponents arms apart in order to strike their torso.
Bajiquan features rapid, explosive movements including elbow and fist strikes and is considered platonic for brusk-range combat.
Equally an iconic Chinese martial art, Bajiquan has influenced the pop civilization of both Prc and other countries. Information technology is oftentimes featured in Japanese video games, as well as in manga and anime. Bajiquan even makes an appearance in The Matrix and Mortal Kombat: Deadly Brotherhood .
Amanuensis Smith, played by actor Hugo Weaving, makes use of Bajiquan techniques in The Matrix.
4. Tai Chi
Tai Chi (太极拳 tàijíquán) is the most well-known of the "internal" Chinese martial arts styles. While it is most commonly expert today as a meditative, gentle grade of exercise, it also has its roots in the martial arts and was originally developed as a form of cocky-defense.
Tai Chi is sometimes referred to equally "shadow boxing." Although most people call up of Tai Chi as being made upwards of slow movements, there are several styles which include faster paced elements.
Like many other forms of Chinese martial arts, Tai Chi is intimately continued to traditional Chinese belief systems including Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.
Tai Chi'southward primal philosophy is related to the Taoist concept of yin (阴 yīn) and yang (阳 yáng). In traditional Taoist metaphysics, yin is said to be a dark, soft, female force while yang is a difficult, vivid, male force. Together, these 2 forces make upwards the universe, and it is important to seek a balance between them.
Tai Chi is rooted in ancient Taoist philosophy.
In Tai Chi, practitioners work to keep the yin and yang forces constantly in flux so that two forces of equal strength are never used confronting each other. The apply of a hard force against another hard forcefulness can merely consequence in deadlock. Thus, in Tai Chi, hardness should be met with softness, and vice versa.
The exact origins of Tai Chi are unclear, with some historians arguing that it originated with a 12th century Taoist monk, while others contending that its origins are much more recent.
Today, Tai Chi is known both within Communist china and effectually the world for its many scientifically proven health benefits. The renowned Mayo clinic even recommends Tai Chi as a great way to gently reduce stress and anxiety.
Modernistic students of Tai Chi, like these CLI students, can benefit from the many scientifically proven health benefits of this aboriginal martial art.
5. Baguazhang
Similar Tai Chi, Baguazhang (八卦掌 bāguàzhǎng) is considered an "internal style" martial art. Its philosophy draws heavily on Taoist concepts like yin and yang and it even takes its proper noun from the Taoist trigrams, or bagua .
Dong Haichuan is credited with founding this manner in the start half of the 19th century past synthesizing martial arts techniques that he learned from the Taoist and Buddhist practitioners that he met during his travels in rural China.
The nigh distinctive feature of the Baguazhang style is its use of circle walking. Practitioners move in a circular pattern while performing the various moves associated with this mode, which are quite diverse and include a mixture of strikes, throws, kicks and grappling moves.
Baguazhang is also known for its use of a diverse array of weapons including distinctive large broadswords. Interestingly, this style is said to be particularly effective when fighting against multiple opponents.
A window into Chinese civilization
Due to their connections with Chinese philosophy, religion and history, the Chinese martial arts provide a fascinating window into traditional Chinese culture.
One of the best means to sympathize China, Chinese civilization and the Chinese martial arts is to feel them for yourself. We invite yous to join us in Guilin to experience People's republic of china firsthand through full language and cultural immersion.
Studying the Chinese martial arts is a cracking way to gain a deeper understanding of Chinese civilization.
Chinese martial fine art vocabulary
| Hànzì | Pīnyīn | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 功夫 | gōngfū | kung fu; martial arts; skill |
| 武术 | wǔshù | wushu; martial arts |
| 外家拳 | wàijiāquán | external style (of Chinese martial arts) |
| 内家拳 | nèijiāquán | internal style (of Chinese martial arts) |
| 气 | qì | qi; vital energy |
| 北派 | běipài | northern school/manner (of Chinese martial arts) |
| 南派 | nánpài | southern school/style (of Chinese martial arts) |
| 少林功夫 | Shàolín Gōngfū | Shaolin Kung Fu |
| 咏春 | Yǒngchūn | Wing Chun |
| 八极拳 | Bājíquán | Bajiquan |
| 太极拳 | Tàijíquán | Tai Chi |
| 阴 | yīn | yin; a dark, female person force |
| 阳 | yáng | yang; a vivid, male force |
| 八卦掌 | Bāguàzhǎng | Baguazhang |
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Source: https://studycli.org/chinese-culture/chinese-martial-arts/#:~:text=Dong%20Haichuan%20is%20credited%20with,his%20travels%20in%20rural%20China.
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