Here is something wonderful. Daniel Mroz, an associate professor in the Theater Department of the University of Ottawa and also a longtime friend, correspondent and Plum customer presented a lecture at last year’s Martial Arts Studies Conference in Wales. The subject of his engaging talk is Tao Lu, the martial art routine we call set […]
Displaying posts written by
Plum Staff
who has written 701 posts for KaiMen.
Jun
14
2017
14
2017
Jun
12
2017
12
2017
George Xu Declares His System
In his typical forthright manner, George Xu has declared his own system of martial arts: “Ling Kong Shen Shi Men” (also the name of his new DVD set). The description of this concept is a little too sophisticated to try and squeeze into this post, but suffice it to say that this is a step […]
Jun
7
2017
7
2017
Liu Xiao Ling’s Presentation of Wu Tai Chi Sword
Pound for pound, Liu Xiao Ling is one of the most popular teachers on our site, especially considering the small number of DVDs he has produced from his wide range of styles and systems. The reasons are simple. His movements are accurate and simultaneously explicit. He contends himself with the “internal” arts such as Qigong, […]
May
26
2017
26
2017
Hung Gar Boxing: Clarity and Effectiveness
Here is another fine “workshop” session DVD from Sifu Don Hamby. This time his Hung style takes him to the topic of classical form and fighting. And he responds with sequences taken directly from Hung’s famous forms applied to unarmed combat. As is characteristic of the style, there are some powerful blows and even a […]
May
11
2017
11
2017
Iron Wire Fist Book Has Arrived
Finally. At last. The wait is over. Lam Chun Fai’s Iron Wire Fist book/DVD, Tid Sin Kuen, has JUST arrived. The 240 page book is bound in a heavy, textured paper wrapped cover, with both black-and-white and color interior pages. It also contains a bonus 9 minute DVD of Sifu Lam performing key movements from […]
May
5
2017
5
2017
Meditation’s Secret Treasure
Meditation’s Secret Treasure, by Steve Strasnick, is the story of someone who was not already indoctrinated with mystical assumptions, who did not bring a cosmology (at least, not a religious one) to the table. Yet, he found himself “Awakening to the Mystical World,” despite his feeling about himself that he was not “inclined” in that manner. […]
Apr
23
2017
23
2017
Plum & the 25th Anniversary Kung Fu Tai Chi Tournament
Join us for the Kung Fu Tai Chi 25th Anniversary Festival and tournament in San Jose on May 19-21. We don’t get out much—certainly not as much as we would like—but this year we are showing up to celebrate Tiger Claw’s Anniversary, by attending the festivities, including the Grandmaster’s demo on Friday night, the Saturday […]
Mar
28
2017
28
2017
Three New Chinese Texts
Three new books added to our Chinese language section, a couple accompanied by video resources. Today’s emphasis is on intestinal fortitude or, as some people say, “internal style.” Wang Pei Sheng’s Nei Gong Xin Fan Tai Ji Quan This book, compiled by one of Wang’s students, pictures Wang himself performing his movements with great precision. […]
Mar
25
2017
25
2017
Site Delight!
If you notice any funny warnings on our site over the next few days, pay no mind! We are upgrading our site security to even higher standards, tucking all pages under the security blanket (even those that do not need it, like sales pages). Plum has always taken security very seriously, and this will just […]
Mar
23
2017
23
2017
Special Kung Fu Training Equipment
Here’s another in our series of inexpensive, mobile, customized kung fu training equipment. Here’s the pic of the “training pole”. I use it for staff, sticky hands and punching through the rings, left low, right high and right low left high. It’s ABS 3″ pipe concreted into the bucket with a threaded connection (for removal) and […]
Mar
12
2017
12
2017
Mizong Jia: Shaolin Mizong Kung Fu style
Here’s a pop quiz (no cheating!) What style is the inspiration for the two films, “The Chinese Connection” (with Bruce Lee) and “Legend” (with Jet Lee)? Want a hint? This style is associated with Kung Fu Master Huo YuanJia, Head Instructor of the famous Ching Woo Association. Ok, so the title of this post gives […]
Mar
6
2017
6
2017
Feb
17
2017
17
2017
Feb
10
2017
10
2017
Jan
27
2017
27
2017
Jan
16
2017
16
2017
Dec
28
2016
28
2016
The Karate/Kung Fu Connection: Bubishi
Just arrived, TWO books: the premier translation of the martial-world famous Bubishi by Patrick McCarthy; AND more stock on the gorgeous hardcover edition of The General Tian Wubeizhi: The Bubishi in Chinese Martial Arts. The convergence of these two—the translation (Bubishi) and the commentary (General Tian’s Wubeizhi)—mirror the revelations contained in these two texts concerning […]
Dec
23
2016
23
2016
A Tale of Two Texts
So here’s how the story goes. It’s just a small anecdote about Bruce Lee (off stage) and Jimmy Lee (right in the middle). It’s also about keeping secrets and paying odd debts, with just a bit of rectifying humor in the bargain. It starts with one of the first English language books about Kung Fu, […]
Dec
16
2016
16
2016
The Bible of Karate
What is the Bubishi? It is many things, but it’s most common attribution is “the Bible of Karate.” Why should Chinese stylists take an interest in a book that is fundamental to an Okinawan art? Because a closer look at this remarkable text opens up a widely different estimation, one that is both more expansive, […]
Dec
16
2016
16
2016
A Wire of Iron
What a year the monkey has been! Now, we have so much good stuff coming in we can act like the Rooster Year is already here, and can start to crow a bit. In the next couple of months, we’re looking forward to adding more and more top quality books and DVDs, often in English. […]