DRUNKEN BOXING

As we've pointed out before there is no style of Kung Fu specifically known as "Drunken." The closest thing is called Eight Drunken Immortals. Drunkard's Boxing is actually more a stage in the training regimen of certain styles. It is used to "break the student out" of . However this form of deception is often over stated as the goal of drunken methods. These forms can be a lot of fun especially if supplemental to real Kung Fu drunken boxing. They can also be a form of expression that borders on mime. At one point even Contemporary WuShu judges wanted to restrict the performance of Drunken Boxing because they were seeing everyone staggering around like it was an epidemic. There's really a little more to it than swaying and rolling on the ground. Probably the best analogy we can make is to calligraphy. When someone is a good calligraphy, with a firm hand they can write in many other styles such as "running" or "Grass" where the essence is retained but the strokes are much wilder and more spontaneous. Drunken Boxing should have the same relationship to Kung Fu.
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#EDK95 Secrets of Drunken Boxing in the Eight Shadow Style
by Neil Ripski
English 114 pages, standard size, photographs
US $ 24.95

Said to be passed down through the Ma Family of Hunan this form of Drunkard's boxing traces its roots to the Shaolin Temple. It's never easy to find in-depth information on this style. But Sifu Ripski not only gives us a good martial background but he's added information on the even rarer Crippled (Beggar's?) Fist as well. Teacher Ripski takes us through the training he received, including back bends with weights on the body and other specialty exercises. His serious approach to the material corrects many misconceptions and mythological ideas; for instance, where people try for the affect of appearing drunken without the fighting potential. He also shows the Eight Shadows Drunken Fist Form. This is followed by applications demonstrating the flavor of the boxing form, a photographic section on drunken weapons and a long section on acupressure points with information on striking angle and effect. This is a labor of love showing deep respect for his teacher, Ma Qing Lung, and his style.
See DVDs on this style.

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#EDK97 Drunken Monkey
Boxing Form & Applications
by Leung Ting & Chiu Chung Yat
English 162 pages,
US $ 12.50

#EDK98 Zui Jiu Quan
A Drunkard's Boxing
by Cai Long-Yun & Shao Shan-King
English/Chinese 155 pages,
US $ 11.95

This is a nicely turned out text. Basically it is a well drawn and well translated version of a Contemporary WuShu Drunken Fist. Very clear instructions and beautiful line drawings make this form into a "learnable" one. Pure form, no applications. Introductory remarks give a good over view of the requirements and actions involved in this art which pretends a dunken player staggering around, rolling, lying on the ground etc.

#EDK99 The Drunkard Kung Fu
& its Applications
by Leung Ting & Chiu Chung Yat
English 161 pages,
US $ 16.50

Written by the famous Leung Ting, a student of Yip Man. This volume shows the form representing the Southern Eight Drunken Immortals boxing. Leung Ting rightly mentions in the introduction that there is no self contained Drunkend style but many styles have drunken forms within their style. This one is, according to him, the best of the Southern branch. Supposedly originating in the same Wu Tang area that birthed Tai Chi, the Drunkard's Boxing is learnable and fun. Also, not to skimp on usage the applications sections of this 161 page book starts on page 88.