Kung Fu: the fundamentals
Every one will tell you that the basics are important. They are, but not just for the principles of character and endurance. The basics of Kung Fu, all too often overlooked, are more than building blocks. Developed quite late in the history they are the method by which the student is turned into a Kung Fu artist. They are the marrow of the enterprise.
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NEW! KL018 Life is too Short for Bad Kung Fu
by Adam Hsu
332 Pages, softbound, English language
Illustrated with photographs, including Sifu Hsu demonstrating Goose Feather Saber
Regular price: $38.95, Plum Price $34.95
Over its 5000 year history, Kung Fu as an art has met adversity.For instance, 250 years ago it exited the battlefield due to the introduction of “hot” weapons, and in doing so, it retreated from its core purpose. Its shift into civilian life meant that historically brilliant strategies scaled for war morphed into self-defense techniques for individuals; the renowned stamina of soldiers, which required daily regimens for strength training, transformed into individual concerns of health and longevity. Its examination became the work of scholars instead of generals.
Even so, Kung Fu thrived, experiencing intermittent periods of sophisticated growth and attention. Teachers taught—great, and otherwise; students trained—both frivolously and seriously; styles developed; Kung Fu’s myths and legends expanded. Expertise travelled outside of China—mostly through the hands of laborers and cooks who scattered to every country—but also to those foreigners who visited and took up with teachers practicing in their own dusty courtyards. People without previous experience picked up weapons—once battlefield tested, now used for training and entertainment—to carry Kung Fu forward. Information was both shared and withheld. Knowledge was gained, and also lost.
Today, Kung Fu suffers another existential challenge—this one potentially fatal. The combination of new wealth and advanced technology threatens to supplant the traditional power that comes from touching hands. Simply said, as daily existence grows easier, the ability to focus and sustain authentic practice becomes harder.
In this book, world-renowned martial arts teacher and writer Adam Hsu, proclaims his expert reckonings on the state of Kung Fu. For over six decades, he has acted as one of Kung Fu’s greatest proponents and contributors, as well as one of its greatest critics. In “Life Is Too Short For Bad Kung Fu”—his first Englishtext in more than 10 years—Hsu Sifu employs aphorisms, boldly and honestly evaluating Wushu's perilous path toward its questionable future. He focuses on current-day training, teaching and practice, offering harsh criticism as well as genuine solutions. He never swerves from the foundational, millennial idea of basics as Kung Fu’s true power. He is not shy about reiterating their importance, nor about the ways they are disappearing from the traditional curriculum. Like a doctor watching a patient slip away, he is neither calm nor sentimental in his many attempts to keep Kung Fu alive.
There are those whose excitement will lead them to sit down and read this book cover to cover. To our mind, it is better appreciated in small and measured draughts—there is so much to consider—both inspirations and warnings—and the aphorism format is perfect for separating each idea into thoughtful portions.
New! KP035 A Pearl from the Dragon's Neck
Secret Revival Methods and Vital Points...
Regular price $28.95, Plum price $26.00 English, 302 pages, drawings and photosA Pearl From The Dragon's Neck is dedicated to “hit medicine,” a useful and some might say essential branch of Chinese martial arts.
Tom Bisio's book concentrates on subjects to cure diseases, to speed healing of injuries, to maintenance of health. What distinguishes “hit medicine” is its attachment to martial injuries and cures, and there is good historical indication that this medical branch predated (as a matter of fact, contributed to) the later more sophisticated systems of Chinese medicine. The text offers instruction on how to locate and stimulate points and channels, then apply that knowledge to classical structures such as revivial points, San Cai points, Five Intersections, 12 Miraculous Points, etc.
As Bisio writes, "Although A Pearl from the Dragon's Neck has a sequential structure, one can pick up the book and begin almost anywhere. You can literally page through the book, find something that catches your interest and begin there."
"Revival methods are very important, not only in martial arts settings, but also in the context of sports, and first aid situations in daily life. Revival methods do not just restore consciousness. They are also reactivate the internal Qi Dynamic, and immediately begin undoing the damage that begins to accrue immediately following a blow to a vital point during an acute event like a stroke or heart attack."
New ! KP034 Principle-Driven Skill Development
by Russ Smith
$39.95, PLUM price $34.95
250+ pages, illustrations and photographs
Here’s what we have: a book that explores the principles behind most martial training. This is the spine of the art. Russ Smith demonstrates techniques organized by principle families rather than as catalogues of individual movements which pop up randomly in the forms.This book can be an “instructor’s manual” for just about any martial art. In fact, Smith’s opening remarks center on the teacher’s responsibilities. Beyond that, he has made a Herculean attempt to formulate and categorize the key principles of martial application.
Traditional forms get some of their appeal from similar movements scattered through the routines showcasing variations and artistic placement. Smith takes the organization of traditional artistry a step further: cross-referencing these martial movements with related principles.
Smith presents everything from a simple high (upward) block against a punch—and its bucketful of variations—to principles like penetrating the Gates. For example, the high block transforming to a dropping elbow allows student and teacher to isolate and refine good groups of movements, interrelating them for effective usage.
Many teachers might show the versatility and immediacy of high block to elbow, or arm wrap, or cross block, or hook strike without explaining how such fluidity is discovered. Smith, however, demonstrates that the forms themselves—families of movement—completely validate these groupings.
Examples cover and interlock all sorts of concepts. There is a section on timing, tools (xing), power (gong), methods and more. His applications make you nod in agreement. His techniques could keep you in lesson plans for uncountable hours.
On the other hand, Smith has avoided that lamentable offense where some crucial text or picture—generally information covering an essential point—has somehow washed to sea, leaving you in a Karate Kid crane stance while watching low tide.
KE018 Essence of Lien Bu Chuan
Continuous Steps Form
Regular price $29.95, Plum price $27.95 English, 143 pages, drawingsAt last, a book on the Continuous Stepping Fist.
This first form of the Northern Shaolin system is also called “The Dragon Fist.” The more common name is Lien Bu Chuan (or Lien Bu Quan in pinyin) which means Linked or Continuous (Lien) Stepping (Bu) Boxing or Fist (Chuan).
This form has enjoyed a large recognition among Chinese martial artists. It lives up to its name by very clearly coordinating steps with hand actions. Though the kicking is minimal, the stepping and stance work is strongly emphasized.
In this book, all illustrations are done with a loose, sketchy rendering that shows lots of repeats at the top of the page. The names of all movements are given with variations on the basic form. There is also a very clever system of notation, direction and description that may deepen the technique of learning the form.
Lien Bu is a good “walking form,” much like another famous basics form, 24 Beats. It is one of the easiest ways to get the foundational learning so important to the acquisition of the style. This presentation has a ton of detailed information which initially, for beginners, might be a little too much. The best way to approach it would be to learn the basic footwork directions along with the simplest hand movements. Then go back and absorb the detailed notes.
I was taught at least two versions of the Lien Bu—one from Northern Shaolin (very close to the book version,) and one from Tai Mantis. Though there were variations, the structure of Lien Bu pretty much remains intact whatever the version.
Probably the only criticism I have ever heard or entertained about this form—having taught LBQ for over twenty-five years—is that, being a basics form, there few movements—such as a single punch, a simple snap kick or a solitary block—that are what you would call basics. I believe this comes from the attempt to coordinate different hands and legs on every step. The real and important “basic” thing about Lien Bu Quan is the marriage of stepping and striking with timing. That is why it has become the fundamental set for the Northern Shaolin system.
KT056 Tan Tui: Gateway to Kung Fu
by Jason Tsou and Arthur Schonfeld
$49.95, 200+ pages, DVD includedThis package, book and DVD, on the subject matter of the famous Tan Tui Ten Road Spring Leg Form is subtitled “Gateway to Kung Fu.” This is meant to catch your attention. Throughout Kung Fu history no other form has single-handedly supported this claim to a greater degree than Tan Tui. In the world of Long Fist, Tan Tui has proved an excellent training form. It’s funny, the form is awkward to learn, relatively uninteresting to watch and not tremendously combat oriented; yet it proves itself invaluable. The reason for this is found in this text.
Not only is the information about Tan Tui interesting, the accompanying pages do what few other martial instructional books do: they give a thorough rendition of many important principles guiding authentic Chinese martial practice. Understand, the information here is not only the combined knowledge and presentation by Tsou and Schonfeld, but includes observations by Adam Hsu, Tsou’s teacher, and Liu Yun Chiao, his grand teacher. In fact, the only problem in the book is that the information in the introduction is so rich and comes at you so fast it should be broken up into smaller sub-headings. Otherwise you might very well skip important concepts and not even notice them.
This package contains:
- spiral-bound instructional booklet
- DVD demonstrating the form, exercises, breathing and more
- different methods to practice the same form,
- combat applications that are not necessarily visible at first glance
- general theories about Long Fist
- qi and jin training
- variations on the form
We at Plum have found that, over all, this mix—bulk of information on the written page and the DVD acting as the repeatable reference— is just about perfect.
A final word: The truth is that there is a lot of hazy instruction in the CMA field. A book like this is refreshing and of importance because it clearly elucidates broader Kung Fu principles than just an instruction book. Many Sifus are concerned about the decreasing level of understanding in the art and what we need the most right now are clearly stated goals and concepts.
The Tan Tui is a very clear form that was created with these major ideas in mind. This approach to Long Fist training also has the benefit of saving you hours, weeks and months of aimless practice when you should be building a firm foundation for your Kung Fu career.
K#001 10 Routine Spring Leg
Shih Lu Tan Tui
Ma Zhen Bang
$15.95, 147 pages,
In case you haven't noticed, we like the Tan Tui (Spring Leg) form. It is so traditional and authentic and sometimes grueling that even in China it's starting to disappear. But there are a lot of reasons to retain this respected form. First it's honest. There's an old saying, "If your Tan Tui is good then your Kung Fu is good". It's not for nothing that it was selected as the cornerstone of the Ching Wu organization. Tan Tui is pretty hard to fake. Not only is it the foundation set for Cha Chuan (or Jiao Men as Muslim style can be called) but it is universally recognized as the one set that almost any Long Fist style can use as a foundational exercise. It opens the body, stretches the meridians and teaches proper posture.
Of all our Tan Tui books this one probably has the best form. The stances are deep, the moves a little over-stretched but the form is strong and definite. Really quite impressive lines in the practitioner pictured. As an added bonus, all in English and Chinese, en face.
KA019 Revised 2019 Edition!
Falk's Dictionary of Chinese Martial Arts—Chinese-English
(2019 Edition) by Andrea Falk
Chinese/English (Pinyin/Simplified Characters/English)3 editions (all contain same text):
Compact (6.139 x 9.21 inches, 50#paper, 552 pages), softbound, $40.00
Deluxe (7.4375 x 9.68 inches, 60#paper, 480 pages), softbound, $56.00
Hardcover (8.5 x 11 inches, 60#paper, 408 pages), hardbound, $80.00*Price Drop!Use code DictHC, in the shopping cart, for a 10% discount through October 31, 2019, on the hardcover edition
2019 Edition—"This Chinese-English Dictionary is massive, with countless words and phrases used by the internal and external martial arts of China to describe training, techniques, theory, forms, sparring, methods, wrestling and qinna. And words that always pop up when you are reading about martial arts, like TCM terms, anatomical terms, historical and literary names, dynasties – the list is endless. Most martial techniques and names cannot be found in a regular dictionary – and if the characters are there, they have a different meaning from that used in the martial arts. With three indices, ordered by the pinyin transliteration, radical index, and stroke order index, and a fair bit of cross referencing, you should be able to find what you need."
Dictionary displays pinyin terms, Chinese characters and English definitions.
Talk about a time saver. If you have ANY interest in a place to look up martial arts terms in Chinese (pinyin) to see the English meaning, this is that place. I estimate that Sifu Falk has translated more than 3500 terms from the Chinese. If you envision yourself decoding some neat old manual and getting up just once to look up each word here (and I guarantee you that you will get up a lot more than once a word) you will see what a bargain this is in time saved and hair left unpulled.
For instance, look up "Liu," which means "Willow Tree," and you not only get that but "Willow Leaf" (the hand formation,) and "Willow Leaf fist" from Southern Kung Fu, and "Willow Leaf palm" from Northern Kung Fu, plus the Chinese characters and a short description of how each hand formation is held.
KN003 Northern Shaolin 12 Tan Tui Boxing
(Spring Leg 12 Road)
by Chan Kin-Man & Hui Tin-Hing
$16.95, Chinese/English en face, 277 pages, softboundPrinted in Hong Kong this neat little book is EN FACE, that is, both Chinese and English versions are represented. Not only a nice set with clear illustrations but a good book for those wanting to improve their martial translation skills.
This is a 12-Road version of Tan Tui (Spring Leg) form. Certainly a key training form of Kung Fu, Tan Tui was one of the first forms agreed on by many teachers to be "adaptable" to almost any Kung Fu style. Specializing in extended limbs, low stances, solid foundation and definitive actions; Tan Tui is taught throughout the world in such famous venues as many Praying Mantis school, the Ching Wu Association and as a basis of Northern Shaolin. Many applications given.
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KT024 Tan Tui & GongLi Quan:
10 Fundamental ChinWoo routines
by Lam Wing Kit & Ying FunFong
$15.95, 150 pages, softbound, small but excellent photographs, English/Chinese
This series of compact little books is quite well done. The paper quality and photography are outstanding. We have no idea why they were printed in such a small format but they are done with a professional touch. Each book gives two forms from the original ten JinWu (ChinWoo) Association mandatory ten forms. This first one starts with Tan Tui, a form famous for giving the right "structure" to students. This is followed by GongLi Quan, for "flowing strength" as the name implies. GongLi is an excellent form and has been used as a substitute foundational exercise in place of Tan Tui in some studios. Some history on the development of the ChinWoo is also given. The entire book is En Face in both traditional characters and English.
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KT025 DaZhanQuan & Jie Quan:
10 Fundamental ChinWoo routines
by Lam Wing Kit & Ying FunFong
$15.95, 150 pages, softbound, small but excellent photographs, English/Chinese
This series of compact little books is quite well done. The paper quality and photography are outstanding. We have no idea why they were printed in such a small format but they are done with a professional touch. Each book gives two forms from the original ten JinWu (ChinWoo) Association mandatory ten forms. This second book begins with the Big Wheel, one of the famous five "Zhan" forms such as ShiZiZhan. This is followed by DaZhanQuan. Some history on the development of the JinWu is also given. The entire book is En Face in both traditional characters and English.
KT028 Partner Tan Tui #1:
10 Fundamental ChinWoo routines
by Lam Wing Kit & Ying FunFong
$16.95 , 150 pages, softbound, small but excellent photographs, English/Chinese
OUT OF STOCK!
Please place
me on your
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for this item.JieTanTuiShangLiuLu: This series of compact little books is quite well done. The paper quality and photography are outstanding. We have no idea why they were printed in such a small format but they are done with a professional touch. Each book gives two forms from the original ten JinWu (ChinWoo) Association mandatory ten forms. This third book starts the Tan Tui two person set. This is the ChinWoo version of the Tan Tui with practice for partners. Of all two person versions of Tan Tui this is without a doubt the most famous. Because of the extensive details this form is covered in two volumes in this series. This is volume #1 of the full twelve road version.
KT026 Partner Tan Tui #2:
10 Fundamental ChinWoo routines
by Lam Wing Kit & Ying FunFong
$16.95, 150 pages, softbound, small but excellent photographs, English/Chinese
OUT OF STOCK!
Please place
me on your
WANT LIST
for this item.JieTanTuiXiaLiuLu:This series of compact little books is quite well done. The paper quality and photography are outstanding. We have no idea why they were printed in such a small format but they are done with a professional touch. Each book gives two forms from the original ten JinWu (ChinWoo) Association mandatory ten forms.. This fourth continues the Tan Tui two person set.This is the ChinWoo version of the Tan Tui with practice for partners. Of all two person versions of Tan Tui this is without a doubt the most famous. Because of the extensive details this form is covered in two volumes in this series. This is volume #2 of the full twelve road version.
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#KT027 ChinWoo Weapons :
10 Fundamental ChinWoo routines
by Lam Wing Kit & Ying FunFong
$15.95, 150 pages, softbound, small but excellent photographs, English/Chinese
OUT OF STOCK!
Please place
me on your
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for this item.BaguaDao, WuHuQiang,HuPuChunYangGun: This series of compact little books is quite well done. The paper quality and photography are outstanding. We have no idea why they were printed in such a small format but they are done with a professional touch. Each book gives two forms from the original ten JinWu (ChinWoo) Association mandatory ten forms. This is the fifth book, and it is devoted to weapons. The series of forms developed into a curriculum by ChinWoo started a new phase in modern Chinese martial arts teaching. Most of the core curriculum was developed for hand and leg practice but here is the weapons section of the program. In this slim volume we have the ChinWoo versions of three weapons: Bagua Dao (Eight Direction Saber), and HuPu ChunYang gun ( Pure Yang Staff) and Wu Hu Qiang (Five Tiger Spear). The latter is demonstrated by Mr. Chiu Chi Lin of Hebei.
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#KT052 ChinWoo Paired Weapons :
10 Fundamental ChinWoo routines
by Lam Wing Kit & Ying FunFong
$15.95, 150 pages, softbound, small but excellent photographs, English/Chinese
OUT OF STOCK!
Please place
me on your
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for this item.BaguaDao, WuHuQiang,HuPuChunYangGun: This series of compact little books is quite well done. The paper quality and photography are outstanding. We have no idea why they were printed in such a small format but they are done with a professional touch. Each book gives two forms from the original ten JinWu (ChinWoo) Association mandatory ten forms. This is the sixth book, and it is shows a SABER vs. SPEAR form. The series of forms developed into a curriculum by ChinWoo started a new phase in modern Chinese martial arts teaching. Most of the core curriculum was developed for hand and leg practice but here is the partnered section of the program. In this volume we have the skills from the last books, from the Bagua Saber and The Five Tiger Spear, combined in a definitely advanced form. If you decide to add this to your repetoire then be sure to not start practice with a real spear head.
KB007 Basic Chinese Boxing
by Cai Yun
$10.95, 246 pages, softboundPrinted in Hong Kong this neat little book is EN FACE, that is, both Chinese and English versions are represented.
Not only a nice set with clear illustrations but a good book for those wanting to improve their martial translation skills. This book is indeed a set of basic forms: namely Tan Tui (12 road), Gung Li (Flowing Strength: a popular alternative form used by the ChinWoo School) and Short Strike a mix similar to Tan Tui. Definitely Long Fist with photographic cut out illustrations this is a straight forward, inexpensive rendition of fundamental sets.
KC003 Chang Quan Long Arm Boxing
compiled by Victor Wu
$15.95, English, 163 pages, softbound
OUT OF STOCK!
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for this item.This is a very inexpensive and clearly illustrated version of the basic compulsory routines of Long Fist accepted by the
People's Republic. The English is clear and the illustrations are heavy, strong and very direct. This shows three entire forms with progressive difficulty. This was one of the first books to lucidly explain these compulsories and , with changes in time and attitude, might be heading toward collectibility: especially with the approach of the Olympics.
KW002 Wah Lum Kung Fu's First Fist Form
Chan Pui
$19.95, 105 pages
Chan Pui is a well known teacher and practitioner of Long Fist Kung Fu. This nice little book is clearly illustrated
with some great limbering up exercises, basic fist and stance positions and, of course, the first fist set of his Wah Lum Kung Fu system. A neat little piece with Q & A on Kung Fu, pictures of Wooden Pole practice and lots of extras; this inexpensive edition is a nice addition to a basic Kung Fu library.
KK003 Kung Fu for Young People
by Ted Mancuso & Frank Hill
$12.95, 96 pages, softbound, illustrated
Still the most popular book for kids and parents interested in Kung Fu. Over thirty thousand copies sold. Profusely illustrated by nationally syndicated cartoonist Frank Hill. A fun introduction to the Martial Arts. Frank's illustrations are delightful with simple, bold lines and whimsical interpretation. Frank's work has long been associated with such great comic strips and books as Short Ribs, Bugs Bunny, Dennis the Menace and numerous other productions. A wonderful present for a "young at heart" beginning martial student.