Crandall Kung Fu translations

Kung Fu translations by Joseph Crandall

Joseph Crandall, translator, is a Ba Gua practitioner who has taken onto himself the heroic task of translating and making available many key works of WuShu. NOTE: Some of these are translations, bound workbook style, of Chinese texts, mostly illustrated with line drawings. As Crandall writes in his introduction; "I have been waiting for someone more qualified to come along and do a better job at these translations than I do. I know that there are many out there who could do it." What Crandall doesn't mention is the dedication and knowledge he has brought to the worthy fundamental project. Many of the translations of this page are from the works of Wong Han Fun, one of the most prolific writers in Kung Fu of the 20th century and an expert in Northern Mantis. In these cases he seems to have chosen from Mizong (same as Yan Qing) otherwise known as the Lost Track style, a huge branch of Kung Fu with many forms incorporated into the Northern Mantis regiment pretty much in tact.

For more translations by Joseph Crandall click: Baguazhang Texts and Xing Yi Texts

Praying Mantis Sabe Arts with Wong Han Fun

KCS006 Praying Mantis Saber Arts
by Wong Han Fun (Huang Han Xun trans. Joseph Crandall)

Wong was known as the "Mantis King." This is a Northern branch Praying Mantis version of two bladed weapons, the Yan Qing Saber (Lost Track Saber) and the Jun Da Dao (Military Big Saber). The first is composed of 55 movements and is relatively simple and straight forward with some elegant stances and combinations.
Important: This book incorporates and duplicates the text from EQS13.

Mizong Lost Track Kung Fu

KCS005 Xie Zhen Mizong Quan
by Jiang Rong Jiao( trans. Joseph Crandall)

This book speaks about the real Lost Track (aka. Yan Qing or Mizong Yi) style of Kung Fu. The Mizong is a big style with over a hundred forms, famous throughout Northern China. It is based on Shaolin but has unique features such as indeterminacy, softness, misdirection and other worthwhile arts. Jiang is famous for trying to re-enliven Chinese Martial Arts. His books are considered the beginning of "modern" martial writing in the field. This text addresses the background and theory of a favorite style of his, Mizong. Originating in Cang Zhou which is the birthplace of the best Mizong, Jiang was trying to preserve what he considered the true core of the system. He discusses the theory , gives some really interesting analogies, and critques—somewhat—the Huo Yun Jia branch of the family. He also demonstrates (not with the best photos ever) a key Mizong form. As a sometime practitioner of this art, we recommend it for the person not familiar with this important branch of Northern Kung Fu. No longer an easy book to get even in Chinese.

Shaolin Hong Boxing KCS002 Shaolin Hong Quan
by Wang Si Qian ( trans. Joseph Crandall)

Some students of martial history are claiming that Red Fist, Tai Tzu and Canon Boxing (Pao Chui) may be the group of forms from which Tai Chi was developed. The different Red Fists (Big and Small) are definitely considered basic and key forms of the Shaolin style. Both are translated in this text by Wang SiQian, student of Shi DeGen.

Yan Qing Quan Lost Track Kung Fu KCS001 Yan Qing Quan
Li Guo Zhi ( trans. Joseph Crandall)

Here translated we have a book by Li GuoZhi on the Lost Track style also known as Yen Qing.Dating from the Tang dynasty this art was transferred from Shaolin expert Lu ZhunYi to Yan Qing who developed it still further then took it to Liang Mountain while he hid there form government troops. The form shown is simply named Yan Qing Boxing and is representative one of the style.