Simplified
Chinese

NOTE: Please be aware that we only have one or two copies of some of these. Many aren't even in print any more. Even if it is listed here it may already be out of stock (we'll try to keep it updated but they may go fast).

This book—really, a massive archive—details a relatively lesser known yet important martial style, Mei Hua Quan, or Plum Blossom Fist. With small print and pint-sized photos, this text presents as an exhaustive compendium of illustrations, charts, history, and postures…in other words, a joy to any researcher.

Essentially coming from a peasant culture, Mei Hua Quan holds tightly to its strong martial past, deriving from one of the truest areas of traditional practice in all of China. This style crossed paths with the rural revolt of the Tai Ping Rebellion, a revolutionary movement larger than the American Civil War. The TP Rebellion advocated sweeping changes in the Chinese world such as suffrage for women, standardization of money, care for the poor, a wider platform of justice, and other features that could beat the oppressed heart of a foreign-ruling Manchu class.

Mei Hua Quan comes from the associated “Five Petal Blossom” boxing, the ‘Five Petals’ referring to the five elements. Its most iconic images show people fighting on poles.

Here is a tiny sampling from the Table of Contents:
~The technical characteristics of the fifth Chang Neihuang Plum Blossom
~The morality at the core of Confucian thinking
~Meihuaquan culture
~North Henan Plum Blossoms
~The multi-disciplinary talents from the origin of the first Plum Blossom fist
~Basic Skills of the Third Order of Plum Blossom Boxing

This book is not for the mildly interested, and is not instructional in the sense of offering routines or usage. But for any working to build an understanding of traditional Chinese martial history, it will provide a treasure of information.

by Li Pei Ji
Simplified Chinese Characters;
$16.95, 238 pages Softbound. Photographs

This is the largest text we have had so far on the rather small style known as Mei Hua Zhuang Quan or Plum Blossom Pole Boxing. It contains a good sized photo section of Mei Hua practitioners. Front pages on theory, key points. Instructional sections on MHZQ's 13 Leg Maneuvers, Small MH Boxing Form, The bigger MH Boxing form, MH longevity exercises, MH beginning Road form and a pictorial breakdown of the more advanced MH Road form. This style of MeiHua Zhuang is not the only Mei Hua style in existence.  However most of the books we have been able to locate are on this branch of Kung Fu, even this one in English.

SC836  Authentic Chinese Wushu Complete - 
By Kang Ge Wu 康戈武
772 pages, $39.95

 This by the eminent Chinese martial historian, Professor Kang Ge Wu. This is one of the first and best encyclopedic surveys of Chinese martial arts. It is a reference used by just about everyone. Styles, basic movements, stances, basic weapons, exercises, basic principles, historical perspective and famous adages are all covered. This huge text has clear illustrations and a wealth of knowledge. A perfect companion to the book we published with Kang, The Spring and Autumn of Chinese Martial Arts — 5000 Years.  

Southern Shaolin: Secrets of Gong Li Quan Boxing - SC 138

by 高翔 Gao Xiang
Simplified Chinese Characters;
$12.95, 377 pages Softbound. Photographs

A claimant to the Southern Shaolin style and one of those few styles in which the major form is also the name of the system. Like Tan Tui, Gong Li (this one) and Drilling Palm (later charged to Bagua) the essence of the system is in the title. The Gong Li form is considered one of the really well-constructed forms especially for beginner’s level, as well known in its time as the equivalent to Tan Tui? In earlier years it was one of the introductory forms for the Jing Wu Institute, gaining reputation as part of its special training. There was even a time when all the Kung Fu schools around San Francisco tried to unify and teach the same basics form—this Gong Li Quan— throughout all the schools preventing school skipping. It did not work out but it’s still a good idea. 

SC136 Southern Shaolin Five Ancestors Boxing
By Chen Huo Yu,
$12.95, 127 pages Softbound. Photographs

Some nice color plates in the beginning open this book.
Guangzhou is considered the homeland of Southern Shaolin with traces dating back to the Tang and both Song dynasties (especially since the founder of the Song dynasty was one of the “ancestors.”)

This book shows a lot of the flavor that distinguishes this core style of Southern Kung Fu. Introductory sections offer information on the origins and essential practices of FAB. Basic arts like footwork are discussed and movements based on the Five Ancestors principle, “Shake the Body, Skillful Shoulder Blade.” The first form shown is the key set called “Three Battles Boxing,” which could indeed be the origin of Sanchin Kata. After that are some pages devoted to applications. A little bonus is the final section on the Five Ancestors Trident form.