We at Plum freely admit that we are big fans of Andrea Falk, in her roles as martial artist, writer and translator. It is this last role that we celebrate today. When we started Plum, almost 30 years ago, there were so many important texts available in Chinese that we never thought we would see […]
Oct
28
2022
28
2022
Feb
22
2018
22
2018
Some Long-Awaited Restocks
It’s been a few months since we have been fully stocked on our “En Face Books” (the books in this series have English text ‘facing’ Chinese text). They are among our customer favorites, because they have so much to offer: A book and accompanying VCD showing complete routines in both Chinese and English. What more […]
Jan
28
2018
28
2018
Review: Essence of Lien Bu Chuan
We want to congratulate Artie Aviles, James Man Chin and Nelson Tsou on two excellent reviews they have received for their book “The Essence of Lien Bu Chuan.” We are especially grateful to both Nick Scrima at The Journal of Chinese Martial Arts, and Nancy Fiano, from the Xinyi Dao Academy and the World Fighting […]
Aug
27
2017
27
2017
Mei Flower Boxing
Here’s a reprint of a popular article on Mei Hua Quan I wrote for Kung Fu Wushu magazine. The Mei flower is a delicate thing. The slightest breeze stirs its petals. Against the hardness of bark its softness shines like spots of moonlight. Its delicacy is a dab of beauty in the world. But sometimes […]
Aug
27
2017
27
2017
More on the Mei Hua Kung Fu style
More notes on Mei Hua Quan -Some Forms of Mei Hua Style: Mai Fu (Ambush Fist) Shi Zi Tang (Cross Forms) Mei Hua Tai Zu Chang Quan Mei Hua Quan Five Tigers Grab the Sheep Penetrating Forest Palm Eight Directions Boxing Mei Hua Spear Green Dragon Sword -Our Mei Hua VCDs -Some sources indicate MeiHua […]
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 […]
Feb
17
2017
17
2017
Apr
23
2016
23
2016
Tong Bei, Loose and Powerful
Here is a pretty advanced Kung Fu puzzle: along with Bagua Zhang, Xing Yi Quan and Taijiquan, what do all of the following styles have in common: Liu He Ba Fa (Six Harmonies, Eight Methods,) Mi Zong (Lost Track,) BaFa Quan (Eight Methods,) Liu He Quan (Six Harmonies Boxing) and Tong Bei Quan (Through the […]
Mar
24
2016
24
2016
Northern, Southern, Inside and Out
A few restocks for your reading pleasure–click images for more info Hung Kuen Fundamentals: Gung Gee Fook Fu (English/Chinese)This exceptional first volume of the Lam family Hung Kuen series is back in stock! We cannot say enough good things about this beautiful and comprehensive treatment on Hung Gar Fundamentals. We are so pleased to be […]
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 […]
Sep
20
2015
20
2015
Adam Hsu’s Basic Kung Fu Training Books
Much earlier in his career, Adam Hsu Sifu created a special series of three linking sets. Each of these were progressively designed to waste as little time as possible, getting that crucial fundamental information to the students. For instance, there are no repetitious sections. Also, each movement is a crucial basic. Two of these sets […]
Jun
3
2015
3
2015
Training and Training: Practice with Adam Hsu
There’s training and then there’s training. In Kung Fu there is a kind of training that so challenges the way of thinking AND the body that people successfully ignore it for years and even decades. So begins Shifu Mancuso’s newest article, printed on our sister site, adamhsukungfu.com. Click the picture to continue reading. We are […]
May
5
2015
5
2015
Adam Hsu Article: Black Tiger Steals the Heart
A Straight Talk about the Straight Punch: Technique, Principles & Usage You may not have realized it (how could you?) but PLUM has a brother we never told you about. This new addition is a site devoted to the works and writings of Adam Hsu. We have been feeding this site with much of PLUM’s […]
May
25
2014
25
2014
Some Favorite Styles…
Sometimes readers ask me for suggestions without specifying any certain style. They leave that open. In essence, their exacting and sometimes highly technical queries often boil down to ”what styles do you like?” Of course the real answer is “a lot of them” since I am a lover of Chinese martial arts. Strangely enough, many […]
Jun
15
2013
15
2013
