History of Kung Fu |
Misconceptions abound about the
history of Kung fu. Even the term is a misnomer. Kung fu, much used in the West, actually
means task, work performed, special skills, strength, ability, or time spent, and is a
generic term for exercise. Wushu is the correct term for martial arts (wu meaning
military, shu meaning arts). It is also sometimes known as kuo shu (national arts), a
title coined in the 1920’s, which has mostly reverted back to the original wushu.
Kung fu will be used here to denote the more traditional styles and systems of the Chinese martial arts.
The notion that Bodhidharma brought kung fu to China is also a misconception. He did bring Buddhism, and developed a set of exercises to keep the monks fit for their long periods of meditation. However, China had kung fu long before Bodhidharma entered the "middle country". Records dating back from 350BC prove that kung fu was already alive and well in China. This was the first age of chivalry in China, where only the noble practiced warfare.
In 246BC, the first emperor of the Ch’in dynasty came to power. This "Chinese Caesar" united China into a complete empire. During this time, civilians were forbidden to carry weapons or practice the martial arts.
The next emperor, Liu Pang, the first ruler of the Han dynasty, returned China to the study of the martial arts. During this era (202BC – 220AD), Hua-to, a physician, developed the exercises "five animals at play". Though not designed as a martial art, Hua-to’s tiger, monkey, bear, bird and deer sets are considered by many to be the forerunners of the kung fu animal systems.
During the T’ang dynasty (618-907AD), nearly all young men trained in the martial arts. Heroic fighting monks like Chih Ts’ao, Hui Yang, and T’an Tsung of the Shaolin Temple in Honan spread the fame of Shaolin Temple Boxing throughout China. Tradition holds the Chang Chuan (Long Fist), Liu Ho, and Hsing-I were created during this period.
During the Ching Dynasty (1644-1911AD), rebellious martial artists headquartered themselves in the sanctuary of the Shaolin temple. The Manchurian government forced the rebels to flee by burning the temple.
Kung fu flourished in China during the Republic (1912-1948), but when the Communists took over, the study of martial arts, except in secret, ceased.
In the 1970’s, kung fu returned to mainland China in the guise of a national sport: modern wushu.
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