I’ve oft heard it quoted that people get the government they deserve…
I also might remind you that the cultural revolution couldn’t have happenned without hordes of people destroying traditional knowledge and killing or incarcerating the intelligensia.
So, no, I don’t think it was all Mao’s fault.
Not all, of course. But it only takes a few troublemakers to make a hell of a lot of trouble, especially in a dictatorship.
But the Cultural Revolution does not explain the almost total apathy towards kung fu in non-Communits Chinese countries. I’m certain that even if the Cultural Revolution hadn’t occurred, that kung fu’s popularity would still lag far behind non-Chinese martial arts in such places.
You also hear many Chinese say, “Why waste time with kung fu? It doesn’t earn you any money.” Then they praise TKD or karate, as if spending time on them would be any more profitable. Worse yet, I observed more people interested in badminton in Taiwan than in kung fu.
It seems like only in the old Bruce Lee or kung fu movies will you see Chinese upholding the name of kung fu against the “evil foreign martial arts.” The reality contradicts that. Maybe they now prefer the more systematic teaching approaches of TKD, karate, aikido, etc. Then if you ask them about why they would choose a Korean (or Japanese) MA over their own, they will pull out that tired old routine of “TKD and karate both originated in China anyway, so it’s Chinese.” I don’t agree. The roots of both arts originated in China, but, for example, the karate that has evolved on mainland Japan has become uniquely Japanese and therefore can no longer be called Chinese MA. Just like the Chinese do not call their arts Indian martial arts.
Jim
Hi Jimbo.
When you make statement about CHina and their view of CMA.
You can replace China with Japan,etc. and Chinese with Japanese,etc.
Most Asian nations now see their own MA as part of History and something that a few nutcases practice.
AS for studying Arts from another nation, it is a sign of the times. The Grass always looks greener on the other side, but today People got an Option to sample it.
“Most Asian nations now see their own MA as part of History and something that a few nutcases practice.”
This goes everywhere. You don’t see people of european decent practicing their medevil martial arts that much. My Great Grandparents came from Greece but I don’t practice pankration. As easy as communication has become every nation has influence from others. I don’t see it as a great tragedy, cureent times have allowed me to study kungfu so I am greatful.
Yep,
I should also be training in medieval Broadsword and the like.
But rather go further back, when my Ancestors stopped the Romans coming north, or newer when we stopped the Turks from invading Europe.
Instead I hit both Ears with Tiger Paw hands and the like.
Jimbo and everyone we got to do something
" Why do you do Kungfu, Kendo is more useful" How on EARTH IS TIPTOEING OVERLARGE CHOPSTICKS BETTER.
I GET THIS **** FROM ONE OF MY KOREAN FRIENDS WHO PREFER JUDO.
He claims its the "Ultimate Martial art " cause it uses someone strenght against them. I told him a million styles of kungfu including Tai chi chaun and Ba Gua Zhang do this, and that Judo is merely what you get when you modifiy Ju-jutsu but he still comes with that any, why judo?
WHY CAUSE ITS CULTURLY ACCEPTABLE.
Its said but its true, in Asia culture is the thing. but in America as also we just want the best, no matter where it comes from.
Yip Man must be kicking in his grave right now. for not teaching every student the full version of his art.
What good is Kungfu or Martial arts in general if its in a Continent were no one cares about it.
Iam sorry maybe I missread but KENDO more USEFUL then KUNGFU
not inm a fight.
KENDO more USEFUL then KUNGFU
Yeah, you’re right. Why am I wasting my time training my body to take on psycho rapists twice my size with my bare hands, when I could be learning something useful, like becoming one of those cool Benihana guys.
I admit, I only carry my sword in public for show (hangs head).
gung hay fat choy!
My point
you said it.
When I took chinese as a language course a few semisters ago. the teacher of course was an old chinese man (i would say maybe his late 70’s). he didn’t like the japanese because according to him they stole chinese culture. he used to tell us about him as a kid during the occupation of japanese. the funny thing is we had japanese students in the class and when he would talk about it he would look at the japanese students with a firey glaze. but he loved kung fu though.
Yup, my boss in Taiwan used to tell me Kendo was more useful than kung fu, why don’t I learn it instead?
As far as the Chinese language teacher who hated Japanese people, well that’s his problem, regardless what happened 60 years ago. He’s glaring at I bet a bunch of young people who had nothing to do with the occupation.
Hey, I’m Japanese but I prefer kung fu. I still respect Japanese martial arts, but kung fu feels more natural for me.
Jim