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 Quicktime (for free) and any similar VCD player program. Also playable on most DVD players. For less than $10.00? Wow! |
Mei Shan (Plum Mountain) Boxing This is a style we have heard little about (so far). It seems a blend of Southern Shaolin style Kung Fu similar to Hung and, as a bit of a surprise, some Bagua - though that is kept separate from the core style. Training is hard and creates physical strength. The movements are based on Tiger Boxing with some Mei Shan variations of famous forms like Gung Ji and Da Hong. Also unusual Southern weapons such as the Sai and the Trident. Overall a very interesting style with hard Chi Kung and strong, clear forms. Click pictures |
VCD#1571 Mei Shan Training |
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Here's a surprise, a perfectly valid and interesting version of the 8 palm changes in this ostensibly southern style. Actually this is called Taiji Bagua inside the VCD and indeed has some elements of both along with a very soft version of some key Mei Shan movements. This is a rather nice set and mixed Bagua motions. Surprisingly true to the style's essence and very different from most other styles though possibly influenced by Jiang's famous New Form. Double VCD. |
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Here the student is the teacher and the main disciple of Mei Shan, a very powerful man, demonstrates their version of the Da Hong Boxing. It's definitely not the same as Shaolin Temple but quite interesting. It shows the characteristics of Mei Shan, a light body inclination, a cocked position at the shoulder rather than the hip more like a Western boxer and in this case the double block hands. When there is movement it is fast and then the pose is solid and still, giving this style its particular tempo and execution. |
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Da Hong is certainly not the standardized form see as the Shaolin set. This is a powerful, clean version of a famous set showing the Shaolin connection in Mei Shan style. |
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A classic southern boxing staff. It's shape inspires the designation of "Snake's Head" staff (one end thick, one thin). The poses are powerful, the movements controlled and strong. Most of the performance is yin/yin or both palms down holding position. Additional forms like the double sais, the double hacking sabers and Tiger boxing are previewed. |
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The shape of the Mei Shan saber is very different from the standard. Thicker with less taper, and wider body it is definitely a hacking weapon. The set demonstrated is mostly like a standard saber with some moves peculiar to this weapon. Generally speaking this would require a little more strength and wrist control than most saber usage especially since there is less stress on "wrapping" the weapon along the body. |
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Though we now know that Okinawan Karate was highly influenced by Southern Style Kung Fu there are few examples more convincing that the Sais. And this is probably the most involved and complex Sai set we have ever seen. Solid movements but a wide range of variations. Even a few jump kicks and some slamming the weapons together in a way we've never seen. If you like or are interested in the weapon, this is a good one. |
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A true Southern style bench form and not a bad one. Mostly thrusting and sweeping moves with very little of the extraneous movements you sometimes see. Very learnable. Good actions and a reasonable area for performance. Bench forms are like being in one of those wonderful restaurant fights that was a staple of Kung Fu cinema for so many years. |
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A fast and interesting set with the Mei Shan weapons of the hacking sabers. Many of the movements are of course applicable to normal double sabers but some are more specialized to these weapons. This is one of the most energetic of the Mei Shan forms and it even has come jumping kicks. Fast sections and then poses. A clean, well lighted set. |
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This weapon is more common among Southern Chinese due to the "guest city" status of the English held area. How important was the Opium trade. Recent research estimates that 70 % of the Victorian era was financed by the great circle of England to India to China with the opium trade as a necessary cornerstone of the circle. This form, we suspect, has been at least partially "contemporized" with some fancy kick and jumps. The rest is fast and interesting with the occasional pose where the student player actually stops and puffs on the long pipe stem. |
To see a Southern Boxer performing a double straight sword is not an every day thing. Art is second here to strong movements. This is definitely not a tournament performance. It is too organic with little emphasis on rolling the swords and all emphasis on coordinated double movements especially where the two hands do slightly different actions. The Trident is also called the Rake. This is an unusual and rare version. One of the classic requirements with the trident is that it rattle constantly (to scare the tigers, don't you know) so the middle tine has a metal ring attached. The second requirement is that the prong spin most of the time. This is accomplished by a series of moves that are almost juggling spinning the trident around behind the back, off the forearms, down the full front of the body and more. A fascinating folk weapon done in traditional style with power and grace. |
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A famous Southern partner set: the bench against the staff. A lively, clean and fast set with some near acrobatic movements but mostly solid striking and blocking. The bench is actually a kind of wonderful weapon to watch and can be quite convincing in the proper hands. The form is shown first and then the instructor steps in to explain each action and counter. At the end other forms of the system are previewed. |
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