System of Shaolin Kung Fu
System of Shaolin Kung fu
Shaolin Kung Fu is one of the biggest Chinese Traditional Martial Arts with long history standing, completely system and high techniques. It can not be regarded as a Wushu style or school in common sense. The Shaolin Kung fu is an integration of Chinese Wushu with profound Chinese culture. It is divided into two main sorts: barehanded forms and weapons. From Ming Dynasty, Shaolin Kungfu had been formed fixed forms and techniques with diversify classification come through several hundred years. The weapons include long weaponry, short weaponry and soft weaponry. Classified by Techniques can be Quan Shu (barehanded boxing), Gun Shu (stick), Dao Shu (wide swords), Qiang Shu (spear), Jian Shu(swords), Skill Attacking and Qi Gong.
According to the record from shaolin Family Tree, there were 708 sets kungfu practised by ancient practisers on the history of shaolin, include 552 sets of barehanded boxing and weaponry. 72 special skills and 156 sets other kung fu such as Qin Na (Grasping), combating, Bone-joint-take-off, pressure-point and Qigong. It has 178 Barehanded Boxing, 198 set weapons and 59 sets spairing, others has 115 sets. 545 sets in total in existence nowadays.
Popular and typical Shaolin kungfu can be described as follows:
I- Barehanded Boxing:
Barehanded Boxing is a foundation of Shaolin Kung Fu with long history, as well as a cornerstone for practisers. They had been come into being on the basis of Chinese Ancients Martial Arts. Practical combating for barehanded Boxing was a leading content for ancient practisers on the early age. The earliest record of Shaolin Quan was “Quan Book” written by Abbot Xuanji in the end of Ming Dynasty. Shaolin Quan Shu is the most popular and important contents for Shaolin Kung fu. The most typical Quan Fa (movements) are:
Luo Han 18 Hands, Xiao Hong Quan, Shaolin Da Hong Quan, Luo Han Quan, Mei Hua Quan, Da Tongbi Quan, Xin Yi Quan (intention and mind), Shaolin Chaoyang Quan, Shaolin Pao Quan, Shaolin Fierce Tiger Quan, Shaolin Zui Quan (Drunk Quan), Shaolin Heihu Quan (Dark Tiger Quan), Shaolin Wuhu Quan (Five Tigers Quan), Shaolin Hou Quan (Monkey Quan), Shaolin Liu He Quan (Six Harmonious Quan), Shaolin Erba Liuhe Quan (Erba Six Harmonious Quan), Shalin Five Animals Quan.
II- Gun weaponry (Stick):
Shaolin Gun is the most famous weapon. It was the earliest weapon of Shalin Kung Fu. During Ming Dynasty, Shaolin Monks took part in several battles with stick weapon to fight with rebellion group. From then on, Shaolin stick started to become famous. The Shaolin stick movements was passed on form generation to generation with the strict firmly style. The book “Shaolin Stick Movements of Buddhism” was a famous sutra of Shaolin Stick. The most typical sticks movements as bellow:
Shaolin Feng & Huo Gun (wind & fire stick), Shaolin Yinshou Gun (Negative Hand Stick),
Shaolin Duan Gun (Short Stick), Shaolin Da Ye Cha Gun (Big Rough Stick), Shaolin Shao Huo Gun (Cook-firing Stick), Shaolin Yuan Hou Gun (Monkey Stick)
III- Dao (Wide swords)
The wide swords were popular weaponry for common people and soldier in ancient China. Along with the development of Shaolin Kung Fu and requirement of battle for Shaolin monks, several styles of Wide swords were created by Chinese Martial Arts people:
Shaolin Chan Tou Dao (Head-wrapping Dao), Shaolin Kunlun Shuang Dao (Pair Dao)
Shaolin Chun Qiu Da Dao (Spring & Autumn Big Dao)
IV-Jian (Swords):
Sword is one of 18 popular weapons for Shaolin Monks. It was quite difficult to practise Jian. The style of weaponry had its earliest record at Shaolin from Ming Dynasty.
Shaolin Qian Kun Jian (Heaven & Earth Jian), Shaolin Meihua Jian, Shaolin Jiugong Jian,
Shaolin Baxian Jian ( the eight Gods Jian), Shaolin Damo Jian
V- Other Weaponry:
Jiu Jie Bian (Nine section whip), Shaolin Cao Lian (Grass-cutting hook),
Shaolin Guang Bian (Steel Whip), Shaolin Qiankun Quan (Heaven & Earth Ring)
Shaolin Hutou Shuang Gou (Double Hook of head of tiger)
Shaolin Lang Ya Bang (A steel club with awl on the surface)
VI- Other Gong Fa (Kung Fu Skill)
Tong Zi Gong (Boy-practised kung fu), Qing Gong (Across Wall & House by Jumping)
YingGong (Hard Kung fu), Mei Hua Zhuang, Ying Qing Gong (Hard breath Gong), Yin Yang Gong (Positive & Negative Gong), Yi Jin Jing, Shaolin Yi Shou Gong (Health-building Gong), Shaolin Qinna 18 styles (Shaolin Grasping 18 styles).