Also known as | Tong4 Long4 Tōrō-ken |
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Focus | Striking |
Country of origin | China |
Creator | Wang Lang (王朗) |
Parenthood | see Origins section |
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Chinese martial arts (Wushu) |
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The Seven Star Praying Mantis Boxing syllabus as passed on by Master Luo Guangyu family lineage contains thirteen (13) original Praying Mantis forms, twenty-five (25) Seven-Star Praying Mantis empty hand forms, and over forty (40) weapons forms. The core handsets within our QXTL system include Beng Bu, Duo Gang, and Shi Ba Sou. Wong was fascinated by the aggressiveness, speed and strength of the apparently over matched Mantis. Seven Star was one of the four he created first and since then we have alot of different styles of Praying Mantis. Northern Seven Star Praying Mantis Fist. Founder – Wong Long (1) Taoist Monk Sheng Hsiao (2) Li San Tsien.
Northern Praying Mantis (Chinese: 螳螂拳; pinyin: tánglángquán; literally: 'praying mantis fist') is a style of Chinese martial arts, sometimes called Shandong Praying Mantis after its province of origin. It was created by Wang Lang (王朗) and was named after the praying mantis, an insect, the aggressiveness of which inspired the style. One Mantis legend places the creation of the style in the Song Dynasty when Wang Lang was supposedly one of 18 masters gathered by the Abbot Fu Ju (福居), a legendary persona of the historical Abbot Fu Yu (福裕) (1203–1275), to improve Shaolin martial arts.[1] However, most legends place Wang Lang in the late Ming Dynasty.[2][3]
- 2Origins
- 3Styles
- 4Media
- 5References
Features[edit]
Comparison of a technical drawing of a mantis arm and the 'mantis hook' hand posture.
The mantis is a long and narrow predatory insect. While heavily armoured, it is not built to withstand forces from perpendicular directions. Consequently, its fighting style involves the use of whip-like/circular motions to deflect direct attacks, which it follows up with precise attacks to the opponent's vital spots. These traits have been subsumed into the Northern Praying Mantis style, under the rubric of 'removing something' (blocking to create a gap) and 'adding something' (rapid attack).[4]
One of the most distinctive features of Northern Praying Mantis is the 'praying mantis hook' (螳螂勾; pinyin: tángláng gōu): a hook made of one to three fingers directing force in a whip-like manner. The hook may be used to divert force (blocking), adhere to an opponent's limb, or attack critical spots (eyes or acupuncture points). These techniques are particularly useful in combination, for example using the force imparted from a block to power an attack. So if the enemy punches with the right hand, a Northern Praying Mantis practitioner might hook outwards with the left hand (shifting the body to the left) and use the turning force to attack the enemy's neck with a right hook. Alternately, he/she might divert downwards with the left hook and rebound with the left wrist stump to jaw/nose/throat. The 'praying mantis hook' is also part of some of the distinctive typical guarding positions of the style.
Northern Praying Mantis is especially known for its speed and continuous attacks. Wrist/arm techniques in particular are emphasized, as well as knee and elbow strikes. Another prominent feature of the style is its complex footwork, borrowed from Monkey Kung Fu.
The core of the Mantis system is made up of the following forms: Beng Bu, Luan Jie, Fen Shen Ba Zhou, Zhai Yao and Fan Che.
According to the writings of Liang Xue Xiang, the original forms of the system, as passed down by Wang Lang, were Luan Jie, Fen Shen Ba Zhou, and the Mi Shou (secret hands, not a form but solo movements). Others have stated that Beng Bu, Luan Jie and Fen Shou Ba Zhou are the original. Zhai Yao was created later, and is a compilation of the most important techniques and combinations of the system.
Origins[edit]
There are many legends surrounding the creation of Northern Praying Mantis boxing. One legend attributes the creation of Mantis fist to the Song Dynasty when Abbot Fu Ju (福居), a legendary persona of the historical Abbot Fu Yu (福裕) (1203–1275), supposedly invited Wang Lang (王朗) and seventeen other masters to come and improve the martial arts of Shaolin.[5] The Abbot recorded all of the techniques in a manual called the Mishou (祕手 – 'Secret Hands') and later passed it onto the Taoist priest Shen Xiao. This manual supposedly disappeared until the Qianlongreign era when it was published under the name 'Arhat exercising merit short strike illustrated manuscript' (Chinese: 罗汉行功短打; pinyin: Luóhàn Xínggōng Duǎn Dǎ).[5] Some sources place the folk manuscript's publication on the 'sixteenth day of the third month of the spring of 1794'.[6] The manual records Wang Lang 'absorbed and equalized all previous techniques' learned from the 17 other masters.[2][6]
# | Name | Technique | Master |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Changquan | Long Fist Boxing | Emperor Taizu of Song |
2 | Tongbeiquan | Through the Back | Han Tong |
3 | Chan Feng | Wrap Around and Seal | Zheng En |
4 | Duanda | Close-range Strikes | Ma Ji |
5 | Keshou Tongquan | Knocking Hands and Follow Through Fist | Jin Xiang |
6 | Gou Lou Cai Shou | Hooking, Grappling and Plucking Hands | Liu Xing |
7 | Zhanna Diefa | Methods of Sticking, Grabbing, and Falling | Yan Qing |
8 | Duan Quan | Short Boxing | Wen Yuan |
9 | Hou Quan | Monkey Boxing | Sun Heng |
10 | Mien Quan | Cotton Fist | Mien Shen |
11 | Shuailue Yingbeng | Throwing-Grabbing and Hard Crashing | Gao Huaide |
12 | Gunlou Guaner | Rolling, Leaking and Piercing the Ears | Tan Fang |
13 | Chuojiao | Mandarin ducks kicking technique | Lin Chong |
14 | Qishi Lianquan | Seven Postures of Continuously Linked Strikes | Meng Su |
15 | Kunlu Zhenru | Hand Binding and Grabbing | Yang Gun |
16 | Woli Paochui | Explosive Strikes into the Hollow Body Parts | Cui Lian |
17 | Kao Shen | Leaning Body Techniques | Huang You |
18 | Tong long | Praying Mantis | Wong Long |
A third of the masters listed all come from fictional novels. Yan Qing (#7) and Lin Chong (#13) come from the Water Margin and Emperor Taizu of Song (#1), Han Tong (#2), Zheng En (#3) and Gao Huaide (#11) come from the Fei Long Quan Zhuan (飞龙全传 – 'The Complete Flying Dragon Biography'), which was published prior to the aforementioned manual.[7]
Another legend connected to the Song Dynasty states Wang Lang participated in a Lei tai contest in the capital city of Kaifeng and was defeated by General Han Tong (韩通), the founder of Tongbeiquan. After leaving the fighting arena, he saw a brave praying mantis attacking the wheels of oncoming carts with its 'broadsword-like' arms, Mantis fist was born shortly thereafter.[8] However, most legends place Wang Lang living in the late Ming Dynasty.[2][3]
Connection with General Yue Fei[edit]
The 'Four Generals of Zhongxing' painted by Liu Songnian during the Southern Song Dynasty. Yue Fei is the second person from the left. It is believed to be the 'truest portrait of Yue in all extant materials.'[9]
As previously stated, the Water Margin bandits Lin Chong and Yan Qing, the adopted of Lu Junyi, are said to be part of the 18 masters supposedly invited to Shaolin by the legendary Abbot Fuju. According to the folklore biography of Song Dynasty General Yue Fei, Lin and Lu were former students of Zhou Tong, the general's military arts teacher.[10] One martial legend states Zhou learned Chuojiao boxing from its originator Deng Liang (邓良) and then passed it onto Yue Fei.[11] Chuojiao is also known as the 'Water Margin Outlaw style' and 'Mandarin Duck Leg' (Chinese: 鴛鴦腿; pinyin: Yuānyāng Tuǐ).[12] In the Water Margin's twenty-ninth chapter, entitled 'Wu Song, Drunk, Beats Jiang the Gate Guard Giant', it mentions Wu Song, another of Zhou's fictional students, using the 'Jade Circle-Steps with Duck and Drake feet'.[13]Lin Chong is listed above as being a master of 'Mandarin ducks kicking technique'.
Northern Mantis Lineage Master Yuen Man Kai openly claims Zhou taught Lin and Lu the 'same school' of martial arts that was later combined with the seventeen other schools to create the Mantis style.[14] However, he believes Mantis style was created during the Ming Dynasty, and was therefore influenced by these eighteen schools from the Song. He also says Lu Junyi taught Yan Qing the same martial arts as he learned from Zhou.[15] Master Yuen further comments Zhou later taught Yue the same school and that Yue was the originator of the mantis move 'Black Tiger Steeling [sic] Heart'.[15] Note that the various branches of Yue Jia Quan (Yue Family Boxing) do indeed have an analogous postural movement named 'Black Tiger Steals the Heart'. Also various Yue Jia Quan sets feature a 'Preying Mantis Pounces on Prey' claw hand posture as well.
Styles[edit]
Widespread styles[edit]
There are several styles of Northern Praying Mantis, the best known of which are:[16]
- Seven Star Praying Mantis Boxing (Chinese: 七星螳螂拳; pinyin: qī xīng tángláng quán) is arguably the most well known and practiced branch of Northern Praying Mantis. In China, it is widely practiced in Liaoning and Shandong Provinces. Today this system is represented by the lineages of Wang Rongsheng and Wang Yunpeng, based on the teachings of Li Sanjian. In the modern era, Luo Guangyu (羅光玉) is known for having passed down this style to Hong Kong, Shanghai and other parts of Southern China via the Jingwu Athletic Association, and by his disciples the martial tradition has been disseminated internationally through the Chinese Diaspora. Seven Star Mantis combines elements of Hard and Soft methods, Long and Short attacks, internal and external principles. It is considered by many as the 'hardest' of the Praying Mantis styles, but this association is misleading. A common saying, 'Hide the hard in the soft,' means both Hard and Soft are interwoven together.
- Plum Blossom Praying Mantis Boxing (Chinese: 梅花螳螂拳; pinyin: méihuā tángláng quán). it is widespread in Shandong Province, Jilin, Liaoning and South Korea. Though heavily influenced by the development of Taiji Mantis of Cui Shoushan and Wang Yushan, Taiji Plum Blossom of Hao Family, Taiji Mantis of Zhao Zhuxi and Babu Mantis of Wei Xiaotang in the early 1900s, the art traces its lineage directly from Li Bingxiao (b.1700s) to Zhao Zhu to Liang Xuexiang (1810–1895). Liang Xue Xiang (alternately listed as living from 1790-1860) was mentioned prominently by the Korean Branch of the Mei Hua Tang Lang as the 'creator of the Plum Flower Branch of Praying Mantis Boxing and was the first master to use the name 'Plum Blossom'. Liang Xuexiang's disciples, mainly Jiang Hualong, Liang Jingchuan, Sun Yuanchang, Hao Hong and Xiu Kunshan are responsible for popularization of this style in the 20th century while Lin Ping Jiang, an emigre of the 1940-s is known to have come from Shantong province to teach Praying Mantis in the area of Seoul, Korea.
- Taiji Praying Mantis Boxing (Chinese: 太極螳螂拳; pinyin: tàijí tángláng quán). Today this style is represented by two distinct lineages. The first one is that of Cui Shoushan and Wang Yushan and is based on Song Zide and Jiang Hualong's Plum Blossom teachings in Laiyang, Shandong Province. It is popular in Laiyang, Yantai, Qingdao, Dalian, North America, Russia, France and Spain. The second lineage can be traced to Sun Yuanchang's Plum Blossom, who was yet another disciple of Liang Xuexiang. Its best known progenitor is Zhao Zhu Xi, who is said to have taught (both directly and indirectly) thousands of students during his lifetime in Vietnam and Hong Kong, who have since spread to all corners of the globe. He was given the Cantonese nickname Chuk Kai, meaning 'Bamboo Creek', for a famous battle he fought with bandits at that location. This style has since become prevalent in places such as Korea, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and North America.
- Taiji Plum Blossom Praying Mantis Boxing (Chinese: 太極梅花螳螂拳; pinyin: tàijí méihuā tángláng quán). This style is, historically, a combination of two different lineages of Mantis: Taiji Mantis and Plum Blossom Mantis. This style is widespread in Yantai, Qingdao, Beijing, Dalian, Harbin, etc. What is now called Taiji Plum Blossom traces its lineage to Hao Lianru (郝蓮茹)—a disciple of Liang Xuexiang, his sons Hao Henglu, Hao Hengxin and his grandson Hao Bin. The later three combined both Taiji Mantis and Plum Blossom in the early 20th century, creating the current style. Hao Lianru's five sons have since spread the style elsewhere. This style is well known for its large, two-handed sword, and for being somewhat 'softer' than Seven Star Praying Mantis.
- Six Harmony Praying Mantis Boxing (Chinese: 六合螳螂拳; pinyin: liù hé tángláng quán). Known as the 'softest' or most 'internal' of the Praying Mantis styles, Six Harmony was passed down by Ding Zicheng (丁子成), whose students taught in Shandong Province as well as Taiwan. Six Harmony Praying Mantis has a very different curriculum, with unique routines not found in other Praying Mantis styles.
- Eight Step Praying Mantis Boxing (Chinese: 八步螳螂拳; pinyin: bā bù tángláng quán). This style was originally conceived by Jiang Hua Long (姜化龍), and was further refined by his principle disciple of the style, Feng Huanyi (馮環義), which was passed down by his disciple Wei Xiaotang (衛笑堂) in Taiwan. It is claimed that the style was passed down to his disciple Shyun Guang Long (荀廣龍) (James Shyun), although this claim has been contested. The style is taught in Taiwan by Master Tso Hsien Fu, and was taught abroad by Su Yuchang, both disciples of Wei Xiaotang, amongst others.[17]
Rare styles[edit]
Other, less widespread styles include:
- Shiny Board Praying Mantis Boxing (Chinese: 光板螳螂拳; pinyin: guāng bǎn tángláng quán). Also known as 'flat plate' or 'hidden grip' Praying Mantis.
- Long Fist Praying Mantis Boxing (Chinese: 長拳螳螂拳Influenced strongly by Long Fist boxing. The style is taught in Taiwan by students of master Gao Dao Shen.
- Throwing Hand Praying Mantis Boxing (Chinese: 摔手梅花螳螂拳; pinyin: shuāishǒu méihuā tángláng quán). This style was passed down by Bao Guangying from Shandong Province. He taught in Hong Kong and Guangzhou.
- Secret Gate Praying Mantis Boxing (Chinese: 秘門螳螂拳; pinyin: mì mén tángláng quán). This style was passed down by Zhang Dekui (張德奎) in Taiwan and is a variation of Taiji Mantis.
- Ma (Horse) Family Praying Mantis Boxing (Chinese: 馬家螳螂拳; pinyin: ma jia tángláng quán). Passed down by Ma Hei Long (馬黑龍) in Northern China after fleeing the cultural revolution. His top student Ma Qing Long was the first to teach the style to the public.
Media[edit]
Mantis fist is usually the main antagonist's style of choice in various forms of media.
Film[edit]
David Chiang learns this style from the Mantis in The Deadly Mantis (1978 film) a.k.a. Shaolin mantis (1978)
The Style is performed in Yuen Siu-tien's starring Dance of the Drunk Mantis (1979)
In The Tricky Master (1999), Stephen Chow's apprentice beats an overweight card sharp in a 'fixed' high-stakes poker game. When taunted, the card sharp jumps onto the playing table and defeats Chow's deaf, cross-dressing bodyguard with a 'long lost kung fu' called 'Fat Mantis', which is the 'most powerful...and kills without blood.' (Note the card sharp's shadow cast upon the wall in the shape of an overweight mantis with a big round belly.) In the end, Stephen Chow sprays the card sharp with a can of insecticide. He falls to the ground dead with his hands and legs held into the air like a bug.
In The Forbidden Kingdom (2008), the 'Silent Monk' (Jet Li) employs mantis fist in his battle over the Monkey King's magical staff with Lu Yan, the 'Drunken Immortal' (Jackie Chan). But his Mantis boxing is shortly thereafter overpowered by Lu's Tiger boxing. The movie's screenwriter, John Fusco, is a long-time student of Northern Praying Mantis and worked closely with Jet Li during production.
In the animated movie Kung Fu Panda, one of the six kung fu students is an actual praying mantis who uses Northern Praying Mantis kung fu.[18]
Television[edit]
In Hung Hei-Gun: Decisive Battle With Praying Mantis Fists (洪熙官: 决战螳螂拳) (a.k.a. The Kung Fu Master, 1994), Donnie Yen plays the titular role of legendary martial arts hero Hung Hei-Gun. After being beaten up as a Child, Hung's parents send him away to study Kung Fu. He returns eight years later to find his father (who is secretly an anti-Manchu rebel leader) working as the military arms instructor for the Qing government, much to the chagrin of the local villagers. Despite his years of training, a rakish manchu Prince easily overpowers Hung with the mantis style. After the supposed death of his father, Hung faces the prince once more. When the prince shoots poisonous arrows from his sleeves, Hung twirls his staff to collect the projectiles and then flings them back. The Prince dies from his own poison arrows.[19]
In the 2014 Netflix TV series Marco Polo, Jia Sidao, the main antagonist, portrayed by Chin Han,[20] uses praying mantis kung fu.
Books[edit]
Mantis is about a half-Vietnamese serial killer who murders erotic dancers because he believes his pet praying mantis tells him to do so (which is quite similar the real life case involving the 'Son of Sam'). He uses this style of fighting utilizing his fingers to attack the neck veins and the eyes.[21]
Video games[edit]
Lion Rafale, a character from Sega's Virtua Fighter series, uses Praying Mantis style. He was introduced in Virtua Fighter 2. It is also used by Kung Lao and Shujinko in the Mortal Kombat series. Wulong Goth, the leader of the evil 'Black Mantis' sect, employs Praying Mantis in the game Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus. Gen, from the Street Fighter series of video games, uses this technique, which he can change at will with the Crane style. In the Eternal Champions series, Praying Mantis is used by Larcen Tyler.
References[edit]
- ^Kohn, Livia (2000). Daoism handbook. Leiden: Brill. ISBN9789004112087.
- ^ abc'Creation of the Praying Mantis'. Plum Publications. Archived from the original on 12 April 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
- ^ abBlanco, Fernando. 'Praying Mantis'. Atlanta Martial Arts Directory. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
- ^'Northern Mantis Barrage Training!'. Inside Kung Fu Magazine. Beckett Media LLC. Archived from the original on 1 March 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
- ^ ab(2001). Luohan Xinggong Duan Da. JOURNAL OF SPORT HISTORY AND CULTURE (体育文史), No.1, P.36-37,9 [ISSN1671-1572]
- ^ abWhat's Praying Mantis Kung Fu?Archived December 8, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^Xuan, Wu (1998). Fei long quan zhuan (Di 1 ban. ed.). Chang chun: Ji lin wen shi chu ban she. ISBN978-7806262580.
- ^(in Spanish)(in English)SHANDONG WUSHU TAIJI TANGLANG QUANArchived June 17, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
- ^Xiaoyi, Shao. 'Yue Fei's facelift sparks debate'. China Daily. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 9 August 2007.
- ^Qian, Cai. General Yue Fei. Trans. Honorable Sir T.L. Yang. Joint Publishing (H.K.) Co., Ltd. (1995) ISBN978-962-04-1279-0
- ^'Chuo Jiao Fist'. Archived from the original on 4 April 2009.
- ^'Chuojiao (thrusted-in feet)'. Archived from the original on 16 December 2007.
- ^Nai'an, Shi; Sidney Shapiro; Luo Guanzhong (1993). Outlaws of the Marsh. Translated by Shapiro (1st ed.). Beijing: Foreign Languages Press. ISBN978-7-119-01662-7.
- ^Man Kai, Yuen (1991). Northern Mantis Black Tiger Intersectional Boxing. Wanchai, Hong Kong: Yih Mei Book Company. p. 7. ISBN978-962-325-195-2.
- ^ abYuen: pg. 8[clarification needed]
- ^See Su Yuchang, Pachi Tanglang Chuan: Eight Ultimate Praying Mantis, 2014, pp. 213ff.
- ^Su Yuchang, Pachi Tanglang Chuan: Eight Ultimate Praying Mantis, 2014, pp. 217-18.
- ^Reid, Dr. Craig. 'KUNG FU PANDA: Big Bear Cat was 'PO-fect''. Kung Fu Magazine. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
- ^'The Kung Fu Master movie review'. Hong Kong Digital. Archived from the original on April 29, 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
- ^Shackleton, Liz (May 16, 2014). 'Chin Han joins Marco Polo cast'. Screendaily.com. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
- ^La Plante, Richard (1993). Mantis (1st ed.). New York: Tor Books. ISBN978-0312855314.
External links[edit]
- History of Taiji Praying Mantis Kung Fu from Monkeystealspeach.com
- History of Hao Family Praying Mantis Kung Fu from Monkeystealspeach.com
- Eight Step. History of Eight Step Praying Mantis Kung Fu.
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Northern_Praying_Mantis&oldid=917567035'
(Redirected from Southern Praying Mantis (martial art))
Also known as | Nan Pai Tanglang |
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Focus | Striking, Grappling |
Country of origin | China |
Creator | Chow Gar style: Chow Ah-Nam Chu Gar style: Chow Ah-Nam & Chu Fook-To Kwong Sai Jook Lum style: Som Dot Iron Ox style: Hung Mei Thong Long Quet Tsot style: Chen Kiu |
Famous practitioners | Wong Fook Go Lau Shui / Lau Soei Lee Kun Ching / Lee Siem See Choi Dit-Ngau / Iron Ox Choi Hsiung Khan Seong |
Parenthood | Southern Shaolin kung fu |
Olympic sport | No |
Southern Praying Mantis | |||||||||||||||
Chinese | 南派螳螂 | ||||||||||||||
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Literal meaning | 'southern-style mantis' | ||||||||||||||
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Chinese martial arts (Wushu) |
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Southern Praying Mantis (Chinese: 南派螳螂) is a Chinese martial art originating with the Hakka people. It is most closely associated with styles such as Southern Dragon Kung Fu and Bak Mei.
Despite its name, the Southern Mantis style is unrelated to the Northern Praying Mantis style.[1]
Southern Praying Mantis places a heavy emphasis on close-range fighting. This system is known for its short power methods, and has aspects of both internal and external techniques. In application, the emphasis is on hand and arm techniques, and a limited use of low kicks. The application of close combat methods with an emphasis on hands and short kicking techniques makes the Southern Praying Mantis art somewhat akin to what many would call 'street fighting.' The hands are the most readily available for attack and defence of the upper body, and protect the stylist by employing ruthless techniques designed to inflict serious injury. The legs are moved quickly into range through footwork to protect and defend the body, and kicks are kept low, short and quick so as to never leave the Southern Mantis combatant off balance and vulnerable.
![Seven Seven](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_aCEYf6v9pTk/SIk3NFJYK4I/AAAAAAAAAHk/8m1fZYcl7is/s400/pm1.jpg)
- 1History
- 4Media
History[edit]
There are five main branches of Southern Praying Mantis:
- Chow Gar (周家; Chow family)
- Chu Gar (朱家; Chu family)
- Kwong Sai Jook Lum (Chinese: 江西竹林; pinyin: Jiāngxī zhúlín 'Jiāngxī Bamboo Forest')
- Iron Ox (Chinese: 鐵牛; pinyin: Tiě niú)
- K. S. Hsiung Thong Long Quet Tsot (Chinese: 螳螂國術; Wade–Giles: tángláng guóshù 'Mantis Martial Arts')
A common antecedent can be surmised from the same traditional region of origin, the popularity amongst the Hakka community, a reference to praying mantis, similar training forms such as Sarm Bo Jin (Chinese: 三步箭; pinyin: sān bù jiàn, 'Three Steps Arrow') and common application principles. However, despite similarities, the genealogies of these branches are not complete enough to trace them to a single common ancestor. The relationship between Chow Gar[2] and Chu Gar[3] can both be traced directly to Lau Shui.
The origins of the Kwong Sai Jook Lum system is controversial with some Chu Gar proponents claiming a relationship also to Lau Shui.[3] However, those claims have since been refuted.
The Iron Ox system can be traced historically to the area of South China where the other branches of Southern Mantis originated and to the same Hakka communities where the art was transmitted.[4] There are many other Southern styles such as Chuka Shaolin [5] that uses similar technique but are not identified as being part of this group of martial arts according to their respective schools. Those styles can be identified as being Hakka Kuen.
Hakka Kuen[edit]
Kwong Sai Jook Lum tradition mentions that the people of the Pearl River Delta once referred to the Southern Praying Mantis style as 'Hakka Kuen' (Chinese: 客家拳; pinyin: Kèjiā quán 'Hakka Fist'), a term that was initially linked to the Southern martial arts practised by the Hakka community of inland eastern Guangdong and later applied to the skills that are practised by oversea Hakka communities. The reason for this was the close association of this style with the Hakka community.
This region, the original home to Southern Praying Mantis by way of being the childhood hometowns of its deemed founders, covers a wide expanse in Southern China. It begins at the very heart of Hakka territory at Xingning, the home of Chow Gar founder Chow Ah-Nam. From Xingning, the Dong River (東江) flows west out of Meizhou (梅州) through Hoh Yuen, the place of origin for Iron Ox founder Choi Tit-Ngau. In the prefecture of Huizhou, the Dong Kwong forms the northern border of Huìyáng (惠陽) County, where Kwong Sai Jook Lum master Chung Yu-Chang and Chow/Chu Gar teacher Lau Shui grew up and established their martial arts reputation. From there, the Dongjiang flows into the Pearl River Delta (珠江三角洲) at Bao'an County (present-day Shenzhen), where Kwong Sai Jook Lum masters Wong Yook-Gong and Lum Wing-Fay originated. These masters are all members of the Hakka community and the transmission of this remained within this community until the generation of Lau Shui and Lum Wing-Fay.
Praying Mantis[edit]
The association of the term '(Praying) Mantis' with the style is also controversial. Each branch of the style offers a different explanation.
The traditions of the Chow Gar and Kwong Sai Jook Lum branches each maintain that their respective founders Chow Ah-Nam and Som Dot created their styles after witnessing a praying mantis fight and defeat a bird. Such inspiration is a recurring motif in the Chinese martial arts and can be found in the legends of Northern Praying Mantis, Fujian White Crane, Tai chi and Wing Chun.
The traditions of the Chu family branch contend that the name 'Southern Praying Mantis' was chosen to conceal from Qing forces its political affiliations by pretending that this esoteric style of Ming loyalists was in fact a regional variant of the popular and widespread Northern Mantis style from Shandong.[3]
The use of the term 'Praying Mantis' seems appropriate when one considers the postures of well known practitioners of this style. The emphasis on the techniques of sticky hands, the use of the forearm with the elbows tucked into the chest, claw like fingers and quick explosive actions creates an image that are visually similar to a praying mantis preparing to strike its prey.[6] However, other martial artists argue that those techniques are more similar to the actions of the Five Ancestors style or the White Crane style than a praying mantis.[7] Unlike the Northern Praying Mantis, which have a special hand technique that is directly attributed to a Praying Mantis strike, for example, the tángláng gōu, the Southern Praying Mantis do not have similar special hand techniques named after the mantis. The legacy of Lau Soei that is related to the praying mantis name was his famous staff form - the Tong Long Bo Sim Staff (Chinese: 螳螂捕蟬棍).
Lau Soei[edit]
Lau Soei (1866–1942; 劉瑞; 劉水﹞) was a Hakka who established a reputation as a martial artist during the turn of the century in Southern China and later as a martial arts teacher in Hong Kong.[8]Lau Soei was also known as the tiger of Dong Jiang (東江老虎). His signature techniques include the 'Zhoujia (Chow Gar)-Tanglang-Sanjian' (the three arrows of Zhoujia praying mantis, 周家螳螂三箭拳) and the staff form “Tanglang-puchangun” (螳螂捕蟬棍尤). Like many martial artists of his generation, he resettled in Hong Kong after the Chinese Civil War. He continued to teach the Southern Praying Mantis Style and many of his students eventually became teachers of this style. He was acknowledged by both the Chow Gar and the Chu Gar practitioners as the founding teacher of the system in the modern era.
Chow Gar[edit]
The most famous branch of Southern Mantis martial arts, the Chow family (周家) branch traces its art to c. 1800 to Chow Ah-Nam (周亞南), a Hakka who as a boy left his home in Guangdong for medical treatment at the Southern Shaolin Monastery in Fujian where, in addition to being treated for his stomach ailment, he was trained in the martial arts and eventually created Southern Praying Mantis. His student was Wong Fook Go (黃福高) who was one of the teacher of Lau Soei.[2]
The continued popularity of modern Chow Gar is due to the work of Ip Shui (葉瑞), a student of Lau Soei. He promoted the style within Hong Kong and later, to the United Kingdom[9] and Australia.[10][11]
Chu Gar / Chuka / Chu Ka[edit]
The Chu family (朱家) branch attributes its art to Chu Fook-To, who created Southern Praying Mantis as a fighting style for opponents of the Qing (1644–1912), a Manchu dynasty that overthrew the Ming royal family (1368–1644), who were Han Chinese. This is the oldest branch in terms of origin and is the probable origin of the Southern Mantis style by way of age from which the other branches derived from. According to the Chu family branch, Chu was a member of the Ming Royal family who took refuge at Shaolin Monastery in Henan. After the destruction of the Northern Shaolin Monastery, Chu escaped to the Southern Shaolin Monastery in Fujian. He then promoted his art in the surrounding regions.
Current students of Chu Gar are not related to the students of Lau Soei. Lau Soei was friends with the a member of the Chu family. Chu's son, who had learned Chu Gar all his life, was sent to Lau Soei to learn Chow Gar. At a Demonstration a reporter asked Chu's son what style of kung fu he did and he replied 'Chu Gar'. Then the reporter asked him 'Who is your master?' and because at the time he was training under Lau Soei he said Lau Soei was his master, the reporter misunderstood and thought Lau Soei taught Chu Gar. This is the story told by grandmaster Ng Si Kay, Son in law of Ip Shui, who has been the records keeper of Ip Shui's School for approximately 50 Years and is the current head of the Chow Gar Mantis Association in Hong Kong.
Current students of Chuka are related to the students of Si Tai Gung Sammy Wong. Those students, Sigungs Tony Blum Jr, Eddie Chin and Manuel Rodriguez continue the tradition of his school. Sigung Tony Blum Jr. took over teaching of the System in 1995 in the Chicagoland area as appointed by Si Tai Gung Sammy Wong. He was then turned over the legacy and heritage in the United States by Si Tai Gung Sammy Wong before his passing in 2007. Sigung Manuel Rodriguez also continues teaching in Ventura, California area. Chuka can be found in China and the United States.
Kwong Sai Jook Lum[edit]
According to oral traditions, the Kwong Sai Jook Lum (江西竹林) style traces its origins to the temple Jook Lum Gee (竹林寺; Bamboo Forest Temple), Wu Tai Shan (五台山) in Shanxi province and on Mt. Longhu (龍虎山) in Jiangxi (江西) province. The monk Som Dot (三達祖師), created this new martial art system in the late 18th to early 19th century. He passed the art on to Lee Kun Ching (李官清), later known as Lee Siem See (李禪師); a name that can be translated as 'Zen master Lee'). Lee Siem See would travel to Southern China and spread the art amongst the general population. In Guangdong, his student, Cheung Yiu Chung (張耀宗), would later return with him to Kwong Sai (Jiangxi) Province to complete his training at Jook Lum Gee.
In 1919, Cheung returned to reside in Wei Yang Xian (Wei Yang County) Dan Shui in Guangdong Province. During the winter of 1929, Cheung opened his first martial arts school and a traditional Chinese medicine clinic in Bao'an County in Píngshān (坪山) Town and continued to promote the Jook Lum system. Wong Yook-Kong (黃(公)毓光), Lum Wing-Fay (林榮輝; 1910–1992; also known as Lum Sang, 林生; Lum Sang can be translated as Mr. Lum) and Lee Wing Sing (李腎勝) are some of his students from that period.
Lee Wing Sing (李腎勝) originally trained in Chu Gar before becoming a student of Cheung Yiu Chung. He then continued his training at the Jook Lum Gee, learning a variant of Bamboo Forest Temple Praying Mantis that was somewhat different from (although related to) the art he learned under Cheung Yiu Chung. The lineage of Lee Wing Sing is continued by his family and disciples in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Cheung eventually moved to Hong Kong. He opened a martial arts studio and became the head teacher to the Hong Kong Hakka ship and dock workers union. The classes in Hong Kong was taught by Wong Yook-Kong[12] and this school still exists today.[13] Wong Yook-Kong was described as a large man and in training he placed great emphasis on strength and physical conditioning before moving onto the more internal aspects of the style. One of his favorite training method was to practise with 30 to 60 LB iron rings on his wrist while he perform his forms. As a result, his students also emphasize those aspects in their training. The lineage of Wong Yook Kong is continued by his two sons: Wong Yiu Hung (黃耀雄) and Wong Yiu Hwa (黃耀華) and other students such as Lee Kwok Leung, (李國良)[14] and Sifu John Koo[15] of Portland, Oregon, a Disciple of both Wong Yook-Kong and Lee Wing Sing.
In the 1920s Lum Sang, one of the youngest of Cheung's students in Hong Kong, was fortunate enough to meet and study with Lee Siem See during one of Lee Siem See's trips to Hong Kong to establish a Buddhist temple (Chuk Lam Sim Yuen).[16] Lum studied and traveled with Lee for the next seven years. In the 1930s, Lum returned to Hong Kong and opened a Kwong Sai Jook Lum Temple Tong Long Pai school in Kowloon.[12] Lum Wing Fay was described as being small in stature, being only 5'2' and 120 lbs. In practise, he placed emphasis on softness and redirection and his students continue to display those traits. In 1942, Lum Sang emigrated to the United States and settled in the Chinatown of New York City. He started teaching in Chinatown's Hakka Association, the New York Hip Sing Tong at Pell Street. In the late 1950s, he taught at Free Mason [sic] Association Athletic Club, also known as Hung Ching. By 1963, his Kwong-Sai Jook Lum Gee Tong Long Pai was one of the largest kung fu schools. In 1969, Lam Sang retired from teaching and migrated to Taiwan. Lam Sang died in 1991. His students such as Chin Ho Doon, Harry Sun, Wong Buk Lam, Gin Foon-Mark (麥振寬),[17] Henry Poo Yee(余冠溥) [12] and Louie Jack Man[18] would establish themselves as teachers after Lum Sang retired. All of these men have promoted this art in the United States and around the world.
After Lam Sang's passing, his teaching position at the Hung Ching school in New York was occupied by a number of his successors over the years. Over the last decade, actively instructing the art there was late sifu James Cama (grand-student of Lam Sang through Robert Lee).
Iron Ox[edit]
![Forms Forms](/uploads/1/2/5/5/125515648/541976046.jpg)
The Iron Ox (鐵牛) branch was renamed so by students of Iron Ox Choi (Choi Dit-Ngau; 蔡鐵牛) in honour of their teacher. He earned the nickname for his strength and ability to withstand his opponent's strikes. He was also known to have taken part in the Boxer Rebellion (1900) fighting against the Ching government to restore the Ming government. The founder of this system is said to be Hung Mei (Red Eyebrow) and origins of this system is said to be from Er Mei mountain.
Ho Kung Wah introduced the style to the United Kingdom in the 1960s.[19] Most practitioners of this branch of Southern Praying Mantis are found in Southern China but there are now promoters of this lineage in Europe as well.[20]
K. S. Hsiung Thong Long Quet Tsot[edit]
Thong Long 'Praying Mantis'(Quet Tsot) 'country style' (Chinese: 螳螂國術) is a Southern Praying Mantis style that was taught in the city of Kolkata, India. Originating in the Moi-yan (Chinese: 梅縣; pinyin: Méixiàn), northeast Guangdong, China, the system was taught initially by Chen Kiu exclusively to the Hakka community in a school named Pei Moi Tangra Chinese School at Tangra, Kolkata Chinatown. Chen passed the lineage on to Sifu Hsiung Khan Seong (1917-2000) who, in his broad-mindedness, opened the style for the non-Chinese in the year 1975. He taught at Tangra, Calcutta, from the 50's till his death in the year 2000. The system is carried forward by the students and grand students of Hsiung.
Characteristics and Training[edit]
Like other Southern Chinese martial arts, Southern Praying Mantis is characterized by a strong stance, powerful waist and fast, heavy forearms and quick hand movements. The essences of the style is captured in various poetry and mnemonic aids.[21]
Training includes a variety of solo forms, pair practise, and weapon practise. The name and type of form will vary between branches. In Circular Tong Long (a version of Chow Gar Tong Long under the direction of Henry Sue in Australia), the form structures are as follows:
- Sarm Bo Gin
- Sarm Bo Yil Sou
- Sarm kung Bic Kuiel
- Sarm Bo Pai Tarn
- Tong Long Bow Sim Sou
- Tong Long Won Sou
- Tong Long Um Ging Sou
- Darn Sey Moon Gang Ging
- Tong Long Bic Sarn Gung
- Sarm Bo Gin Dai Ei Doon
- Sarm Bo Gang Tarn Ging
Kwong Sai Jook Lum by Gin Foon Marks Kung Fu Association excerpt of curriculum:
- sarm bo gin
- two man breakdown sarm bo gin
- eighteen points and breakdown
- seven stars and breakdown
- five stars and breakdown
- poison snake staff
Sarm Bo Gin is considered one of the most important forms of the southern mantis system. It is a hard chi gung form and is usually the first to be learned. It strengthens the body, aiding its resistance to physical blows, and also develops power. The form should be done everyday, preferably early morning.
K. S. Hsiung Thong Long Quet Tsot have the forms: Kiu Bo Chen or 9 Step Arrow as the First Seed Form, Pai Sith, Sine Su and Fa-Khian as training Forms.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhyLY1-1RSQ.
Notes[edit]
Chinese | Pinyin | Cantonese Yale | Hagfa Pinyim | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
^ Sarm Bo Jin | 三步箭 | Sān Bù Jiàn | Saam1 Bou6 Jin3 | Sam1 Pu5 Zien5 | literally 'Three Step Arrow' |
^ Jook Lum Gee | 竹林寺 | Zhú Lín Sì | Juk1 Lam4 Ji6 | Zuk7 Lim2 Sii5 | literally 'Bamboo Forest Temple' |
^ Kwong Sai | 江西 | Jiāngxī | Gong1 sai1 | Gong1 si1 | Jiangxi (江西; Cantonese Yale: Gongsai), not Guangxi (廣西, Cantonese Yale: Gwongsai) |
Media[edit]
Film[edit]
Lo Mang of the famed Venom Mob is an expert in Chu Gar Southern Praying Mantis, having studied the martial art for over 13 years before starting an acting career. He shows off his style, complete with a long training sequence, in the Shaw Brothers movie Invincible Shaolin (1978).
Animated series[edit]
The character Toph Beifong from Avatar: The Last Airbender uses a unique style of earthbending, based on the Chu Gar style Southern Praying Mantis. More contemporary earthbending is instead based on the Hung Ga style.
Quick Kick (G.I. Joe)[edit]
The character Quick Kick from the Toy Line, Comic Books, and Cartoons of G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero is said to have Southern Praying Mantis in his martial arts background. No particular branch of Southern Praying Mantis is identified in his file so theoretically any South Mantis family can claim him.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^http://www.mantiskungfu.com/praying_mantis_kung_fu_complete_system.phpJon Funk, Praying mantis Kung fu: the complete system
- ^ abNg Si Kay. 'History of the style'. Chow Gar Mantis Association (International). Archived from the original on 2009-10-25. Retrieved 2008-02-28.
- ^ abcGene Chen. 'Hakka Praying Mantis Chugar Gao: The Real Southern Mantis Boxing'. Kung fu megazine. Martial Arts of China vol. 2 pp.18. Retrieved 2008-02-25.
- ^Li Tien-Lai. 'Dongjiang Chaujia Preying Mantis'. University of Hong Kong - Chinese Martial Arts Club. Retrieved 2008-02-29.
- ^Leong, Cheong Cheng; Draeger, Donn F. (1998). Phoenix-eye fist. New York: Weatherhill Publishers. ISBN978-0-8348-0127-1. OCLC3002333.
- ^Roger D. Hagood (19??). 'Abridged History of Southern Praying Mantis'. Bamboo Temple Chinese Benevolent Association. Archived from the original on 2007-11-09. Retrieved 2008-03-07.Check date values in:
|date=
(help) - ^Fernando Blanco (19??). 'Southern Praying Mantis System'. Siberian Association of Traditional Martial Arts (SABTI). Retrieved 2007-12-20.Check date values in:
|date=
(help) - ^'Hong Kong Martial Arts Masters (香港武林名師)'. Hong Kong Wushu & Art Service Centre. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
- ^'Abridged History of Southern Praying Mantis'. Chow Gar Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu (UK). 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- ^'Chow's Family Praying Mantis Kung Fu Association'. Archived from the original on 2012-12-31. Retrieved 2010-04-09.
- ^'Chow Gar Tong Long, Brisbane, Australia'. 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-20.
- ^ abcHenry Lee & Harry A. White (1992). 'Secrets of Southern Praying Mantis - Henry Poo Yee's story'. Kung fu magazine. Retrieved 2008-02-26.
- ^Lee Kwok Leung (20??). 'History of Kwong Sai Bamboo'. Kwong Sai Bamboo Temple Praying Mantis Kung Fu Association. Retrieved 2008-04-22.Check date values in:
|date=
(help) - ^Lee Kwok Leung (20??). 'Brief Family Tree and Lineage of Kwong Sai Bamboo(Jook Lum) Temple Praying Mantis under Wong Yuk Gong'. Kwong Sai Bamboo Temple Praying Mantis Kung Fu Association. Retrieved 2008-08-29.Check date values in:
|date=
(help) - ^John Kam Shing Koo (2005). 'Biography'. Chinesefistology.com. Chinese Fistology. Archived from the original on April 22, 2014. Retrieved 2013-04-15.
- ^'Chuk Lam Sim Yuen (Bamboo forest monastery)'. eventseeker.
- ^Marty Eisen (19??). 'Mark and Jook Lum Praying Mantis'. Kung fu magazine. Retrieved 2008-02-26.Check date values in:
|date=
(help) - ^Louie Jack Man (19??). 'Louie Jack Man : Jook Lum Southern Mantis Kung Fu'. Louie Jack Man's School in Philadelphia. Retrieved 2008-08-13.Check date values in:
|date=
(help) - ^Barrios-Muras, Eduardo (2000-07-31). Iron-ox Praying Mantis Boxing: The Seeds, Chi and Boxing Forms. Muras Publications. ISBN0-9538632-0-4.
- ^'Iron Ox Praying Mantis International Martial Arts Federation'. Dit Ngau Hakka Tong Long Pai UK. Retrieved 2008-03-21.
- ^Ottawa Chinese Martial Arts Association (2005). 'Other Styles > Southern Praying Mantis'. Ottawa Chinese Martial Arts Association. Archived from the original on 2007-11-13. Retrieved 2008-03-14.
External links[edit]
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