It is said, “All good things come to those who wait.” At Plum, this is not exactly our motto, but it is a part of our reputation for which we take particularl pride. It brings us great pleasure to seek out the treasures that have disappeared, as well as those that are just coming to […]
Jul
20
2023
20
2023
Nov
10
2021
10
2021
Sifu Paul Koh’s Tiger Crane Matching Set
So happy to see another volume in Paul Koh’s expanding series on Southern Shaolin Tiger Claw. This one is special, in that it is instruction and background for a matching set, in this case the famous Tiger Crane Two Person Routine. As with Sifu Koh’s other books, the set is traditional in its approach, while […]
Sep
24
2021
24
2021
Paul Koh’s Butterfly Knives Flash!
Another great book just landed from Paul Koh: Southern Shaolin Tiger Claw Double (Butterfly) Knives. This beautifully presented text, with full-color, full-page photos, includes History and Origins, Fundamentals, Techniques, Maneuvers, a full routine developed for him by Master Tak Wah Eng, and a beautifully told story of a young man’s encounter with the knives. As […]
May
13
2021
13
2021
Two Great New Books
We’re working through a tall pile of new Chinese books, and here are the first two: Chen YiMing‘s Chen Family Martial Arts Experience takes a geometric look at fighting stances and approaches. We’ve seen a few books over the years that include some aspects of this, but this all-color text is dedicated, start to finish, […]
Oct
15
2019
15
2019
Three Fighting Stars: Xin Yi, Chang and Gong Li Quan
All three of these new Chinese texts—on Xin Yi Liu He, the ancient Chang family style, and Five Ancestors boxing—demonstrate applications that give a good sense, in each case, showing them as pragmatic and functional. The Gong Li Quan is one of the styles that comes under […]
Jul
26
2019
26
2019
Tai Chi Books: Wu (Hao), Hong, Chin Na, Essays Plus 5 Ancestors (for good measure)
Look what’s new! and look what’s back in stock!
Dec
28
2018
28
2018
Five of Five: New Books
We welcome five new texts, three of them in both Chinese and English. Among the lot we have a nicely done 5 Animals routine. We also have something very unusual: a duet set where spear battles…another spear. Do not try this at home. Happy New Year to all of you from all of us—Ted, Linda […]
Aug
29
2017
29
2017
3 Southern Styles
Southern Kung Fu styles are under-represented in martial literature, as almost any Southern practitioner can tell you. So we make a special effort at Plum to seek out the best material we can offer. Which is why an announcement of two new products and a long-waited restock is a bit of a celebration: A […]
May
26
2016
26
2016
Kong Han Ngo Cho: Five Ancestors of Kung Fu
What a great book! If you have any interest in Five Ancestors Fist (Ngo Cho Kun) or Southern Boxing in general, this large, well-illustrated volume is a must-have for your library. The Five Ancestors is one style that combines five forms of Kung Fu fighting. Its core style is TaiZu, named after an Emperor of […]
Jul
15
2013
15
2013
A Major Event for the Hung Style
The Lam family is justly famous for its stewardship of the largest branch of the famous Southern style, Hung Kuen. For the first time in over 60 years, they have issued a comprehensive training manual on their system, including the keystone form of the system, Gung Gee Fook Fu, along with special materials on usage, […]
Nov
27
2009
27
2009
Kung Feud?
Not among the most forgiving: that can only be stated about martial artists. After all, art is long and life is short
