From: exudms@exu.ericsson.se (New Dave)
Newsgroups: rec.martial-arts
Subject: Shao Lin revisited
Date: 17 Aug 92 23:56:31 GMT
Reply-To: exudms@exu.ericsson.se
Organization: Ericsson Network Systems, Inc.

>Dear  Dave,

>I believe you had some misconception about Kung Fu and Wu shu.    >Literally translated "Wu" means Martial and "Shu" means Art.
>Kung Fu means skill.  

Yes, I know the translations. This IS a literal trans., but the termenology that I am refering to is different. What something is called, and what something translates to be does not necessarily mean the same thing. This means that it should have been named:
Example-
1) The Chinese art of "xxxx Kung Fu" should have been called "xxxx Wu Shu", but it is not known this way.
2) The newly developed art of "Wu Shu" should have been known as "Kung Fu", but it is not called Kung Fu so that the names are not confused.
This is what I am trying to convey.
 
>  Chinese martial arts are split into many types.  For example, Nei Kung, Chi >Kung, Qing Kung, Kung Fu,
>etc.  Therefore, Wu Shu means that they are teaching you more than just
>Kung Fu.  

??? Are you saying Chi Kung and Nei Kung each is A martial art? Or in fact is it an exersize, tool, or technique of a martial art.

>Shaolin martial arts still exists today, there are 300+ authentic
>shaolin martial arts manuals still in existence in China.
 
Of course Shaolin martial arts exist today, it is a popular martial art. I don't know what you are talking about the manuals, 300+ and all that. What are you refering to?

> To be exact, the popular chi kung "Yi Jin Jing" is from Shaolin. 

yes Yes YES!

>>"Wu Shu" is reminiscent and repensentational of Kung Fu. It is very athletic,
> >acrobatic and physical. It looks good, but it is missing alot of importance. 
>>I watch some of the KF movies that C is producing. They are good and they try 
> >to be authentic as possible nowadays, but the actors are clearly doing Wu Shu 
>>and not true Shao Lin Kung Fu techniques. 

>What you mentioned above is not Wu Shu but Xa Ji.  It looks like
>martial arts but it is not.  It is mainly used by opera singers to perform
>battle scene of an opera.  It looks good but is not really a martial arts.

I have not been to Bejing to see the Opera there, but in Taiwan I noticed the performers using something like a "Watery Long Fist". For shure it is a northern style. I am not shure I've heard of Xa Ji.

>There are still real monks in existence that practise Shaolin 
>Martial arts. 
 
I would tend to think that they are practicing what their intentions were and that is Bhuddist religion. But original Shao Lin Kung Fu?

> The most well known to the Chinese Community now is 
>probably Li Lian Jie (Alias Jet Lee).  This is due to the popular
>movie Shaolin Temple that he starred in.  To be exact most of the actors
>in the show are authentic Shaolin Temple Monks.

What I know of Li is that he IS becomming quite popular. And he was A national (Da Lu) "Wu Shu" champion there. I have seen most of the movies he's made.  HE/THEY ARE VERY GOOD, BUT... they are clearly performing "Wu Shu" and not traditional Kung Fu.
 
>If you are really interested in watching a good Martial Art Movie
>try "Once upon a time in China Part 1 and 2(Alias Wong Fei Hong Part 1 and >2)
>produced be Tsui Hark.  It starred Jet Lee and the fighting sequence is the
>best I have seen ever.  (Incusive of all western and eastern movie).

Yes, the movie is about Wong Fei Hong, the Great,Great Grand Master of Hung Gar (Hong Chuen) today. Mr. Li did not perfom any thing that even looked like Hung Gar in the movie! do you know what I mean. The only thing that was pretty close was the short southern Lion dance segment that was on  the first part of the movie, part 1. My Sifu and my wife (which knows a little history) said that the film twisted the history a little too. 
But if you must know, I did enjoy "Once upon a time in China" and the other Shaolin film he made. I saw a film in Taiwan he made recently in LA that I didn' t like. It was about modern times in that City. Wasn't very good (I forgot the title).

>Well, this is message is not meant as an insult..just trying a 
remove some misconception.

Yes, I hope this does remove some misconception. Thank you for your example to support my defense.
							>Jian Ke (Swordsman)

/New Dave