We are in our typical state of “too much coming all at once,” so we thought we’d offer an appetizer of what to expect in the next few weeks. We’re already getting questions about a couple of these, so consider this your official update. And, of course, as soon as we post this, more will […]
Jul
29
2021
29
2021
Dec
9
2020
9
2020
Mar
10
2020
10
2020
Lost in Translation: The Hidden Gems of Kung-Fu
In speaking with another shifu a few weeks ago, he brought up something that I took notice of quite some time ago, something that has always stood out to me, something that I have always made it a point to rally against in my Kung-Fu training and teaching. He spoke of today’s state of affairs […]
May
22
2019
22
2019
Fun Stuff: Bruce’s Older Kung Fu brother
Secrets of Kung Fu—a popular publication, especially during the Seventies—hosted a huge variety of topics. For this issue, we have a drumming platform, a wooden man, a banner dance, an ancient arms dealer, Bruce Lee’s senior classmate, Ancient Chinese rocketry, a 20 year old exponent of Chou style, Kneeling to a Kung Fu teacher, and […]
Mar
27
2019
27
2019
Framed!
What is “frame?” If the answer doesn’t come immediately, don’t worry—this is a concept that confuses a good segment of the martial student body. At first glance, it simply consists of standing a certain way and holding your limbs in an agreed upon configuration. Of course, people assume different shapes—but sometimes what they think of […]
Feb
7
2019
7
2019
More from the Kong Han Goh Cho Kun Archives
Five Ancestors Fist is a famous and powerful style combining major techniques from the system. This second volume from Sifu Kun, Kong Han Goh Cho Kun continues archiving the important aspects of its no-nonsense training. Representative forms include Open Hands (Three Battle Cross), Short Dagger and Sai. In both cases of the weapons there are […]
Dec
14
2018
14
2018
How Legends Grow
After 5000 years, an ocean of rumor and a mountain range of myth still proscribe the land of Kung Fu. And the stories that most attach themselves are often related to the origins of weapons. Not every weapon has a backstory and a legend. But the folk stories that accompany weapons—believable or not—range from the […]
Oct
15
2018
15
2018
More on the “Hard” Wing Chun
Here is a DVD on the Wing Chun “Upper Arm” set which we believe correlates to “Searching for the the Bridge” in the Yip Man tradition. This is a “harder” form of Wing Chun, and related to Hung Gar. It is not the only Hard version, but one of the better known. This DVD offers […]
May
29
2018
29
2018
Jeet Kune Do & Wing Chun: Inexpensive Intro to Bruce Lee’s art
We’ve just added to our hurt books division one of the best explanations of Jeet Kune Do, its working and goals, that we’ve ever seen–Basics of Jeet Kune Do. This is one of the special series on Basics (we also have one by Sifu Paul Eng of Praying Mantis style) relying more on detailed explanations […]
Feb
13
2018
13
2018
Randy’s Back and Plum Has Got Him
For many years, Plum has represented the entire line of Randy Williams DVDs. But over the last year, some titles became scarce or went out of print. Good news! We are once again stocked on the ever-effervescent Sifu Williams and his valuable commentary and instruction on Wing Chun. We have glowed over the years about […]
Dec
22
2017
22
2017
Come To The Party
Right before the end of the year, we welcome back a few old friends, Chinese Kung Fu books that are always welcome at Plum. We’ve got a lot of new material coming, too, in the next little while, so keep an eye on this spot. (Click each book to get more info, and to purchase). […]
Nov
20
2017
20
2017
Evolution of Wing Chun Kicking Techniques
Happy to announce the arrival of an important new text in the Wing Chun canon: The Evolution of Wing Chun Kung Fu Kicking Techniques. Osmond Lam’s beautiful book not only shows us some of the principles behind Wing Chun’s special and only sporadically known kicking methods, but adds a good portion of background technique on […]
Feb
10
2017
10
2017
Nov
29
2016
29
2016
You Are Hired: Bodyguard Kung Fu
Put yourself in the thick of it. What would you do? Your world is split into two–principals and enemies in a constant power struggle. Many hidden factions promote ninja-type fighting skills. You must protect your principal at all costs, yet not every situation requires deadly force so you have to be an expert at making […]
May
8
2016
8
2016
Li Tianji’s Xing Yi Legacy; Andrea Falk’s Dictionary
Plum is adding another text by Andrea Falk, a translation of significance to Xing Yi practitioners: Li TianJi’s The Skills of XingYiQuan; 311 pages, with hundreds of illustrations. This is a thorough text on the style handed down to Li Tianji from his father, Li Yulin. It’s very well laid out with sections covering basic […]
Jun
2
2015
2
2015
Meeting C. S. Tang
Those even slightly familiar with our site, might note the name C. S. Tang. Sifu Tang is a familiar figure in Chinese martial arts (CMA) and also the co-author with Liu Jing Ru, of a popular Bagua Zhang book, “Dragon Stretches its Claws”. We went by his school and were warmly greeted by Sifu Tang. […]
Mar
27
2015
27
2015
How to Work the Dummy
It’s solid teak, something that your hand will not let you forget if it happens to meet the wooden body straight on. This reminds us that the first requirement in working with a dummy is that we not injure ourselves so badly that we have no choice but to stop working with the dummy. Also, […]
Sep
23
2014
23
2014
When Speed and Power Tangle…
Mastering the right mix of speed and power is the type of fine adjustment a martial artist will make the length of his or her career…
Jun
28
2014
28
2014
Devilishly Clever Training Devices
Tyler Rea, martial artist and graphic designer, has come out with a new book focusing on the building and usage of inexpensive, DIY training equipment. This newest effort presents many types of equipment, much of which you can build. Two of Rea’s teachers were Sifu Edmund Kwai and his brother-in-law Sifu Lee Bing Choi; a […]
Mar
18
2014
18
2014
New book! Wing Chun Wooden Dummy
Each book on the Wooden Dummy seems to contain a little more information than the last. Here is a new entry by Sifu Sam Chan, a practitioner of both Wing Chun and Jow Gar. (Have you noticed how must cross-training there is in the Southern style Kung Fu? Similarity of moves and theories?) It has […]
