Another great weapons book, Black Tiger Claw Single Saber, from the prolific Paul Koh, this one on Tiger Claw’s Single saber. One of the many things we appreciate about Sifu Koh’s books is his emphasis on foundation as well as form and usage. A reader can easily learn and apply much from this text, even […]
Aug
21
2023
21
2023
Aug
24
2021
24
2021
Forthcoming, and Then Some
A brief pause in our cataloguing work to tell you about a few items coming up that would be here sooner if we didn’t keep pausing to tell you about them…well, you get the picture. Anyway, a little while back we added a gorgeous new Chinese book from Sifu Adam Hsu on Tan Tui, this […]
Apr
23
2020
23
2020
Shaolin Sheltering: Weird Weapons
Among the first commandments for stifling COVID-19 is ‘do not touch your face’. This was extremely difficult for me. Spring is allergy season. It makes me cough and sneeze, and the last thing I want to be right now is a coughing sneezing Asian. What’s more, my nose is always itchy. To keep from scratching, […]
Apr
11
2020
11
2020
Copper Whiskers
This is an article about one of the great weapons, a weapon that has been employed in real combat but which is also considered an instrument of beauty and style. People react variously to a two-edged straight sword; some see its performance as art. This is rare. Traditionally, scholars wore a straight sword […]
Feb
2
2020
2
2020
How To Change (A Tire)
Last night, driving home from teaching, my mind filled with ideas, I cut too sharply on a left turn, and bumped over a curb. The mishap arrived with an explosion of sound, followed by a consistent galug-galug-galug as I limped through the last two miles of my trip. My wife, Debbie, and I have […]
Dec
11
2019
11
2019
Instructor’s Notebook: Tiger Hook Blades
INSTRUCTOR’S NOTEBOOK The life and death of our art depends on the Quality of shared knowledge we maintain. Proper teaching informs the student while educating the teacher. Confucius told us that “wherever a few are gathered, I have a teacher.” As we see, all faces of Kung Fu offer a deep well to draw from. […]
Feb
13
2019
13
2019
Jun
18
2018
18
2018
Triple Irony
Martial artists always have something to do. In my case I have been reconstructing and improving my weapons skills—at least, I hope so, considering the practice put in. It can be a slow process. It’s tough enough to fight through the quirks of each weapon. You also have to overcome the tendency for former ghostly […]
Apr
14
2017
14
2017
Kung Fu Saber: The Tiger Leaps
A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away, Plum pre-announced our newest book/DVD package by Ted Mancuso on the Kung Fu Saber. Needless to say, it took us just a bit longer to produce these than we expected, but we are thrilled to say, THE SABER IS HERE! This is the third in […]
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. […]
Dec
29
2015
29
2015
Adam Hsu Interview, Complete: Parts 1 – 8
All episodes now available! Watch and listen to our extensive (and intensive) interview that we conducted in Taipei with Adam Hsu. No stranger to controversy, Adam Hsu discusses usage, teachers and the problems of teaching, “spreading the word,” and what is necessary for practice in Parts 4 and 5. As always, expect to hear a […]
Nov
12
2015
12
2015
Adam Hsu Interview, Part 5
This session concentrates on “the Kung Fu Instructor,” and spreading the word. Adam Hsu gives a little insight into his many decades struggle with practitioners and agencies to promote authentic Kung Fu. Want to watch ALL (Parts 1-8) on youtube? Want to watch Part 1 on this site? Want to watch Part 2 on this […]
Nov
12
2015
12
2015
Adam Hsu Interview, Part 4
In Part 4 of our interview, Adam Hsu makes some critical comments on what he sees in Kung Fu usage and applications. He speaks further of the goals and methods for Kung Fu training. Want to watch ALL (Parts 1-8) on youtube? Want to watch Part 1 on this site? Want to watch Part 2 […]
Oct
18
2015
18
2015
Adam Hsu Interview, Part 3
Continuing our discussion on weapon’s practice, the interview moves to the topics of Kung Fu forms, and where they fit into the curriculum. Want to watch ALL (Parts 1-8) on youtube? Want to watch Part 1 on this site? Want to watch Part 2 on this site? Want to watch Part 4 on this site? […]
Oct
14
2015
14
2015
Adam Hsu Interview, Part 2
Learning “true basics” is at the core of Kung Fu. In this session, Part 2 of our interview, Adam Hsu talks about communicating and the practice of Kung Fu Weaponry. Want to watch All (Parts 1-8) on youtube? Want to watch Part 1 on this site? Want to watch Part 3 on this site? Want […]
Oct
13
2015
13
2015
Adam Hsu Interview, Part 1
In Part 1, our interview starts with a question about Kung Fu’s true DNA. Discussion follows, on the Kung Fu experience, and what that means, and what makes Kung Fu absolutely unique as a martial art. Part 2 (on this site) Part 3 (on this site) Part 4 (on this site) Part 5 (on this […]
May
25
2015
25
2015
Ted Mancuso’s New Kung Fu Spear Book & Dvd
Despite Carthage’s sleepy reception of Plum’s NEW book and DVD, we are excited to announce that “Kung Fu Spear: King of Weapons” is now available. The books have arrived, the DVDs are spindled, everything is complete…except we’re in Taiwan for another two weeks*. Coincidentally, on the day the books landed at Plum, I did get […]
Mar
16
2014
16
2014
Kung Fu Theater: Adam Hsu Shows Weapons
Here’s another memorable entry from that great period on TV when Tat Mau Wong hosted Kung Fu Theater? Sifu would interview a different guest each week and then the teacher would go out on the floor and demonstrate his specialty. If you do remember, here it is. And if you don’t you are in for […]
Oct
5
2013
5
2013
The Kung Fu Staff
This is all you get to see of Plum’s newest book and DVD arriving (next?) Thursday. You have heard us say before that every book and dvd we produce at Plum is a labor of love; the word “labor” is particularly pertinent to this set, in that it took us much longer than we had […]
Sep
28
2013
28
2013
A Fine Martial Hand
A few weeks ago, we were in San Francisco and stopped at one of our favorite shops, Brendan Lai Supply Co. Brendan, sadly, has been gone for several years, but the shop continues to operate under the experienced and expert guidance of his wife, Esther, and son, Al. A single post does not offer the […]
