Northern Shaolin (martial art)
Encyclopedia
In its broadest sense, Northern Shaolin ' onMouseout='HidePop("39373")' href="/topics/Pinyin">Pinyin
: běishàolín, Cantonese: Bak Sil Lum) refers to the external (as opposed to internal
) martial arts of Northern China
referring to those styles from the Northern Shaolin Monastery in Henan
. At its most specific, Northern Shaolin refers to a style called Fist taught at the gates of Northern Shaolin , disseminated by Gu Ruzhang (Cantonese Ku Yu Cheung
).
The system teaches empty-hand techniques and weaponry through predetermined combinations, known as forms, routines, or movement of sets. The students learn the basics by practicing the routines until the movements in the routines can be executed naturally based on instinct. Then, two or multiple man sets are practiced to train responses and applications of techniques learned from the sets. The practice sets/routines are not only practical in applications but are also graceful and artistic in nature. The fluidness of the movements combined with acrobatic techniques are trademarks of the Northern Shaolin sets.
The Northern Shaolin style was made famous by the late Ku Yu Cheung
. There are many legends of Ku; according to tales related by his close students, Ku's father was an accomplished exponent of the Tan Tui
("springing leg") form. When he was young, Ku traveled throughout Northern China to learn all the northern kung fu systems. He was renowned for his Iron Palm
techniques and the application of the long spear
. He organized all his learnings into what is today's Northern Shaolin style.
and became famous for aiding the future Emperor Li Shimin in struggles against rebellious forces. The monks were primarily known for their spear and staff techniques until the Ming
-Qing
transition when they began to specialize in unarmed combat. As the reputation of the Shaolin martial arts grew during the following centuries, its name became synonymous with martial arts, regardless of whether an individual art traced its origins to the Shaolin Monastery in Henan or not. As a result, the "Shaolin" moniker was applied to other Buddhist temples with strong reputations for martial arts. The characteristics of the martial arts taught at each temple were so different from each other that they became identified with their place of origin.
The Northern Shaolin style associated with Gu Ruzhang was first taught to a lay disciple, the celebrated 18th century master Gan Fengchi of Jiangsu Province, by a Shaolin monk named Zhao Yuan, born Zhu Fu, a member of the Ming
royal family who joined the sangha
after the Ming was overthrown by the Qing in 1644. (Gan is also remembered for founding the martial art Huāquán 花拳, literally "flower fist", about which he wrote the book Introduction to Huāquán.) Gan in turn taught Wan Bangcai, who taught Yan Degong, who taught Yan Sansen, who taught Yan Jiwen, who taught his nephew Gu Ruzhang (1894–1952).
Generation 1-7
Yan Jiwen also taught Gu the skills of Iron Body and Iron Palm
. On a famous occasion in 1931, Gu is said to have demonstrated the latter on a horse.
Among the martial artists who gathered at the Central National Martial Arts Institute in Nanjing
in 1928, Gu placed in the top fifteen and was included—alongside Fu Zhensong, Li Xianwu, Wan Laimin, Wan Laisheng, and Wong Shao Chou—in the Five Southbound Tigers (五虎下江南; pinyin
: wǔ hǔ xià jiāng nán; literally "five tigers heading south of Jiangnan
"), five masters of the Northern Chinese martial arts sent to Guangzhou
to organize another National Martial Arts Institute.
In Guangzhou, the name "Shaolin" was already associated with Hung Gar
and other styles, so Gu's style came to be known by the name Northern Shaolin. Also by the names Bak Sil Lum in Cantonese and Bei Shaolin in Mandarin.
Note that some heirs of Zhang's tradition teach these routines in a different order, particularly those under Chan Kowk Wai
, graduated master by Yim Shang Wu, a direct student of Zhang and introductor of Northern Shaolin into Brazil.
In Argentina, the "WuHsingChuan" School of Sifu Neldo Sacomani teach the style Bak Siu Lam Mun, learned directly from Hong Kong. Your direct line of learning is: Ku Yu Cheung - Lung Tze Cheung (classmate Yim Seung Mo) - Lung Kai Ming - Hui Yin Fu.
Pinyin
Pinyin is the official system to transcribe Chinese characters into the Roman alphabet in China, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. It is also often used to teach Mandarin Chinese and spell Chinese names in foreign publications and used as an input method to enter Chinese characters into...
: běishàolín, Cantonese: Bak Sil Lum) refers to the external (as opposed to internal
Neijia
Nèijiā is a term in Chinese martial arts, grouping those styles that practice nèijìng , usually translated as internal martial arts, occupied with spiritual, mental or qi-related aspects, as opposed to an "external" approach focused on physiological aspects...
) martial arts of Northern China
North China
thumb|250px|Northern [[People's Republic of China]] region.Northern China or North China is a geographical region of China. The heartland of North China is the North China Plain....
referring to those styles from the Northern Shaolin Monastery in Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
. At its most specific, Northern Shaolin refers to a style called Fist taught at the gates of Northern Shaolin , disseminated by Gu Ruzhang (Cantonese Ku Yu Cheung
Ku Yu Cheung
Ku Yu Cheung was a Chinese martial artist who disseminated the Bak sil lum martial arts system across southern China in the early 1900’s. Ku was known for his expertise in Iron Palm hand conditioning among other Chinese Martial Art training exercises...
).
Characteristics
The Northern Shaolin style of kung fu is one of the most prominent traditional northern styles of Chinese martial arts. The northern styles of kung-fu generally emphasize long range techniques, quick advances and retreats, wide stances, kicking and leaping techniques, whirling circular blocks, quickness, agility, and aggressive attacks.The system teaches empty-hand techniques and weaponry through predetermined combinations, known as forms, routines, or movement of sets. The students learn the basics by practicing the routines until the movements in the routines can be executed naturally based on instinct. Then, two or multiple man sets are practiced to train responses and applications of techniques learned from the sets. The practice sets/routines are not only practical in applications but are also graceful and artistic in nature. The fluidness of the movements combined with acrobatic techniques are trademarks of the Northern Shaolin sets.
The Northern Shaolin style was made famous by the late Ku Yu Cheung
Ku Yu Cheung
Ku Yu Cheung was a Chinese martial artist who disseminated the Bak sil lum martial arts system across southern China in the early 1900’s. Ku was known for his expertise in Iron Palm hand conditioning among other Chinese Martial Art training exercises...
. There are many legends of Ku; according to tales related by his close students, Ku's father was an accomplished exponent of the Tan Tui
Tán Tui
Tán Tuǐ is a famous Northern wushu routine and has several versions due to its incorporation into various styles. For this reason the name can be translated to mean "spring" or "springing leg" or "pond" or "lake leg"....
("springing leg") form. When he was young, Ku traveled throughout Northern China to learn all the northern kung fu systems. He was renowned for his Iron Palm
Iron Palm
Iron Palm or Iron Hand is a body of training techniques in various Chinese martial arts. These conditioning techniques are typically meant to condition the hands to allow a practitioner to deliver very powerful blows without injury to his or her hands.-Overview:Iron Palm is a broad term covering...
techniques and the application of the long spear
Spear
A spear is a pole weapon consisting of a shaft, usually of wood, with a pointed head.The head may be simply the sharpened end of the shaft itself, as is the case with bamboo spears, or it may be made of a more durable material fastened to the shaft, such as flint, obsidian, iron, steel or...
. He organized all his learnings into what is today's Northern Shaolin style.
History
The monastery in Henan is the original Shaolin Monastery. The monks began to practice military weapons sometime around the Tang DynastyTang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was an imperial dynasty of China preceded by the Sui Dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period. It was founded by the Li family, who seized power during the decline and collapse of the Sui Empire...
and became famous for aiding the future Emperor Li Shimin in struggles against rebellious forces. The monks were primarily known for their spear and staff techniques until the Ming
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
-Qing
Qing Dynasty
The Qing Dynasty was the last dynasty of China, ruling from 1644 to 1912 with a brief, abortive restoration in 1917. It was preceded by the Ming Dynasty and followed by the Republic of China....
transition when they began to specialize in unarmed combat. As the reputation of the Shaolin martial arts grew during the following centuries, its name became synonymous with martial arts, regardless of whether an individual art traced its origins to the Shaolin Monastery in Henan or not. As a result, the "Shaolin" moniker was applied to other Buddhist temples with strong reputations for martial arts. The characteristics of the martial arts taught at each temple were so different from each other that they became identified with their place of origin.
The Northern Shaolin style associated with Gu Ruzhang was first taught to a lay disciple, the celebrated 18th century master Gan Fengchi of Jiangsu Province, by a Shaolin monk named Zhao Yuan, born Zhu Fu, a member of the Ming
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
royal family who joined the sangha
Sangha
Sangha is a word in Pali or Sanskrit that can be translated roughly as "association" or "assembly," "company" or "community" with common goal, vision or purpose...
after the Ming was overthrown by the Qing in 1644. (Gan is also remembered for founding the martial art Huāquán 花拳, literally "flower fist", about which he wrote the book Introduction to Huāquán.) Gan in turn taught Wan Bangcai, who taught Yan Degong, who taught Yan Sansen, who taught Yan Jiwen, who taught his nephew Gu Ruzhang (1894–1952).
Generation 1-7
- 朝元 和尚 (Monk Zhāo Yuán)
- 甘鳳吃 (Gān Fèng Chī)
- 萬邦才 (Wàn Bāng Cái)
- 嚴徳功 (Yán Dé Gōng)
- 嚴三省 (Yán Sān Xǐng)
- 嚴機(繼)溫 (Yán Jī Wēn)
- 顧汝章 (Gù Rǔ Zhāng)
Yan Jiwen also taught Gu the skills of Iron Body and Iron Palm
Iron Palm
Iron Palm or Iron Hand is a body of training techniques in various Chinese martial arts. These conditioning techniques are typically meant to condition the hands to allow a practitioner to deliver very powerful blows without injury to his or her hands.-Overview:Iron Palm is a broad term covering...
. On a famous occasion in 1931, Gu is said to have demonstrated the latter on a horse.
Among the martial artists who gathered at the Central National Martial Arts Institute in Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
in 1928, Gu placed in the top fifteen and was included—alongside Fu Zhensong, Li Xianwu, Wan Laimin, Wan Laisheng, and Wong Shao Chou—in the Five Southbound Tigers (五虎下江南; pinyin
Pinyin
Pinyin is the official system to transcribe Chinese characters into the Roman alphabet in China, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. It is also often used to teach Mandarin Chinese and spell Chinese names in foreign publications and used as an input method to enter Chinese characters into...
: wǔ hǔ xià jiāng nán; literally "five tigers heading south of Jiangnan
Jiangnan
Jiangnan or Jiang Nan is a geographic area in China referring to lands immediately to the south of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, including the southern part of the Yangtze Delta...
"), five masters of the Northern Chinese martial arts sent to Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
to organize another National Martial Arts Institute.
In Guangzhou, the name "Shaolin" was already associated with Hung Gar
Hung Gar
Hung Ga 洪家, Hung Kuen 洪拳, or Hung Ga Kuen 洪家拳 is a southern Chinese martial art associated with the Chinese folk hero Wong Fei Hung, who was a master of Hung Ga....
and other styles, so Gu's style came to be known by the name Northern Shaolin. Also by the names Bak Sil Lum in Cantonese and Bei Shaolin in Mandarin.
The Northern Shaolin curriculum of Gu Ru Zhang
| Chinese Chinese language The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages... | Mandarin Pinyin Pinyin Pinyin is the official system to transcribe Chinese characters into the Roman alphabet in China, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. It is also often used to teach Mandarin Chinese and spell Chinese names in foreign publications and used as an input method to enter Chinese characters into... | Cantonese | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open the Door | 開門 | Kāi Mén | Hoi Moon | open the door |
| Lead the Way | 領路 | Lǐng Lù | Ling Lo | lead the way |
| The Sitting Horse | 坐馬 | Zuò Mǎ | Choh Ma | sit on the horse |
| Pierce the Heart | 穿心 | Chuān Xīn | Cheun Sam | penetrate the heart |
| Martial Skill | 武藝 | Wǔ Yì | Mo Ngai | martial skill |
| Short Strike | 短打 | Duǎn Dǎ | Duen Da | hand to hand combat |
| Plum Flower | 梅花 | Méi Huā | Mui fa | plum flower |
| Uprooting Step | 拔步 | Bá Bù | Boot Bo | pluck the stance |
| Chained Fist | 連環拳 | Liánhuánquán | Lin Waan Keun | continuous fist |
| Pattern Method | 式法 | Shì Fǎ | Sik Faat | knowing the way |
Note that some heirs of Zhang's tradition teach these routines in a different order, particularly those under Chan Kowk Wai
Chan Kowk Wai
Chan Kwok Wai was born on April 3, 1936, at Taishan in the province of Canton, China. He is well regarded as the major introductor of traditional Shaolin Kung Fu in Brazil, through the...
, graduated master by Yim Shang Wu, a direct student of Zhang and introductor of Northern Shaolin into Brazil.
In Argentina, the "WuHsingChuan" School of Sifu Neldo Sacomani teach the style Bak Siu Lam Mun, learned directly from Hong Kong. Your direct line of learning is: Ku Yu Cheung - Lung Tze Cheung (classmate Yim Seung Mo) - Lung Kai Ming - Hui Yin Fu.