Pirates of Tai Chi

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Scholar BoxerNorth Atlantic Press has put out a whole bunch of great martial arts books, many of which need a lot of editing. Among them is: Scholar Boxer, Chang Naizhou's Theory of Internal Martial Arts and the Evolution of Taijiquan with complete translation of the original writings (editied by Xu Zhen, 1932), by Marnix Wells. See, even the title needs editing! Yet, it is the best attempt at a history of Taijiquan's actual historic origins I have seen.

It's a tough challenge. The textual sources are really limited and he seems to have drawn on most of them. I, of course, would want to look into actual Daoist writings, but I'm not optimistic that relevant late Ming or early Ching Dynasty Daoist sources are going to surface anytime soon, if they exist. I would also look in theatrical sources. He does deal with Shaolin Buddhist origins, and that's great. Aye...maties, but here is the money quote:
"Qi Jiguang's boxing, the major source of Taijiquan techniques, and the internal School Boxing of Wang Zhennan are both traceable to maritime Zhejiang in the early sixteenth century. Its city of Ningbo had been the official port for Japanese missions. After their forced termination in 1549, its off-shore Zhoushan Island became a base for Japanese and local pirates. It was there that Qi Jiguang describes learning the practical art of boxing in Major Liu's thatched hall. Manuals by generals Qi Jiguang, and his mentor Yu Dayou, leaders against Japanese pirate attacks, provide us with the first detailed knowledge of Chinese (internal) fencing and boxing." [Page 7.]

depp_468x572Dude, you hear that! Taijiquan comes from fighting pirates on the sea! Johnny Depp look out! After Pirates of the Caribbean 3, we can make Tai Chi Pirates of Zhejiang!

I always felt like all those dantian circles had something to do with the sea. When you are fighting on boats for weeks at a time all your organs learn to move with the natural pulsation of your "sea-legs." I know my Chen style Taijiquan improved a lot after a month of working 20 hours a day standing in a modified horse stance on fishing boats in Alaska.

The Black Taoist

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BTThe Black Taoist is an internal martial artist (neijia) and teacher of exceptional skill. His website has a fresh rap about feeling the ethos of a martial arts life. Yes, I got it stuck in my head.

I first noticed him online about 8 years ago and got a kick out of his "taoist" style, but he has now put together a collection of video's on youtube that are really excellent. I was instantly inspired by his frank talk and his relaxed spontaneous narration and interview style. For me, he marks an major evolution in the development of martial arts teaching and dialog. Frankly, most martial arts videos are so boring they are unwatchable. Thanks to the Black Taoist everyone is going to have to "step up." (ie. I think he's 6'5")
I am also fascinated by the possibilities of exchanging marital arts videos. Dueling martial arts ideas expressed in a public forum people all over the world can watch. It's only going to get more interesting. All that being said, I did get a little heat going with my own video response to the Black Taoist, and now I've thrown in a few more, and more are on the way.  http://youtube.com/gongfuguy

Xingyi

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Liuhe ChickenI've studied both types to Xingyi quan (hsing i ch'uan), Wuxing (Five element) and Liuhe (six harmonies), but I've trained Liuhe a lot more. Both are powerful internal fighting arts. Both can be performed in a small space. Video

More, and More.

The histories I have read about this art really don't tell us much. Liuhe is thought to be the older style. I find it difficult to believe, but Liuhe was taught only to Muslims before 1949. Wow, there is some truth there but at some point they must have been teaching others because it's supposed to be the older style.

I do think liuhe is actually an older style because wuxing seems to have become simpler, perhaps even gentrified. (George Xu used to say "think kill!" when we practiced liuhe.)

The main weapon of war for the infantry for most of history was the spear. A phalanx protected by a small cavalry was very difficult to beat. Cavalries with huge Arabian horses became a cult of the emperor by the time of the Tang Dynasty (cavalries were later used by the Mongolian hordes conquered the world) and they were formidable, but training war horses was harder and more expensive than training huge infantries. The spear remained very important until the invention of the gun.

DragonSpear training is evident in luohe xingyi both in the stepping and in the shrinking of the body size, not to mention the turning maneuvers and the focus on forward movement. I really can think of no martial art that is better designed for fighting with a group in tight formation, shoulder to shoulder.
I have heard that xingyi was officer training for the infantry but I don't know of any facts to back it up.

Another theory goes that xingyi could be practiced on the thin paths of the rice paddies and in small places (as opposed to Shaolin which needs an open court yard or a walled park). It could be practiced on the road, going and coming from work.

Update: China From Inside is a pretty good site.

Fighting between student's

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One way I deal with violence is to get the students to list all the possible reasons for fighting.

To protect one's body, to protect someone else, to protect property, to take property or land, to get revenge or vengeance, to protect one's honor, to humiliate someone, to intimidate someone, as a form of rough play, or in a matched fight or performance.

 

I then try to examine these reasons historically, so students know that they are part of what is, and has always been, normal. I sometimes pull out a twenty dollar bill and ask if students know who this person is. President Andrew Jackson got into at least 30 duels (to protect his Honor) (some say as many as 100), he also abducted his wife and chased her former husband into the woods with a knife.

Discussing duels helps students understand why they want to fight, why it's normal, and also why it is inappropriate. Most fights at school are attempts to humiliate or intimidate someone. If students understand this they are much less likely to get into fights.

Once we have had this discussion, I can sometimes stop a confrontation between students by asking them if they would like to perform a fight to the death for the rest of us.