World Of Swords

A student recently asked me why Karate became popular in Japan, when the Japanese had their own Martial Arts. The answer to this question is in an historical incident. And, the answer reveals something rather sordid about the human nature.

If you've ever seen a Chop Sockie Kung Fu flick, the story will invariably turn to the infamous western boxing match. Boxing matches of this type did occur a hundred years ago, though the results weren't always as the films would have you believe. Indeed, the whole concept of inter racial boxing matches merely takes advantage of the common mans need for myth and legend, and a way to bolster up a sagging belief in self.

That said, one of these infamous contests did happen in Japan around 1921. An Okinawan, Choki Motobu, was visiting Japan. He was of royal Okinawan descent, had been a ruffian in his youth, but had studied much Karate over the years.

Motobu was not too good at business, for accounts have it that he was out of work and out of money. A friend, possibly to garner him some bucks, convinced him to enter a Western Boxing contest which had been opened to all challengers. Motobu was fifty-two years old.

Accounts of the match vary. Some have Motobu evading the taller western boxer for several rounds, then pouncing in and knocking out the Russian strong man with one punch. Other accounts claim Motobu kicked his man in the groin, and when the fellow bent over in agony, struck him with a foul blow.

Whatever the truth, Motobu was the winner, and the crowd went wild. The press, anxious to report on this upset and vindication of race, searched frantically for an image to run with the story. They came up with an old file image of...Gichin Funakoshi.

Thus, the story of why Japan became enthralled with Karate may have more to do with illegal strikes, bad reporting, and a people in need of a superior racial identity, than with any superiority of art. That said, this writer makes no indictment of Karate, nor does he hold any martial art over another. That is not the point to be made in this article.

This is merely a lesson in history and folly, and a revelation concerning mans poor image of himself, and how that image can be exploited. When you hear somebody claim that one art is superior, one should consider the tale of Motobu Choki and why Japan chose Karate for their 'national art.' And that is the tale behind how Japanese Martial Arts were replaced by a One Punch Karate Mistake.

The One Punch One Kill concept is real. Mouse to Monster Martial Arts.

Every once in a while somebody will make the statement that 'Isn't Wing Chun Kung Fu that art invented by a woman?' Inside that statement is a prejudice against ladies who can be pretty darned skilled. The statement also shows some basic ignorance.

Many years ago, the story goes, a certain warlord during the Qing dynasty was forcing his affections on a young peasant girl. The girl ran into the forest sobbing, where she was found by a Shaolin nun named Ng Mui. The nun taught the girl enough Kung Fu to fight off the warlord, and thus the pretty, little thing was able to marry the man of her dreams.

The man of her dreams, a fellow named Leung Bac-Chou, also knew some Gung Fu. During a little marital spat he decided to teach his bride a lesson, and wound up being taught a lesson of his own. Fortunately, wifey decided to share her style with hubbie, and the style was named after the wife: Wing Chun (beautiful springtime).

While one could find many plot inconsistencies with this myth, the fact remains that it is one of the more workable systems of the Chinese Martial Arts. This is because the martial system is concept based, but backed up by good, hard work. In other words, students of Wing Chun don't just talk the talk, they walk the walk.

The system concentrates on short range techniques. The main drill of the style is Chi Sau, or 'Sticky Hands,' a method by which practitioners circle arms and learn to be sensitive to a foe. People practicing the Sticky Hands Method for any length of time become able to 'read the mind' of an opponent fairly easily.

The system also has the incredible wooden dummy training device. This is a thick stand of wood with arms and legs. The student learns how to bash, guide and manipulate an opponent by working with this wood dummy.

Close range combat is not the only feature of Ving Tsun, however. For middle range work one learns to wield the Butterfly swords. For long range work there is the long spear.

Wing Chun has proven itself over the centuries, and the most famous student was Bruce Lee. Currently, Wing Chun Kung Fu is being practiced around the globe, and is renowned for its combat effectiveness. Not too shabby for a 'Girls Martial Art.'

Learn more about Gung Fu, Ving Tsun through Hsing I, click on over to Monster Martial Arts.

I watch Kung Fu Movies, so a title like Five Incredibly Deadly Kung Fu Styles is right up my alley. When you speak of these arts, however, you aren't talking movies. You are talking about incredibly potent disciplines that are the most dangerous martial arts in the world.

These are specific body disciplines which steel the body and make sharp the mind. People who engage in these arts have gone beyond the flesh, and are describing a world towards which mankind hurries with appreciation. Let's consider the five deadly Kung Fu styles.

No particular order, let's start off with Shaolin Gung Fu. Inspired by Bodhidharma, it has become the single, most powerful influence in all the martial arts world. Talk Shaolin and you are talking about the absolute protection of the iron body through Golden Bell Training, and the steel fingers that eventually result in Dim Mak (death touch).

Many styles claim ancestry in the Shaolin Temple, and Wing Chun Gung Fu has a definite right to the claim. Sometimes called a 'girly art' because it was founded by a 'Lady Monk,' this art shows that being sensitive to an attack allows one to lay waste to an opponent. Learn the Sticky Hands (Chi Sau) drill and you can see what is coming long before an opponent offers the attack.

Another sensitive art, definitely not a girly art, is the Praying Mantis (Tang Lang Ch'uan). Again, the arms intertwine, but the attack and defense is delivered from a more Shaolin based stance. Shaolin Powerful with Wing Chun sensitivity, that is the secret of the Praying Mantis Style.

Stepping outside the Shaolin influence, one comes to Tai Chi Chuan (Taiji Quan), which is a Wudan based art. This art practices whole body sensitivity, and is considered by many to be the peak of martial arts expression in the world. By 'emptying' the body one enables the body to generate massive amounts of 'Chi Energy,' and this energy is far beyond simple muscle and sinew.

A more rare form of Wudan Mountain Art is the style known as Pa Kua Chang (Baguazhang). This is a circular art designed to undulate and slither, and leave an attacker in a state of confusion. As in Tai Chi, Chi Energy are generated, but by the unique training method called 'Walking the Circle.'

Five arts, each of which is totally deadly, has its lineage, and has been proven over the millennium. And, there are deviations and variations which are subtle and powerful in their own right. Indeed, to know even one of the Five Incredibly Deadly Kung Fu Styles is to change the way you think, and many people specialize in more than one, putting the arts together in a form of self expression far beyond the mere mortal.

Begin learning the Five Deadly Kung Fu Styles right now! Mouse over to Learn Shaolin Kung Fu!