White Crane is a boxing form which has recently re-emerged to world wide interest; and deservedly so. It is a fine boxing form of its own. It is also one of the acknowledged major influences on the formation of Karate in Okinawa. There are numerous subdivisions such as Hungry Crane, Diving Crane. There is also a non-Fukien version variously known as White Crane, LaMa (Lama) and Hop Gar. White Crane is particularly well represented in Taiwan and much of our information comes from that area. As we expand we will add more and more to this important and beloved system.
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FuJian style Crane Boxing Secrets - TC 334
by Li Zai Luan (De Qiang), 137 pages $16.95 Traditional Chinese Characters;
137 Pages, Softbound. Old photographs.
This is a classic reprint showing one of the earliest and most famous of all books dealing with Crane boxing. Though written and photographed in the early part of the 20th century it stands up for a number of reasons. All the photographs are full pages. Postures are shown beautifully with a few posed pictures of Crane styles weapons, staff, trident and Kuan Dao. Even Sifu’s short pants have come back into fashion, sort of. It is said that during the war Li killed a number of Japanese soliders with his art and had to flee to a secure place under the safety of other martial artists. White Crane Boxing form is demonstrated as well as some applications and the Crane equivalent of Sticky Hands. The real thing and a nice collector's piece.
A314 Authentic Crane Boxing
by Li Gang $24.95; 364 pages, softbound, oversized, photographs
traditional Chinese text
This is a big book on its subject. It has sections on basic crane actions, important points, and also photos sections on crane swaying, kicking, hand strikes, and text sections on “wind and snow” strength , key points, and a long poem on the crane’s origins. There is a historical section with a number of photographs of masters. This is followed by a group of photo sections on crane strength training such as shoulder snapping and working with a staff to develop jing. Next comes a solid section of partner exercises and tight two-person training. Then a short form mixing the basic strikes. There is a good representation of the style with some forms: Horse Sitting (also called Ancestor Boxing) San Zhan, the Crane Boxing that became Sanchin in Karate Twelve Powers Boxing. All these are followed by many “discussions” on the art, its applications and principles.
A312 The Polarity Martial Way, Fast Body Crane Boxing
by Qiu Ling Min, 2007/05/01, traditional Chinese text
106 pages, color plates in front, BW photos elsewhere, oversized
One man's lifelong relationship with the Kung Fu of Crane Boxing. Jun Shen, Fast or Strong Body is a boxing form of the crane with special characteristics and strong reliance on Fa Jin and Qigong. Typical moves include striking oneself while producing a movement, repelling pushing attackers and issuing force. Chapters include: Tainan-Guangzhou Five Tigers Incident • Taiwan's tiger Li Dong Liang • Shifu A Feng given a new lease on life by Li Dong Liang • Li Dong Liang Fuzhou ancestral shrine predestined ChaShan proven method of Shifu Ah Feng • Li Dong Liang back to ChaShan's ancestral shrine • Diving crane four • Li Dong Liang third trip to ancestral shrine • Yan Shui Gang "From an exchange of blows, friendship grows." Crane Boxing Poems.
Crane Arts Survey- A125
By Various
This series is for the hard core Crane boxer. A series of symposia held by practitioners of the crane style cover many subjects with informal, on stage demonstrations of Three Battles, Five Step, Ape and Crane Round Hand and more. The first DVD has extensive demonstrations and explanations by Yang Hong Zhen 楊鴻晨.
In this case some knowledge of Chinese would be valuable since a number of the presentations are in the form of lectures. The accompaning manual has articles including those listed below and much on the technicalities of White Crane such as foot placement and posture: all written in traditional Chinese. Some Topics
1. Principles of Crane style Basic Training
by Yang Hong Chen (Shi Family village Da Cheng Quan research association)-see picture at bottom
2. An exploration of Taiwan White Crane Boxing: Nourishing Health paper
by Lai Zhong Kui (Martial Virture Study Center)
3. An Inquiry into Zhang Zhou Wing Chun White Crane boxing's inherited training methods
by Li Gang (Hong Kong Wing Chun White Crane Boxing Arts Study Association)
4. Jade Unicorn Cultural Center Crane style brief talk
by Huang Dong Yu (Jade Unicorn Cultural Center) 5.The Art of Swallow and Spit in White Crane Boxing
byWang Yu Ning (Da Ye College)
6. A talk on White Crane Boxing
by Li Cheng Zhi (Taiwan province Kun Lun Immortal Ancestor Dao Training Research Association)
7.Historical Boxing Manuals ancient recording of Ming Dynasty Southern Shaolin Wushu it's origins and development by Su Zi Qiang (Taiwan Spring Peach Crane)
8. Some thoughts on understanding Crane style and Martial studies internal
by Liu Kang Yi (National Sports School)
9. Scholar's White Crane Shang Kuang Tong Record
by Fu Wen Pi (ZhongHua Taiwan GuoShu Association Scholar's White Crane Committee)
A313 White Crane Boxing and Theory of Health
by Wang Yu Ning , 2006/12/06
Publisher: Yi Wen (ancient writings no longer extant) , traditional Chinese text
This volume gives an examination on the nuts and bolts of White Crane from the mechanical and health standpoints. It discusses, in detail, the structure of the system from both the physiological standpoint and with correspondences to the Chinese medical theory. Though in traditional Chinese it comes with a three page introduction in English and the different sections are often peppered with English translation of references such as the names for Qi and other fundamental concepts. Nicely done this over-sized volume has photos and some illustrations of its key points. Other sections refer to descriptions of the various styles and their advantages, five elements theory White Crane style, special breathing arts, White Crane spirit and suggestions for further research.
Special Issue "Mook": Crane Arts MOOK#３
台灣武林 2006
by the Taiwan WuLin editorial department, 2006/12/06
Publisher: Yi Wen ("ancient writings no longer extant"), traditional Chinese text
Even more about the saga of what is emerging as one of the most studied of all Kung Fu styles: The White Crane Boxing. This adds much material to the research including an article on the relatively underexposed Ru White Crane. Top level practitioners of this art are few and far between. In the U.S.A. Y.C. Chiang was well known for his boxing demonstrations even into his eighties. Many pieces on the art in this special focused magazine/book: mook.
Crane Boxing Maneuvering Lin Xiao Xian
"Shaking of the Slush" Body Art of the White Crane by Li Gang
"Ru" Crane Boxing's 8 Essential Linked Stepping Arts: oral Transmission by Sifu's Jun De & An Ci
A Paper investigating the Breathing Methods of Taiwan White Crane by Lai Zhong Kui
Polarized Military Methods Quick Body Crane Arts －Ah Feng's transmission of the Shaking Body Method by Qiu Ling MIn
White Crane's Five Element Theory Lu Chong Ming and Want Yu Ning
Crane Health Practices by Yang Hong Chen
Crane: Art ad Boxing Liu Jin Yi
Taiwanese Chinese Martial Arts Internal Boxing Methods Origins-"The Crane Mother" revealed:
Materials, Demon station, Guide Wang Jin Fa Liu Jin Yi.
DVD#12053 Taiwan White Crane Convention
This is a three DVD set of White Crane lectures and demonstrations held in Taiwan. For the dedicated follower of White Crane Boxing or a new enthusiast this is a valuable collection. Each lecturer gives opening remarks then shows some formal exercises and, often, applications on stage. Some speakers brought old video tapes, done in open circle style, of practitioners getting up and showing their stuff. Many of these inserted video tapes looked to be decades old.
DVD#12054 Taiwan Masters Survey
This Triple DVD is a photographic record of many styles. It is also a kind of document because it records, often in very informal circumstances, the status of a number of older teachers. See below for a list of all the styles and demonstrations covered.Some of these are, basically, footage taken at work places where casually dressed practitioners show what forms they know. We include this in the White Crane section because the Crane is strong in Taiwan (at least for a while longer) and much of the footage records Crane players from a generation soon to disappear. The first disk has many shots of Taiwanese Temples and many of the demonstrations are performed in front of them. Here is a list of the forms.
LionBooks Special Issue "Mook"
A special 300 pg. issue focusing on White Crane Boxing in Taiwan
traditional Chinese text
Here is a great compendium of information of the famous CRANE BOXING of Taiwan. Essential instructors: Lin Guo Zhong, Lin De Shun,
Ancient writings on the art
Major comparison of Wing Chun Crane style
Lineage charts on Wing Chun/White Crane major teachers and student all the way down to Bruce Lee.
Wing Chun White Crane's famous teacher Pan Shi Feng
Contemporary teachers Lai Ti Min, Wang Jin Fa, Zhu Shui Guan, Hong Zong Ji, Chen Ming Lun, and of course Liu Jin Lung,
Diving Crane style with applications
A slew of photos and articles, more than we can say here
including research on the vital relationship of Crane to Karate ...
Special Collector's Set:
The Authentic Transmission of WHITE CRANE Boxing
traditional Chinese text
This set of books, published by our associate, Lion Publishers, brings together historical WHITE CRANE KUNG FU manuals from the Qing dynasty. Not one of these has been issued in a modern edition and this series is a valuable collection for researchers and enthusiasts. The six volumes are almost entirely TEXT and have very few pictures. Commentary by two modern masters is added.
Cover detail
Note: This is not a cheap set. But it is beautiful. The covers of these books are embossed (raised) and gorgeously colored and designed. The whole set comes boxed (which due to shipping MAY be dinged a little). The Chinese font is elegant and there are facsimiles of the original editions included in many cases. For someone doing scholarly, translational work or just for the enthusiast we recommend these. At about $10.00 US per volume there's little reason to hesitate. We get shipments about periodically from Lion, so if we don't have the series please be patient.
Authentic Methods of White Crane Boxing Passed Down From Generations
1. Yong chun Zheng Li-Shu's Teaching Text: no author, evidence indicates that this was written in the Qing dynasty. This manual has two parts: the first called Fist Methods taught at Bai Lian Temple. The second part shows treatments for internal and external injuries. This is not a simple translation and there is a good deal of vernacular in the Chinese. The numerous anatomical charts are quite quaint.
2. "Authentic Teaching Handed Down from The White Crane Immortal Teacher": Written in the Qing dynasty, Emperor Qian Long (1736-95) period. The author, was called Lin Dong. And he was a fifth generation inheritor. Of the entire set this manual contains the most information on the guiding principles of the four forms of Crane Boxing; i.e. Feeding Crane, Flying Crane, Perching Crane, Whooping Crane. Much of this material may be lucky to survive as some was destroyed in a fire and this comes from a hand copied edition. This material - with illustrations of figures - is probably the most "hands on " of the volumes with descriptions of evasive methods, strikes and other fundamental elements of the art.
3. Authentic Methods of White Crane Boxing: No author listed. This text appears to have been written before than the other manuals. This book emphasizes combat applications and features several line drawings
4. Major Points: Zheng Qiao, a 5th generation inheritor, is the author here. This text was written around 1795. Its literary style is more common and its attitude more practical. It summarizes Zheng Qiao's experiences teaching the White Crane Boxing system.
5. Taoyuan Boxing: Taoyuan is not a real place. It is a Utopian land of harmony that fits in a number of legends, particularly Taoist ones. The town of Yong Chun (not related to Wing Chun Style) was also known as "Taoyuan" a very long time ago. The Yong Chun area is very important in the history of White Crane Boxing. It has a section on opponents which discusses practical fighting situations. Xiao Bao Shi, its author, was a 5th generation disciple. The manual comes from the Qing dynasty, circa 1796.
6. "White Crane Boxing's Founder Fang Qi-Niang": Written sometime in late Qing dynasty this manual is not attributed to any author. This book discusses teaching methodology. It suggests that the "Three Battles" form be the first practice set. The Three Battles form acknowledged as the model for San Chin Kata; a very important element of many karate styles.
A314 
A312 
Crane Arts 
In this case some knowledge of Chinese would be valuable since a number of the presentations are in the form of lectures. The accompaning manual has articles including those listed below and much on the technicalities of White Crane such as foot placement and posture: all written in traditional Chinese.
Some Topics
5.The Art of Swallow and Spit in White Crane Boxing
by Su Zi Qiang (Taiwan Spring Peach Crane)
A313 
DVD#12053 
DVD#12054 
LionBooks 
