As an important component of the cultural heritage of China, Chinese martial art owns a history of several centuries. It is also called Wushu. More and more people have been attracted by its unique charm and come to China to learn it. If you are a Wushu lover, you should not ignore the following introduction of it.

 

Chinese Kungfu is a large system of theory and practice. It combines techniques of self-defense and health-keeping. Nowadays it has become more and more popular among foreigners, and some people also show great interest in the history of Chinese kungfu. Then what about the development of it as the China's development?

 

It is estimated that Chinese Kungfu can be dated back to primeval society. At that time people use cudgels to fight against wild beasts. Gradually they accumulated experience of self defense. When Shang Dynasty began, hunting was considered as an important measure of Kung Fu training. In this period, some coppery weapons like spears, daggers, halberds, axes, swords broadswords had come out. Meanwhile how to use these weapons appeared, too.

In the Warring States Periods, with the development of ironware and the rising of footmen and cavalrymen, weapons' handles were changed into short ones. Then there were so many kinds of weapons, and the characteristic of attack was more extrusive.

 
In Qin and Han Dynasties, wrestling, swordplay, and martial arts dancing were very popular. A well known instance was Xiang Zhuang’s Sword Dancing in Hongmen Banquet at the same period. His performance was very close to today’s martial arts. The application of spear play in Han Dynasty reached its summit along with the appearance of many other techniques of spear usage. It is said the Five-animal-style exercise was another innovation by Hua Tuo on the development of Chinese martial arts.

Starting from Tang Dynasty, Chinese Kungfu examination was proposed and implemented. Excellent candidates would receive titles and awards through the examination, largely propelling the development of martial arts. By then Chinese martial arts had evolved to be an artistic form and an independent genre. It was gradually introduced to many countries in Southeast Asia.

 

Song and Yuan Dynasties witnessed the climax of Chinese Kungfu development. Practice of Kungfu by civil organizations became more and more popular. Some organizations or clubs centered on the use of spear play and cudgel, and they were called Yinglue Organization; while others majored in the practice of arching and therefore called Arching Origination. Besides, there appeared another genre called Luqi People. They made a living as performer of martial arts all over the country. Usually their performance was carried out by a single person or two persons as a pair. 

 

In Ming and Qing dynasities, Chinese Kungfu achieved larger development. In Ming Dynasty, a lot of genres came into being and numerous books on martial arts were published. In Qing Dynasty, the ruling empire banned the practice of martial arts, and the folk had to set up various clubs or societies to pass down feat secretly. Therefore tens of schools of martial arts came into being, such as taiji, xingyi shadowboxing, eight–diagram shadowboxing, etc. Qing Dynasty is the times of integration among different martial arts genres.

 

In 1927, Central National Martial Arts Society was established. In August, 1936, Chinese Martial Arts Team went to Berlin to participate Olympics. In 1956, Chinese Martial Arts Association set up Martial Arts Teams. In 1985, International Marital Arts Invitational Tournament was held in Xi'an with the establishment of International Martial Arts League. In 1999, International Martial Arts League was invited as a member of International Individual Events Federation by International Olympic Committee, which can be regarded as the sign of Chinese martial arts becoming global.

 

Literally, "Wu" means military, and "Shu" means art. Wushu therefore means the art of fighting, or martial arts. Martial training includes Ti (kicking), Da (punching), Shuai (throwing), Na (controlling), Ji (hitting), Ci (thrusting), etc. Related to each style are basic forms, or sequences, which may involve defense strategies, offense, retreat, mobility and immobility, speed and slowness, hard or soft postures, emptiness and fullness, with or without weapons. Wushu was born and has steadily grown and attained perfection as an integral part of Chinese culture. As such it is bound to be influenced and conditioned by other forms of culture, first and foremost by philosophy, art and literature, and religion.

 

Wushu was originally a military training method, bearing a close relationship with ancient combats. Practical skills, such as strength training, fencing, staff sparring, spear training are still used now by policemen and soldiers in China. Today Wushu has been organized and systematized into a formal branch of study in the performance arts and has become an athletic and aesthetic performance and competitive sport. Every movement must exhibit sensible combat application and aestheticism.

 

Chinese Wushu is classified into various styles according to different regions, different schools and families, as well as different fighting techniques. Routines are performed solo, paired or in groups, either barehanded or armed with traditional Chinese weaponry. Wushu can be viewed in terms of two categories, including Taolu (Forms with or without weapons) and Sanshou (Free Sparring).

 

Taolu is a performance of set offensive and defensive Wushu movements based on Chinese Wushu principles. It includes the following four main categories: Bare-Handed Forms, Weapon Forms, Duilian, and Group Forms.

 

Barehands: Changquan (Long fist), Nanquan (Southern Fist), Taijiquan (Taiji Quan).

 

Short Weapons:  Dao (single-edged sword),  Jian (double-edged sword),  Taijijian (Taiji double-edged sword),  Nandao (Southern single-edged sword).

 

Long Weapons:  Gun (Staff),  Qiang (Spear),  Nangun (Southern Staff).

 

"Wushu" is the correct term for all Chinese martial arts therefore kung fu and Wushu was originally the same. During the last thirty years, Wushu in mainland China was modernized so that there could be a universal standard for training and competing. In essence, much emphasis has been placed on speed, difficulty, and presentation. Consequently, Wushu has become an athletic and aesthetic performance and competitive sport, while "kungfu" or traditional Wushu remains the traditional fighting practice. Tai Chi Chuan is a major division of Wushu, utilizing the bodies’ internal energy or "chi" and following the simple principle of "subduing the vigorous by the soft."