First, be advised that all of these VCD's are IN CHINESE ONLY. In our opinion that doesn't matter much because the instruction is clear and the quality of photography very good. But we will not accept returns just because people didn't read... IN CHINESE ONLY. Given that, these are really tremendous deals for the money. Each of these special VCD's can be played on a computer for full enjoyment. Made for PC's they are also Mac compatible by downloading Quick time (for free) and any similar VCD player program. Also playable on most DVD players. For less than $10.00? Wow!
Crane Boxing (including White Crane)
For such an influential group of styles (especially considering its contribution to classical Karate) Crane Boxing (including White Crane) is definitely underrepresented in readily available martial information.
Nonetheless, we have assembled various material on this great arm of the boxing world. Here are a few threads...
FuKien
White Crane Boxing General Information
Shaolin White Crane Boxing Text (recommended)
Yang
Jwing Ming's White Crane Boxing book
FuJian
White Crane Classified (Chinese)
Boxed
set of FuJian White Crane rare books (Chinese)
Hungry
Crane Boxing (Chinese)
In this particular series (the first five disks) all are performed by Li Xue Zheng demonstrating. Though not a seasoned practitioner, he shows traditional and competent versions of the style. Also they all have Five Elements practice methods showing the Metal, Fire, Wood, Earth and Water hands of the style (the same section is repeated on each disk).
VCD#1591 Southern
Shaolin Shaking Crane
About an hour VCD pricing, CHINESE/ENGLISH (very basic)
One of the "soft" energies of Crane is tun jing or shaking power. This disk shows a competent demonstration of Shaking Crane with its signature energy. Most of the form is shown in side view. This form is basically set up on the "10" or Four Gates pattern. No kicks. It is said to be from Fang Hui Shi (Shi Pei) of the Qing dynasty. It models itself after the actions of a crane getting wet and shaking itself off.
Five Elements Fists and Applications from the form shown.
VCD#1592 Southern
Shaolin Eating Crane
About an hour VCD pricing, CHINESE/ENGLISH (very basic)
A pecking, foraging crane is the inspiration for this set. This series centers around a special middle level series of very fast hand motions. Since the crane is "eating" there are drawing and pullng movements.
Five Elements Fists and Applications from the form shown.
VCD#1593 Southern
Shaolin Singing Crane
About an hour VCD pricing, CHINESE/ENGLISH (very basic)
This imitates the actions of the singing crane: showing the special warbling of the bird. Crane incorporates the five elements, dancing hands, this form is a little fiercer than that of, say, Shaking Crane.
Five Elements Fists and Applications from the form shown.
VCD#1594 Southern
Shaolin Flying Crane
About an hour VCD pricing, CHINESE/ENGLISH (very basic)
Spreading its wings, flying, hopping and other actions inspired this form of the Crane Boxing. Double smother arms, flapping motions, wide sweep blocks, separated handd actions all highlight this more beautiful form.
VCD#1595 Southern
Shaolin White Crane
About an hour VCD pricing, CHINESE/ENGLISH (very basic)
This famous style was created by Miss Fang Qi Niang. The White Crane shows a large variety of techniques including finger strikes, kicking, elbows, broom kicks and more. The most dramatic of the series we also sense that if people find flaws in the presentation it will be for this disk which appears to have veered a little from the traditional..
VCD#1195
Southern
Shaolin Crane Boxing
A
Triple VCD VCD pricing, CHINESE only
The style shown here comes under the heading of Ming He or Crying Crane. The particular set is Eight Linked Steps. The movements have the distinctive flair and snap of the system with relatively open stances and a very characteristic hopping motion. Some two person work is shown to indicate, rather than explicate, applications. Demonstrated by 7th rank Ruan Song. Starting with the correct posture he demonstrates the set with breakdowns then, on the third VCD, talks for a long time on the theory of Crane fighting. The only drawbacks are that Shihfu is not young and the third section he does without an assistant. However he uses a helper for the forms breakdown. A Triple VCD.
