Did the Chinese government eradicate Kung Fu?

[@MrCBTman]

I’ve read numerous detailed histories of this problem by experts on the history of various lineages. I believe the combination of government interference and heads of systems changing their own styles for new purposes, along with the mass deaths of many great sifus in the Maoist revolution has been absolutely devastating to traditional CMA in China.

[@aaabbb-py5xd]

Lol, oh the moralizing and the crocodile tears. Every Chinese today would be opposed to the "free world" and its New Cold War, which is nothing short of a Cultural Revolution over the supposedly RiGhtEoUs but very bloody "values" of hUmaN rIGhts, dEmocrAcy, and PhReedOm. Your "belief" about "mass deaths" of "sifus" needs citation. It wouldn't be news if you equivocate there, all the while pretending you know how to virtue signal. Btw, you forget the mass deaths at the hands of the Chinese dictator Chiang Chiang Chiang Kai Shek Shek Shek Bing Bong, whom America had fully supported and armed. Every time you invoke mao you should remember Chiang et al, the gang of puppet thugs that the "free world" had tried to rule China with.

[@ramonlijauco7563]

Wushu athletes did not call themselves martial artists 15 years ago. They referred to themselves as athletes instead. Yes , the CMA were "de-weaponized"

[@damonking76]

​@ramonlijauco7563 GUVMUNTS CANT HAVE CITIZENS[ UNKNOWN] BETTER TRAINED AND DICIPLINED THAN THEIR "F-O-R-C-E-S"!!! JUST PLAIN COMMON SENSE!! THATS WHY TODAY NONE OF THE TRUE PRACTITIONERS ARE REALLY KNOWN!!! THEY "S-T-I-L-L" EXIST BUT "H-I-D-D-E-N"!!!

[@PL22-JudgeDredd]

This is BS. Apparently you have not left your backyard.

[@MrCBTman]

@@PL22-JudgeDredd Explain how what I’ve written is BS.

[@TheJadedSkeptic]

It's goes further back then just Cultural Revolution. Over 22 million Chinese died during the Japanese invasion which started in 1937-1945, many martial practitioners died during that 8 year period. Also during Qing Dynasty there were martial art clans that may have aligned with Ming dynasty remnants that may have been wiped out, as well as the Taiping Rebellion, a civil war that costed millions of lives as well.

[@EddieEndriss]

Do you know of any books that document the Massacre of Masters?

[@GermanSausagesAreTheWurst]

That is the biggest irony of Martial Arts. The thing it was made for, is the thing that is most likely to damage it. All the skill, talent, and training can be gone in an instant, simply from using it as it was meant to be used. Many of the Arts Of War are destroyed by war itself.

[@snowissj]

The stories my master told me of his experience was really bad. The red guards nearly broke his neck, and damaged one of his arteries so very little blood went through it. Caused him bad headaches for decades and probably caused to him to eventually die a few years back.

[@MonkeyStealsPeach]

that's tragic

[@wttao39]

Unfortunately the destruction of Traditional Chinese Martial Arts by the Communists is cruel hardcore reality..... Even stones know today what Mao did to Kung Fu Practitioners , Schools and Shaolin Temples..... He considered them a Feudalistic Relics and erased them totally and completely..... That's why so many Kung Fu Masters and Practitioners defect to Hong Kong, other Asian countries and to the West . The ones who remained were to faithfully serve the communist regime! Today's approach it's a bit different BUT at it's core remaining the SAME if not even worst.... Because methodically, slowly, and purposely the authoritarian regime destroys and erase the traditional Kung Fu Arts and replaced them with modern Wu-Shu which on one hand is Chinese Martial Arts Cultural Product to sell....and on the other is the Creations of Communist innovation..... Practice, cherish and pass on the Traditional Kung Fu so that be kept ALIVE!!!

[@Fighting_Spiritual]

First they destroy it, now they're trying so hard to revive it

[@gendoruwo6322]

just like that with the One Child Policy.

[@goldbrick2936]

hoax

[@aaabbb-py5xd]

Lol who's reviving it? All I see are some noob ass UFC-signed fighters trashing Chinese Kung Fu. These UFC inspired dumbasses are doing exactly what the "big, bad" Chinese government supposedly did. After all, the argument has been the same: Kung Fu is fake. There's only one reason why the "free world" doesn't like the Chinese government, and that's because the Chinese government did something right, something that will render "free world" "leadership" untenable to continue.

[@MohammedKumar-si4ec]

🤣🤣🤣 Is that all what you white westoid can do?? 👉 Constantly talking trash China and wanting China to trip and fall?? 🤣🤣🤣 What a characteristic!!!

[@PL22-JudgeDredd]

Westerners and China haters are so full of crap. The Wudang mountain is still there and so is the Shaolin Temple.

[@williambreazeal387]

Fantastic job covering a complex and highly charged topic.

[@luisbispo5636]

In Tai Chi Chuan also. That kind of modern Tai Chi (24 form) and the other lineages didn't exist until the Cultural Revolution of Mao, once again the politics seems to make more confusion and mess what was already traditional

[@happylobsterpatatas]

The 24 form existed before the Cultural Revolution ;)

[@MohammedKumar-si4ec]

🤣🤣🤣 Is that all what you white westoid can do?? 👉 Constantly talking trash China and wanting China to trip and fall?? 🤣🤣🤣 What a WINNER characteristic!!!

[@zasmirko100]

It was created in 1956 by the request of CCP to heal people at times there almost was not health-care, mainly only "barefoot doctors" (CCP top-politics were exemption of course).

[@kvk7628]

@@zasmirko100 It looks very much like the fake about the creation of Sambo in the USSR. Doctors, of course, only for the Chinese government. In other countries it cannot be like that, there and then and now medicine is for every beggar and free.

[@normanquednau]

I am fortunate and grateful having found a grandmaster in Taiwan, heir of the Monkey Fist door. He states that real Kung Fu includes internal martial arts, being lost in most schools. His master had escaped the revolution in China. Whats really interesting: masters from all over the world are taking lessons from my SiFu, including the abbott of the Shaolin Temple Europe. Thank you for your lovingly put together content!

[@kennethmurray5877]

Your Master is the Baddest Martial Artist on the Internet right now as far as I am concerned. If l lived in Taiwan l would be training with him every week.

[@damonking76]

​@PaMuShinanything they get their hands on gets watered down and commercialised

[@blockmasterscott]

Reminds me of my very first master, Master Baek from Korea. He told me that during the Japanese occupation of Korea the Japanese tried to eradicate Korean martial arts so he had to train in secret. Ironically, he was a big fan of Japanese forms, said they were very practical. We even had Japanese students with us when we trained under him also in the early 90s. As for as your question goes, I say that the Chinese government TRIED to eradicate traditional Kung Fu but failed because either the practitioners went into hiding or left the country to teach in the West. My Chinese master in California told me that his master left China for that reason.

[@MonkeyStealsPeach]

Korea is an interesting case too, as nowadays you have lots of modernly created styles claiming an ancient origin. What style did your teacher practice? It must have been a long time ago for him to have lived through the Japanese occupation

[@blockmasterscott]

@@MonkeyStealsPeach Yeah, he was already in his 60s when I started training under him in 1990. I asked him what style he learned, but he told me he just learned in a monastery when he was young and trained in secret during WW2. He told me that he moved to the States in the 1950s when there was a move to try to force him to learn Tae Kwon Do, which he felt was not practical, kinda like what your video is about China. I remember him saying that the modern TKD forms made in the 50s just had you moving your hands around with no applications, so he refused to learn since he was already an instructor. We never had high kicks, always had mid level punches followed by take downs, stuff like that. But he never once said anything about a style. It was just fighting. He also took me in for lot of free private sessions to teach me meditation. As far as I know, I was the only one in the 90s that he taught mediation to. And the privates were for free too.

[@MonkeyStealsPeach]

Sounds like you learnt some really cool stuff. Would be interesting to see what he was teaching.

[@kvk7628]

Monastery, cave, meditation... I don't believe it! Japanese protectorate over Korea 1905. Completely under Japanese rule since 1910. Did your korean master not attend school (普通學校 and 高等普通學校) in Korea under the Japanese? I'll just remind you that both judo and kendo were part of the empire's school education. Judo and kendo are still very cool in Korea. Most likely he left to avoid being drafted and fighting in the war between the North and the South. And how much can we talk about those who fled because of persecution for kung fu in China? What kind of kung fu is there in the country after 50 years (I'm talking since 1900) of wars on its territory? When everything was decided by trained people and weapons - airplanes, tanks, artillery, etc.? There were no kung fu instructors in Mao's army? Who should have been persecuted for this kung fu?

[@livinginthetruthministries7094]

Awesome! keep spreading the truth about Chinese martial arts as well as history traditions and influence from both China and outside countries.. I have utmost respect for your dedication to your videos!..

[@MonkeyStealsPeach]

Thank you!

[@madjidchouarbi3921]

@@MonkeyStealsPeachCan I ask you what school of Kung Fu you are practicing ?

[@EliteBlackSash]

It seems with almost all KungFu, regardless of whether all the traditional elements are there….. most of the teachers you come across, no matter their place of origin or residence, much of the arts have completely lost proper context. Like, you’ve got a guy showing you a bending scorpion tale kick, or a big windmill “punch” and telling you it’s to defend yourself from a rear attacker. They’re both quite obviously a throw lol. Wing Chun is another great example, much of the lowered hand position and the limited foot shifting is related to weaponry, but you’re told by the teacher it’s guarding the center and shifting your feet to generate more power. Many styles have Luk Dim Boon Gwun.. and have the same foot shifting. But that foot shifting is for the long pole. They have actual live, mobile footwork for the empty hand stuff. Something Wing Chun doesn’t really emphasize much, in comparison. Context. Then there are controversial sayings such as, “Power comes from the soles of the feet.” One guy says it’s referring to Kicking and the other says it means pulling the power up from your root. Most teachers really have no clue how to actually apply what they’re teaching. Even though they may be REALLY GOOD at demonstrating every one of the concepts in a flat footed, controlled demo. In my experience, across various countries, THAT is KungFu’s main problem, and I think the biggest loss for the arts caused by the times of turmoil and the shifting of ideas and purposes. ALL of the best teachers I have met, were all security guards or bouncers or officers at some point. In a club, on a gambling boat, with police / military, whatever form it came in. I think there is a reason for this. If you learned KungFu as a form of exercise for health and strength, it’s totally different purpose for training than whoever the founder is that they’re claiming fought in wars in Fujian in the 1600s. Pretty sure he wasn’t punching Wokou Pirate soldiers with his cannon fist or his one inch punch lol….. Context.

[@EliteBlackSash]

There are many inflection points and so many ups and downs across govts and regimes. For example, Chinese Wrestlers basically being made into street performers. There was also a time when there was thriving bare knuckle fighting competition (men And women) - that was banned as being too barbaric. There was a time when Chinese Wrestling and Fighting was not separated from KungFu / WuShu practice. Etc etc etc. All of the “mess” you mentioned certainly happened in waves, not just under the c c p. In fact, the Sanshou movement and later the Central Martial Arts Institute promoting Sanda are both really good things from the 1930s-1980s. But, the fact Routine Performance and Fighting were separated at the organizational : institutional level is problematic. Most KungFu people I’ve talked to, around the globe, when I suggest they learn Shuaijiao, for example, will reply- “that’s not KungFu.” Meanwhile, the actual writings of Masters from the 1930s and earlier suggest KungFu, Archery, Wrestling, Qin Na, Qi Gong.. these things were not all isolated into neat little separate boxes. Tai Chi people are especially stubborn. Then I simply invite them to view a tournament IN CHEN VILLAGE… and now tell me it’s not standup grappling lol

[@blockmasterscott]

I had the same problem with Japanese forms. People telling me that it's some kind of fancy block when research showed that it was breaking a wrist grab.

[@Fighting_Spiritual]

​@@EliteBlackSash Then these modern instructor always talking about being "honorable" and shiet while the art literally utilize groin and eyes attack...

[@mmurmurjohnson2368]

Well said, kung fu is rife with misunderstandings in range and applications, and it doesn't help that many singular movements do indeed have multiple applications, Tai Chi especially, or are highly based on weapons applications which makes learning them empty handed is a backwards endeavor (( wing chun as you stated)) But yeah, dedicated training in kung fu under realistic contexts, ie. Prison, bouncers, military, bodyguards, or just against actually skilled fighters does yield functional effective forms of the art in actual combat, and it is highly effective

[@Genethagenius]

One of the reasons Wing Chun’a footwork is like that is that it is a Close-Range system. You don’t really meed complex footwork for entering into close-range and fighting there. If you look at traditional Western bare-knuckle boxing, you’ll find the footwork, stances, and even holding of the arms and punches to be very similar. (Now this could very well be an influence from Western bare-knuckle boxing on Wing Chun. But I’d like to think that both systems independently came to the same conclusions). Wong Shun Leung gave a seminar I watched where he discussed the similarities between Western bare knuckle boxing and Wing Chun also.

[@davidlee9493]

The truth is that Kung Fu / Wushu / CMA has, is, and will continue to change and evolve, along with the times. Traditional styles such as Shaolin, Taiji, Xing Yi, Bagua, Mantis, Hung Gar, Choy-li-fut, Wing Chun etc. have all undergone significant changes over the last couple hundred years, quite apart from the social and political upheavals that China has undergone in that time. In the end, much of the arguments really stem from the claim to legitimacy of one's lineage, as well as political leaning, and should be taken with a healthy dose of salt. Many great masters are still carrying on their traditional arts both inside and outside China. Their real enemy, however, is the changing public view on their outdated rites and rituals, lengthy periods of apprenticeship, blind loyalty, jealousy, infighting, lack of unity, lack of objective standards of progression, and most importantly, lack of relevance as an economic means of livelihood. Those that can survive are those who can adapt to new realities and continue to be relevant to society. Those who cannot are doomed to be discarded in the dustbin of history.

[@MonkeyStealsPeach]

Agreed! Well said!

[@blockmasterscott]

This is true. For example, my Choy Li Fut master is as traditional as can be, but has added in ground fighting because of more people studying MMA. We have a BoB right next to the homemade wooden dummy for another example. 😂😂😂

[@Smokin-dragon1111]

I actually learned more about five ancestors from Google and your channel then I learned at Kam lee Kung Fu academy here in Florida so definitely support you anyway I can cheers keep up good works spreading knowledge

[@huzhuiwei]

Damn, there I was groaning at the thought of yet another martial artist banging on about this - but for once a well-balanced, objective video on the subject. Good one Will, nicely done.

[@johnlloyddy7016]

If we're going to go by semantics, then yes. Kung Fu means a very specialized individual skill honed from years of practice. Which is why there were many different individual styles of Kung Fu back then. But Mao's Chinese communist government was not exactly the wellspring of individual achievements and went more in the direction of mass indoctrination. So the term Kung Fu was replaced by Wushu, a more apt reference for the mass standardized training for their army of working class citizens. And so most of the individual Kung Fu masters of old have all migrated to the west or if they stayed were detained and sent to reeducation camps. Which lends credence to the idea that you were more likely to meet and train under an authentic old school Kung Fu master in the West during the 80s and 90s than in China.

[@TtrtRX]

Very good video lad, keep it up

[@mitchjames9350]

The communists did devastating damage to Chinese culture and history.

[@varanid9]

The "Cultural Revolution" was like Biden legitimizing ANTIFA and BLM to do whatever they want for 4 years, LOL!

[@JamesSmith-ny2gb]

They Brought it from a post colonial backwater into a global superpower

[@JamesSmith-ny2gb]

@@varanid9 you are the dumbest kind of person you can find on the internet, you should feel shame for being as dumb s you are

[@sillymesilly]

@@varanid9it was worse

[@sillymesilly]

@@JamesSmith-ny2gbno they didn’t. It was one premier who copiedthe west capitalism

[@coreyrutherford7231]

Thank you Will! I really enjoy these videos and appreciate you keeping politics off your channel.

[@robertstrauss5945]

Thank goodness. Someone not selling their system or their politics but a true love for something worthwhile which can soon be lost much as western martial atrs and knowledge has.

[@franciscofalsettixavier9010]

Very good info and message, Will!! Thank you!

[@ghostdude45]

I'm glad you are making this info easily accessible. I practice a... different version of baguazhang (jiulong baguazhang under shigong John Painter and his contemporaries of the "Li Family" arts). It's nice to be able to learn a little more about the struggle to keep these arts alive cuz my teachers, while they teach our style's history, aren't particularly concerned with delving into this kind of history unless it pertains to the lesson or if they feel like it lol.

[@jonatho85]

Fantastic job here. This is something I had no idea of prior to starting to train Chinese martial arts. And it’s an interesting fact of history. The dispersement of the arts through this immense change. A lot like how WW2 had a tremendous affect on what we know of as Taekwondo as a result of Japanese occupation of Korea. Understanding the reason Choy li fut being found in California more readily than China itself is pretty interesting.

[@zetareticulan321]

Martial arts were also banned during the Qing dynasty. That has got to have something to do with it.

[@nellyfabulous]

Nice work! I think the years of wars from Qing Dynasty rebellions, Colonial era wars, infighting after the fall of the Qing, the two Sino-Japanese wars / WW2, and the Chinese Civil War, didn't help things either. Lots of very good martial artist died in those wars, using old combat methods, to fight modern weapons and methods. Another item to note is, traditional CMAs were most likely associated with barbarism (especially with historic Leitai fights, etc., being a thing in the past) as the times changed and people moved towards notions of civility and modernity. Guessing this caused a huge change in the attitudes of surviving masters as well, focusing a little bit less on fighting applications, and more on the physical health benefits, personal cultivation, etc., sides of CMA to fit in with the changing times within their various contexts. I love Jin Yong's novels, which were made into movies depicting the silly / tragic (IMHO) reasonings behind why people fought each other in Jianghu society. Though fictional, because he came from a notable family who served in the Ming and Qing governments, I don't think was too far from the truth from silly / tragic things that probably happened in actual history. To that regard, old masters probably sometimes didn't pass on certain skills too readily in feudal times because there's always the potential of your students becoming criminals, depending on their background. They, along with a group of people they train (with weapons, because who ever said Kungfu was an empty hand art?), could potentially overwhelm a small remote village's police force before the advent of guns, cars and fast responding police. If the entire local population found out, you were the teacher of an oppressive criminal organization, you'd probably feel like a jackass in society if you couldn't take care of matters that came from your own house, especially within a Chinese Confucian context.

[@MonkeyStealsPeach]

Good points. Militias were a big part of rural Chinese life in the pre-modern era. In fact, to some extent it has carried on into the 20th century, as I remember a guy from a small village in Anhui province telling me where he grew up, villages would often have full on battles with each other with machetes and clubs, right up until the 1990s.

[@mikeposavic9646]

This a great Channel. Our Sifu got out of China because of the CCP.

[@_....J........................]

must have been on the losing side the Blue Shirt fascists

[@JamesSmith-ny2gb]

He sounds like he lost

[@weseaton6821]

I am surprised that you even bought this topic up and spoke about such things. But I love your courage Will, you got big balls my friend and I hope that it doesn't cause you any problems. Thanks for all your hard work helping me (us) to understand the history and origns of kung-fu and it's myriad systems. Bye the way my system of Jooklum Southern praying Mantis arrived during world War 2 to America via Sifu Lum Sang, anyways keep up the great work 👏.

[@brucebooker2227]

Good video, on a topic that has been seldom addressed.

[@donovan665]

I belong to a TMA school whose Grandmaster was a wudang monk before the cultural revolution from an unbroken lineage. His generation were the last unbroken lines in monk boxing and most of them are now lost, a huge loss of esoteric culture.

[@rionuevo5008]

Thank you for this video!

[@thekungfuintellect]

That last statement is 💯 Totally agree!

[@monkeymike6319]

2:47 I think you might have meant Yi He Tuan and not Yi He Quan

[@kneillx1523]

is your channel named from the ball grab move from the leung ting book of the shaolin hall movements!?!

[@MonkeyStealsPeach]

No, it's name after a form in northern mantis

[@skwong1875]

CCP and Chinese use "Shaolin", "tai chi" to make a lot money. The Main lost is "internal power" from real traditional Chinese ku Fu nowadays. Without it, just like dancing.

[@EddieEndriss]

Are there any books documenting the Massacre of Masters?

[@tai_chi_fitness]

I agree with your final statements ❤

[@DAIXINYI]

Good informative video, Will.

[@chrispopsjunior8978]

In China for sure, Wu-shu is just a kind of dance not a martial art... But outside of the PROC the traditional arts still flourish, in HK, Taiwan and then out to the world

[@creightonfreeman8059]

Very good presentation on the situation. It is true the Cultural Revolution greatly damaged traditional martial arts in China, but it definitely did not completely eliminate them, and small pockets of practice remained. While China does not currently discourage TMA practice, the government has given much more official support to the "new", contemporary WuShu practice. You can still find good TMA shifu in China if you know how to look for them though.

[@markohu]

the only thing that I like of modern wushu are the uniforms

[@mistman5640]

The biggest influencer in traditional Chinese martial art in the last 10 years is MMA/UFC. Every martial art style tries prove itself in the ring, even though UFC is nothing like fighting in the iron age. Another one is Olympics. Attempts to pigeon hole Chinese Martial Art in an Olympic format, after success enjoyed by Judo, Taekwondo, and Karate. In other words, Wushu is a sport, not a martial art. Broadly speaking, western influence on China is huge. Not only in terms of the way people dress, but also changes to the Chinese language, food, architecture, and so much more. Nonetheless China is still less western overall compared to Japan and Korea.

[@rodgerhempfing2921]

In Japan, kendo is dying out, the young would rather play baseball.

[@yestoadventure007]

A very good and comprehensive explanation. I too have always been under the impression that Chinese martial arts was decimated and diluted due to the cultural revolution and the creation of modern Wushu. I've mostly been told this from my Chinese teachers who left China n the 50's and 60's. Many of the Kung Fu teachers here in the US, in places like New York City and San Francisco came during the late 60 and early 70's escaping Red guard persecution, so their view was colored by their trauma. I'm still not clear on how much has Kung Fu been affected by the communists, how much has survived and how much has been destroyed? In contrast, how much has Kung Fu been preserved in places Hong Kong Taiwan NY and San Francisco? As far as my Sifu and Si Gung feel they have changed little to nothing of what they have passed down from their teachers.

[@Nevarden]

Do you think cantonese as a language is dying? A language used by many of the older generation kung fu practioners

[@MonkeyStealsPeach]

I think you misunderstand somewhat there. Cantonese has nothing to do with older generation martial artists per se, it is a regional dialect spoken in Guangdong and Hong Kong. Because those places have a large amount of outward migration, you hear a lot more Cantonese spoken in Chinatowns in the west. As to whether it’s dying, I don’t think so, but its use is declining

[@40JoCharles]

Very interesting. Thanks for sharing. 🙂🙏🏼☯️

[@jn846]

in a sad way I am thankful to the Chinese government. Thanks to them a great Chinese Tai Chi Grandmaster came to the US and actually was teaching a Tai Chi class at Boston University in the early 1980s. I lived just a few blocks from the gym and there was a flying on a telephone poll. That's how things were advertised back then. I had done some Kung Fu but heard about Tai Chi and since it was so close I signed up. I was not even a student at BU, they let anyone join! To my great fortune I found Master John Chung Li who was teaching the class. I was able to study with him outside of the class too as he had a studio in an old warehouse in China Town in Boston. I studied with him for 2 years, it was a great honor and privilege. I could tell a few stories about it but will defer for now. Actually there was one time TT Liang a top student of Chen Man Ching came to the studio and was trying to do 2 person dance with Master Li. It was one of the most funniest things I've ever seen. Master Li was hard style Tai Chi and TT Liang who thought the Yang Style but it was a softer style. I studied with both of them. TT Liang was trying to show Master Li the movements but he kept going into these hard poses. TT was getting a bit frustrated with him. For me it was hysterical to watch, but I kept those thoughts to myself of course. I knew they were 2 great masters, just they had different styles. And they were both old and so a bit set in their ways! But I think I might not have been able to study with either of them had not the Chinese government been purging these great teachers from their society. What a terrible tragedy but actually it forced some to flee and teach in America and other parts of the world.

[@JimmyPong]

This is gold.

[@chukueke]

Good video. Tastefully, done. I'm Nathan Chukueke a classmates of Carl Albright. Our teacher was Chiu Leun of 7 Star Mantis in NYC. I also know Jeff Hughes. I was in HK numerous times during the 1980s. You can just Google my name and the word interview. Anyway, I saw firsthand some of the fallout, so the so-called cultural revolution and what some did to survive. It was not a pretty site if one understood what was happening. Keep up the good work. I'm into video production, too, actually, but most non profit production quality archive and research movement stuff. Peace

[@MonkeyStealsPeach]

Hi Nathan, we should chat sometime! I’m interested to hear more about your experience in HK, and about Mantis

[@taiwaninsider8919]

Interesting to see that this debate is still going on. When I learnt traditional Chinese martial arts in the 1990s, virtually every teacher I encountered in Taiwan and Hong Kong (including many I didn't actually train with, just spoke to) had a very low opinion of the 'new martial arts' taught in the PRC. I think the concensus was generally that - Maoist era aside - while they didn't want to actually destroy traditional martial arts completely, the CCP could see no benefit in allowing ordinary citizen to learn effective fighting skills, so they sought to reserve them for the elite units of the Peoples' Armed Police and the like, where party loyalty was not a question. However, it's pretty obvious from the many videos on this site that traditional martial arts are alive and well in China. That said, I have to admit my jaw dropped to learn on another video that they actually now have special schools reserved for 'foreigners' to learn Chinese martial arts in China! Like so many other aspects of life, the CCP obviously would like to have control over the martial arts courses available to foreigners in China.

[@charlesstepp2083]

As a student of tai ji chuan, the bullshit has lead in to darkness 😢

[@winfieldjay2324]

Two Documentaries you should see and see if you recognize anyone. 1: Kung Fu quest 2 White Crane Boxing 2: Kung Fu quest Xing Yi Ben Yuan I couldn't believe it when I saw them.

[@MonkeyStealsPeach]

Yep, many of the same people from my videos

[@winfieldjay2324]

@@MonkeyStealsPeach It was funny seeing them so young. That White Crane master didn't believe that hung kuen Crane beak technique was real. He said only in the movies the crane beak was real. He's a white crane master and he didn't believe it was the real thing.

[@cicerobezerramelo3621]

Waiting for Bak Sil Lum, or , Northern Shaolin history ;)

[@woozskee]

Did the boxer rebellion kill more kung fu?

[@MonkeyStealsPeach]

That’s a good question, and something I would need to look into more. I’d say most likely yes

[@blockmasterscott]

I would definitely say yes to that.

[@johnchiang485]

Actually, boxer rebellion were created for repelling the foreigners through real & mysticism of Chinese kung fu. In turn, it created more animosity between the parties.

[@ricardonascimento9461]

They tried so many time, since the destroy of Shaolin Temple.

[@kvk7628]

(Google translate, Russian word order preserved 😀 ) The question in the topic has already been answered. It could have been done in 10 seconds. I look at videos and photos of China before 1949 - a healthy nation, no wars or epidemics for 100 years, the whole country is on the rise. (Sarcasm) The demographics of China in the English Wiki are generally "wonderful", reminds me of the same thing about Russia: everything was fine, but then the communists came and that's it: hunger, cold, wars, dictators, no freedom of speech, wushu and karate were banned, all the masters were either killed or imprisoned for nothing. I couldn't resist adding about the English Wiki: it writes about Qing that from 1700 to 1850 it increased from 150 million to 450 million people. But in the next paragraph: 1810, 1811, 1846, 1849 died (it is assumed, i.e. no one counted them) 45 million people. Next, again losses of 30 million before 1873, famine of 1877-78. BUT!!! 😁 The biggest famine is called "the largest of the 20th century and in the entire history of China (!)" 1958-61. 😮 Now the figure is 42 million (by 2040 in Wikipedia it will increase 5 times Why didn't you write 100 million right away?) In the table there, under the communists, the population grew from 1950 to 2020 from 546 million to 1,411 million (!). In 70 years, the population increased 3 times under the communists, which is the same as in 300 years under the Qing. The communists are trying to starve people to death, but it doesn't work. They didn't try under the Qing, but it worked. How so? Вопрос поставлен уже с ответом. Можно было за 10 секунд. Смотрю на видео и фото Китая до 1949 года- здоровая нация, уже 100 лет нет ни войн, ни эпидемией, вся страна на подъеме. Сарказм. Демография Китая в английской Вики вообще "замечательная", напоминает тоже самое про Россию: было все хорошо, но пришли коммунисты и все: голод, холод, войны, диктаторы, свободы слова нет, ушу и каратэ запретили, всех мастеров или убили или посадили ни за что. Не удержался дописать про английскую Вики: пишет про Цин, что с 1700 года по 1850 г. увеличилось с 150 млн до 450 млн человек. Но в следующем абзаце: 1810, 1811,1846, 1849 умерло ( предполагается, т е. их никто не считал) до 45 млн человек. Но мы читали выше, что выросло вдвое(!) Далее, опять потери 30 млн до1873, голод 1877-78 гг. НО!!!😁 Самым большим голодом называют " крупнейший 20 века и за всю историю Китая" 1958-61 гг. 😮 Сейчас цифра 42 млн., Почему сразу 100 млн не написали ? В таблице там же при коммунистах население выросло с 1950 по 2020 с 546 млн до 1 411 млн (!). За 70 лет в 3 раза при коммунистах увеличилось население, это столько же сколько за 300 лет при Цинах. Комми пытаются заморить людей, а не получается. При Цин не пытались, а получалось. Как так? (Google translate, Russian word order preserved 😀 ) The question in the topic has already been answered. It could have been done in 10 seconds. I look at videos and photos of China before 1949 - a healthy nation, no wars or epidemics for 100 years, the whole country is on the rise. (Sarcasm) The demographics of China in the English Wiki are generally "wonderful", reminds me of the same thing about Russia: everything was fine, but then the communists came and that's it: hunger, cold, wars, dictators, no freedom of speech, wushu and karate were banned, all the masters were either killed or imprisoned for nothing. I couldn't resist adding about the English Wiki: it writes about Qing that from 1700 to 1850 it increased from 150 million to 450 million people. But in the next paragraph: 1810, 1811, 1846, 1849 died (it is assumed, i.e. no one counted them) 45 million people. Next, again losses of 30 million before 1873, famine of 1877-78. BUT!!! 😁 The biggest famine is called "the largest of the 20th century and in the entire history of China (!)" 1958-61. 😮 Now the figure is 42 million (by 2040 in Wikipedia it will increase 5 times Why didn't you write 100 million right away?) In the table there, under the communists, the population grew from 1950 to 2020 from 546 million to 1,411 million (!). In 70 years, the population increased 3 times under the communists, which is the same as in 300 years under the Qing. The communists are trying to starve people to death, but it doesn't work. They didn't try under the Qing, but it worked. How so?

[@josenwushangkehan]

Yes in a way ....after 1949 , PRC replaced Jingwu Guoshu into Wushu. Wushu today does represent the kungfu should be ...the usage of flexible cold weapons alone already making kungfu too demure. Not to mention over " artistic" liberties in perforning forms becoming too stage like. Worse of ALL, the misrepresentation of weapons based CMA vs Quanfa ( empty hand forms) .... When it comes to Martial arts tradition are always involved weapons... Quanfa meant to strengthen body to aid in self defense and to help training to coordinate body movement in using weapons. But Wushu blurred those lines....

[@fujitafunk]

Fantastic video Will! I hope to see more tea time videos in the future. Do you think you could do a video focusing on your BJJ training? I think there's a huge stigma against the combat sport-martial arts in the traditional martial arts community (and vice-versa). I think it would be beneficial to help us broaden our horizons even more. How you see grappling arts and striking arts intermingling from your perspective of BJJ and Mantis? And if Mantis or any of your traditional practice has aided you with your BJJ? Again, your content is always a treat when I see it pop up in my subscriptions. Keep up the great work!

[@MonkeyStealsPeach]

Thanks a lot! I actually answered that exact question in the last Q&A that I did

[@_....J........................]

History won't let us go, so it is important to understand its complexities, so we can all get by safely!

[@rodgerhempfing2921]

Its so true, ask a 18 yr old to hold a horse stance for half a hour the traditional way, not going to happen.

[@ST3ALER63]

come to vancouver

[@paulrobinson3944]

Wushu = 45% gymnastics / 45% acrobatics & 10% Martial Basics without self defense! Old Kungfu represents {Ti / Kicking -- Da / Punching & striking -- Qin Na / Joint Locking (Kam Na in Cantonese) & Shuai Jiao / Chinese wrestling similar to Kodokan Judo & Goshin Jujutsu. Old style Kungfu also has Iron Sand Palm (Tie Sha Zhang) / Iron body (Jing Zhong Zhao - Golden Bell Cover) as well as Dian Mai / Dim Mak in Cantonese & Dian Xue / Dim Yuet in Cantonese. Of course these were kept secret & passed on only from father to son & sometimes indoor disciples.Even George Xu has talked about the difference in Taijiquan taught to outdoor students vs indoor disciples.

[@copycatkaraoke]

Cultural Massacre, really.

[@georgesabitpol]

I think in modern culture, saving face is a big culprit too

[@MonkeyStealsPeach]

For sure, if you are so afraid to lose you will never win

[@taekfute]

This some order 66 type shit

[@brentwalker8596]

The Cultural Revolution eliminated many of the practitioners and traditional lineages of various forms of native medicine. In much the same way as martial arts, Deng Xiaoping's efforts resulted in an organized governmental program of finding, organizing, and standardizing specializations such as acupuncture, herbalism, massage, energy work, etc., into what is today known as TCM.

[@gosunflower]

Great vid

[@brucemoose926]

The Japanese government regards Japanese Martial Arts a national treasure and supports the arts. This is one reason why I don't Japanese and also Korean Martial Arts seem more organized. I don't think the Chinese government does that. In fact, I heard that Tae Kwon Do was promoted because it had made into a Olympics sport and the CCP wants gold metals. Is it true that TKD is actually more popular in China than Kung Fu?

[@MonkeyStealsPeach]

Japan and Korea are definitely doing a much better job of preserving and promoting martial arts. The Chinese government does have some policies to try to preserve martial arts, but they are incredibly corrupt and ineffective. It's mostly cronyism, with the money going in pockets, and not to the masters or schools. This is something I saw first hand while living there. And yes, TKD is very popular in China. Parents love sending their kids to learn it because its has well structured and organised classes, and you can get regular gradings.

[@1mataleo1]

It’s disturbing for me to even think about the amount of manuals, records, and knowledge that was irretrievably lost/destroyed during the Communist purge of mainland China. Without such records, it’s very difficult to distinguish the real from the false; completely fabricated styles, histories, stories, techniques and training methods, forms, etc. can be created by someone without any real fear of being found out, mainly because all of the records and evidence that could otherwise expose the truth have been lost or destroyed. It’s a real tragedy. I don’t doubt that some traditional martial arts and their training methods have survived, but I would imagine that most of the famous, high level masters were the first to be killed,, so the ones who survived and were tasked with preserving the art were probably of comparatively lesser skill. That said, I think that too much importance is placed on finding and preserving the pre-communist forms and techniques of the styles. In my opinion, the true treasures of Chinese martial arts are the principles (often via Kuen Kit/Quan Pu) and the Attainment Training (Nei Dan & Wai Dan Martial Qi Gong, power generation methods, etc). Humans only have two arms and two legs, so there aren’t any “secret techniques “ to be lost. There are only so many ways that a person can use his body in combat effectively, and because that is universal, none of it was lost. However, the principles are the essence of a style, and they allows one to make effective use of it; the chosen combination of such principles are what make the style unique. Without those principles , the movements are meaningless, even if one knows all the physical movements. On the other hand, knowing the principles, one can create techniques that are in accord with the style, even if they don’t know a single movement. And the attainment methods and force generation training are what allows one to forge their body into a weapon so that the techniques can be used effectively in actual combat, and the necessary force appropriate to the techniques can be generated (eg its pointless to practice spear hand strikes if you can’t strike an enemy with it full force without breaking your fingers).

[@RocknRollkat]

I was taught that Mao made ALL martial arts illegal in 1949. (Similar to gun control.) Then in 1955 he instituted a national physical fitness plan featuring the Yang 24 form specifically created for this program. your thoughts please. B ill P.

[@frankmartinez4856]

Mao! Study martial arts, he knew how powerful it was 😳over throwned each Dynasty 😬

[@ragemydream]

well said.

[@Krapahamaru]

I would not doubt it. Like guns in USA, Kung Fu is probably considered a threat to their power.

[@ruiseartalcorn]

Very interesting :)

[@felipedasilva8499]

No

[@MaorFarnesi]

烏龍茶 has always been my favorite ❤️🤲👌 And anyway and always: 反清復明!!! 💪

[@dantankunfiveancestorsfist]

The Boxer Rebellion is concentrated in North China and supported by the Empress Dowager the failure of that rebellion was due to the fact that in South China they did not support the Boxer rebellion many TCMA masters view those spiritual claim that those boxers are immune to bullets or swords are BS they do not want to have anything to do with it plus, in the South resistance against the Qing was strong and many southern Qing commanders refused to obey the Empress edict or orders to rise up and attack all foreign legation and military forces. In 1910 with the fall of the Qing the Republic of China was form in South China. TCMA back then are the backbone of governing dynasties looking after their respective district, villages or regions they act as militia and as local authority settling disputes, protecting their areas from bandits that was why government always turn to gain the loyalty of TCMA associations. The communist concern was mainly that they can not allow those TCMA clubs to exist it has to be put under their control. The communist introduce the simplified Chinese writing as part of their cultural reformation. Today, TCMA has become irrelevant many of the old weapons have now been replaced with wu shu type weapons the forms have just become a form no longer emphasize for fighting plus the role of TCMA clubs has become more of a social club. TCMA is however expanding well in action movies.

[@kennethmurray5877]

I believe it's 100 % True. Based on multiple conversations with my Sifu and other teachers. Also my own research. All you have to do is study the Boxer Rebellion and the Communist Revolution. In the twenties Shanghai China was considered the most dangerous city on earth and Kung Fu fighters were looked on like we look at ISIS in the Middle East. The Govt, Military, lntelligence Services, and the Triads have the real knowledge in today's era.

[@faeragon]

Did the Chinese government eradicate Kung Fu? No, but they contributed to its decimation.

[@markohu]

there are many styles of traditional gong fu dosent exist in China nowdays

[@MonkeyStealsPeach]

From my experience having traveled through most of China documenting martial arts practice, most styles can still be found. There are some exceptions, I have found some family systems that are now only practiced in Southeast Asia.

[@stefanschleps8758]

They did!

[@Lu-MingPan-b5w]

Very few people practice kung fu in Taiwan. TKD is more popular. Kung Fu is alive and well in China.

[@MonkeyStealsPeach]

When I was in Taiwan I found a lot of Kung Fu practiced. Perhaps I was lucky because I had introductions to teachers. That said, I didn't see any practiced in the parks like you see in China or Hong Kong.

[@Lu-MingPan-b5w]

@@MonkeyStealsPeach Those that practice kung fu in China are way more skillful than those in Taiwan and there are more serious practicing it as well. I can confirm that as a local who now resides in China.

[@strettoasino9006]

Kissing Boots are a modern way of living....

[@Tunks1]

👏👏👏

[@afreespirit5444]

The Chinese gov wants everyone speaking Mandarin and discourage local dialects. Younger generation have trouble with their local dialect. I saw a Wing Chun video (i can't find it again sorry) by a foreign visitor going to the instructor who was speaking Mandarin. I didn't recognize any hand positions (eg bong sao, fuk sao, ...etc) mentioned. Something just felt wrong imho hearing Southern Chinese martial arts described not using Cantonese or Fukienese

[@_....J........................]

you want us all to speak English. LOL.

[@MonkeyStealsPeach]

This is very true. I lived in Shanghai for a long time, and Shanghainese is heavily discouraged in public. There is one or two local TV stations in Shanghainese, but mostly just aimed at old people. It is a double edged sword though, because on the one hand, local dialects are an important part of cultural heritage, but on the other, not knowing Mandarin can limit people’s ability to find opportunities outside of their own region.

[@非常道]

I'm so glad I've found your channel. I'm gonna dig into your videos. I'm in China now and I'm interested in Chinese culture and history. And not a fan of the CCP

[@bieddruhuggyfalsaperla5447]

Smart man. Tow the party line so you can keep doing your thing in China. I wouldn't want to get kicked out either.

[@swagpeach9850]

Will we ever see u spar

[@1234rizw]

why were u always looking down. it's like u are reading a script from the ccp but anyways good analysis tho

[@unequivocaldao1728]

Gender free?

[@osomdaran]

Please don't be apolytical. Otherwise your historical content will always be introductory.

[@MonkeyStealsPeach]

If I got too political, I wouldn’t be able to go back to China and document more martial arts

[@mynameismynameis666]

you either get blocked by china for being to critical of china or you get blocked by youtube for being to critical of the western narrative, or both. either way - let's just not go there...@@MonkeyStealsPeach

[@Gary-zq3pz]

Kung Fu is a fairly formalized fighting style with certain set rules of engagement. It isn't real fighting, where you wade in and gouge your opponents eyes out. It can be effective though...

[@VanishingNomad]

I havent watched the video yet. Just replying to the title. Real Kung Fu has not been eradicated. However, its really hard to find inside of China. It's easier to find it outside of China. We had a lot of great Kung Fu in Chicago, when I was young, for example.

[@MonkeyStealsPeach]

From my experience in China, it’s not hard to find at all. Just need to get up early in the morning and go to the parks. Knowing some Chinese helps too

[@olgaalexandrova6538]

Thank you!

[@alfiemom8892]

*PromoSM*

[@strettoasino9006]

I'm unsubscribed as of now to this channel...

[@EntertheDragonChild]

Yip Man fled to Hong Kong 🇭🇰 from Maoist China 🇨🇳

[@JasonKing-m6m]

You guys are all hesitant to accept that Kung Fu, is like old fairy stories for adults....get out of your fantasies...

[@therealdeal2163]

RUBBISH !!

[@DG-oo8zf]

No