武術
Wushu
A slide show for the benefit of
ASH4402-13Spring 0W61
Shaolin Temple Grand Masters
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Chinese Martial Arts
The Chinese culture of martial arts is the oldest in the world.
Popular culture has had a huge impact on how the Chinese culture
of martial arts is seen by the world. Whether for entertainment or
as a combat art, the practice of martial arts continues unabated in
China. Chinese martial arts have fallen behind those of Japan,
Korea, and Thailand on the world stage. Chinese martial arts look
to find their way in the new millennium.
Painting in the Shaolin Temple
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Origins
Chinese martial arts trace back to the earliest written history of
China. Chinese martial arts were used on a large scale by soldiers
in the Warring States period. Boxing was considered the staple
element of training. Martial arts was the primary form of military
training all the way through the Qing dynasty. The Chinese martial
arts have always been shrouded in mysticism. The Chinese martial
arts have not often caught the eye of scholars doing research.
Tai Chi Chuan on the Bund in Shanghai,
China.
Photography by Jgremillot, December 2005.
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Origins
Research on martial arts is often difficult due the dearth of articles.
It may be that the myth that surrounds them acts as a deterrent. It
also could be that the myth allows people to become dismissive
and lack interest in martial arts. It could also be much of martial
arts is a less than ideal combat technique from a modern military
perspective. There is no question that this perception holds true
for Chinese martial arts.
戚繼光
Qi Jiguang
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The General
Qi Jiguang was a general who wrote a book on martial arts. He
was known for fighting against pirates. He suggests that even at
this time martial arts had become a from of entertainment, a
pastime of sorts. He emphasized counter attack as a technique.
He created a routine of boxing that had 32 forms.
Qi Jiguang Statue in Fuzhou
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In some countries this may not be legally possible; if so:
I grant anyone the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law.
Mysticism
The Shaolin Monastery is no doubt steeped in mysticism and it is a
good example of the prominence of myth surrounding Chinese
martial arts culture. The first myth is that the monks themselves
created Chinese martial arts. Although some might want to
preserve this romantic notion, the evidence does not support it.
Chinese martial arts are a product of Chinese culture at large.
Mysticism
Chinese martial arts were practiced before the construction of the
Shaolin Temple and also before Buddhism came to China. The
monks practice of martial arts was very practical. Monasteries in
China as in Europe were centers of wealth and as such prone to
raided by thieves. The monastery fell in the Yuan dynasty, but it
was later restored. Chinese martial arts continued in the presence
of the monastery and without it.
Special thanks to Stanley E. Henning
Without whose work this would not have been possible
http://seinenkai.com/articles/henning/index.html
Sources
Slide 4: Chinese Martial Arts Confront the 21st Century by Stanley
E. Henning
Slide 6 and 8: Academia Encounters the Chinese Martial Arts by
Stanley E. Henning
Slide 10: General Qi Jiguang's Approach to Martial Arts Training by
Stanley E. Henning
Slide 12 and 13: Martial Arts Myths of Shaolin Monastery Part I: The
Giant with the Flaming Staff By Stanley E. Henning