Here’s some good news: We have a couple of short stacks of Sifu Paul Eng’s classic books on Praying Mantis back in stock. These two volumes, Mantis Steals the Peach, and Single Thrust Blossom, have been gone since 2020, and we are hoping to bring back the rest of the series, but for now, these […]
Displaying posts tagged with
“Praying Mantis”
Apr
11
2023
11
2023
Jun
11
2022
11
2022
A Mighty Book: 300 Years of Praying Mantis Boxing History
Once upon a time, we were fortunate to represent an exceptional book: “A Discourse on the History of the Praying Mantis Boxing for the Last One Hundred Years,” written by Huang HanChao. Sadly, it sold out, with demand seriously exceeding supply. But wait! Never say “Never” at Plum. We have just received a gorgeous new […]
Jan
2
2020
2
2020
Six Harmony Praying Mantis (Liu He Tang Lang)
Several months ago, Plum published Sifu Adam Hsu’s significant book, “Life Is Too Short For Bad Kung Fu,” in which he outlined some crucial methods to save traditional Wushu from extinction. He might have had Sifu Tsai Yong Huang’s new DVD on Liu He Tang Lang (Six Harmony Praying Mantis) in mind when he reiterated […]
Mar
14
2018
14
2018
LiuHe Tanglang: The Short Strike Form
We’ve added a new DVD to our collection: LiuHe Duan Chui, the second installment from Teacher Jian Gao, exhibiting one of the rarer styles of Praying Mantis—Six Harmony Praying Mantis—or what some might call a mantis variation of Liu He Quan (Six Harmonies Boxing). This style incorporates key points from many others, such as Monkey, […]
Feb
24
2017
24
2017
The Hidden Power of Kung Fu Slapping
Can you explain the reason some styles like Tong Bei Quan and Kenpo use so much slapping? A fellow martial artist recently asked me about this. Little did he know was that I used to lecture obsessively on this subject to black belts and teachers. Even now, I still incorporate some of this technique in […]
Feb
17
2017
17
2017
Books: Chinese, Books: English, Chin Na, Chinese Books, English Books, Praying Mantis, Tai Tzu, ZiRan Men (TzuRan Men)
By Plum Staff |
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One Good Return Deserves Another
This addition (or should I say re-addition) contains a few books that have been unavailable for years. We know that our cutomers are loyal, but even so, we’ve been surprised that people who’ve had these on their want list for more than five years (!) still want them the moment they become available again. These […]
Feb
10
2017
10
2017
Coloring in the Picture: Bubishi and Hakka styles
The Colorful Bubishi… We now carry both the Bubishi and the new Lion Books, General Tian’s Wubeizhi, with painted figures. This special copy is unlike all other copies presently known. In an amazing confluence of facts, we just happened to read the following footnote in Patrick McCarthy’s Book on Bubishi: … According to Mr. Yoza […]
Jan
27
2017
27
2017
The Hakka Testimonial
300 Years of Hakka Kung Fu is definitely a gift book for a martial collector/scholar. Last year Hong Kong, after having erected a statue of Bruce Lee, sponsored an exhibition of 300 years of Hakka Kung Fu. This was a good decision because the cluster of Kung Fu styles that make up the constellation of […]
Jan
16
2017
16
2017
Books: Chinese, Books: English, Chinese Books, English Books, Praying Mantis, Xing Yi/Xin Yi
By Plum Staff |
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Three Texts: New, Old, Reborn
Our storms are done here (we hope). It seems like during the time we holed up and watched the wind change the landscape, we also acquired a host of new products and long unavailable reprints. We have just added three of these books, each in a different phase of the publishing process. NEW: First is […]
Feb
29
2016
29
2016
MORE Video Glimpses of Shifu Jou
We have been so inspired while reviewing videos from the newest addition to the Plum cast–that is, Shifu PouFu Jou–that we are preparing excerpts from each of his DVDs for you to take a look. We have now posted three clips, with more to come: on Northern Praying Mantis LanJie and Lipi Quan, plus his […]
Feb
19
2016
19
2016
3 Worthy Additions from Shifu Jou
Shifu Jou’s series of instructional and lecture DVDs has definitely attracted some attention. There is a tendency right now to emphasize the mainland, but people should not forget what a treasure trove of skill Taiwan is–at least for a little while longer. For instance, the first of the new ones presents an in-depth discussion/lecture on […]
Jan
6
2016
6
2016
Mantis Exits the Cave: Sifu Paul Eng’s Last Book: NOW available
Sifu Paul Eng died almost one year ago. He left behind thousands of students; an ongoing school in California; loved ones; a reputation for kindness; memories of his skill and patience as a martial artist and teacher; and a short list of books and a DVD that he had published, the most notable being 5 […]
Dec
1
2014
1
2014
A Detective Story and the Origin of Forms
There is an ongoing debate about the place of forms in martial arts. What seems natural and logical to some people, especially in the context of certain cultural values, seems a low level form of insanity to others. Basics we all claim to understand and admire. Sparring is a no-brainer, especially if you are hit […]
Aug
4
2014
4
2014
Following the Seven Stars
Well, yes, Seven Star Mantis. Some people find it the original and most representative branch of the style. Some see it as foundational training to initiate further Mantis growth. For some unknown reasons we did not, till today, list the entire series of DVDs made by Jon Funk, Canadian Mantis practitioner and student of Al […]
Jul
26
2014
26
2014
Stamp Your Feet for Bajiquan (Pachi Chuan)
As mentioned, we have a lot going on at Plum right now, and here is just the newest in our list of great events: the FIRST book in english on Bajiquan (Pachi Chuan.) Not only that, but it comes from the renowned teacher, Su Yu Chang, whose lineage through GM Liu Yun Chiao adds to […]
Jun
23
2014
23
2014
QA: Is there a Mantis out there…?
I have been a student of Kung fu, kenpo, and tai chi since 1988. I am looking for praying mantis of a type I was taught, supposedly Chinese by way of Hawaii. It is a very rolled up approach to mantis emphasizing entering the opponent’s guard, employing hooking and grasping. It also emphasized attacking or […]
Apr
29
2014
29
2014
Fun Stuff: Brendan Lai Presents… 1984
Those were the days my friend. We thought they’d never end. We’d kick and punch forever and a day… Here they are, thirty years ago; a great rostrum of performers and masters: Left Column: Cliff Lok Shek Kin Mok Poi-On Lee Koon Hung Y. C. Wong Lai Hung Cheuk Fung Doc-Fai Wong Right Column: […]
Jan
13
2013
13
2013
Book Go Round
Another quick post about a few Chinese books that have temporarily returned; we always say “temporary” because, for the most part, every time we get these in we don’t know if it’s their last time ’round. While there is certainly a growth in the quantity of literature on Kung Fu, a lot of the classics […]
Dec
10
2011
10
2011
North vs. South, Hands vs. Feet
“Southern Hands, Northern Legs.” This old saying has bamboozled hordes of martial students to take for granted the superiority of hand striking for the Southern styles of Kung Fu and the dominance of kicking in the Northern styles.
Nov
11
2011
11
2011
An “Essential” Wushu Book
Here is a book that surveys the whole field of Chinese Martial Arts all in one volume.
