Martial Arts in China - Report Example

Martial Arts in China Martial art is widely referred to as Kung fu. It forms a great part of the history of Chinese. The arts are a form of Chinese Literature which is highly practical in nature. Kung fu is codified principles and traditions of fight that are put into practice for several reasons like competition, self-defense, fitness, physical health and entertainment (Daily China p 21). There has been a notion that Kung fu entails aggression, brutality, physical confrontation and related problems like injuries (Theeboom et al, p 56). This is not entirely, what the teachings of martial arts entail. This paper seeks to provide an historical background of Kung fu and provide an argumentation about it. Background of Kung Fu In as much as martial arts have been predominantly linked to fighting in Eastern Asia, it was originally linked to the European combat systems which began from 1550s (Daily China p 23). The term is coined from Latin and is often used to mean art of mars in reference of the Roman war god. Some scholars have argued and posited that the fighting systems, in a way, would tend to be more appropriate because martial arts were not ‘martial’ since they were used by professional warriors. Like most forms of martial arts, the origin of Chinese martial art is attributed to the dire need of self defense, improve the techniques of hunting and foster military training in the ancient China (Daily China p 21). Scholars have posited that the arts originated from the Xia Dynasty, over 4,000 years ago. Yellow Emperor Huangdi came up with the earliest systems of fighting in China. General who is also known as the Yellow Emperor was initially a writer who wrote a lot of articles on astrology, medicine and martial arts before he became a leader in China. The ideas that are linked to Kung fu in China evolved together and concurrently with the evolution that occurred in the whole Chinese society. Over time, these ideas attained philosophical grounds. Passages in the Daoist texts contain psychology and martial arts practice. Zhuanzi is an eponymous author that historically lived during the 4th century BC (Teo p 56). Dao De Jing is a text that entails principles that are mostly applicable to martial arts. Classical texts of written by Confucianism talks of archery and charioteering to be parts of six arts. The arts entailed rites, mathematics, calligraphy and music. After the end of the civil war, martial arts in China went through international dissemination (Daily China p 11). This was followed by the establishment of the People’s Republic of China. Renowned martial artists opted to escape from the rule in PRC and migrated to Taiwan and other parts globe. The martial arts began to teach the Chinese oversea communities. Later they also taught other communities and their teachings expanded. In China, the traditional martial art practices were discouraged in the years that marked the Chinese Cultural Revolution. These years were turbulent in China. Martial arts underwent radical changes just like other aspects of tradition in China (Teo p 89). This was an initiative of the by the PRC in order to align the martial arts teachings to Maoist doctrines. The PRC went ahead to promote a sport that was community based and was regulated to replace the martial arts. This sport was called Wushu. It was disassociated from the subversive aspects of self defense and the lineages of martial arts in China. The government of China came up with All-China Wushu Association purposely for regulation of the training of martial arts (Daily China p 21). Fortunately, the suppression of Kung fu was relaxed in the era of reconstruction. This is because communist ideology was being popularized and was more linient on the martial arts. In 1998, rapid changes in government policies led to the eventual closing of States Sports Commission (Teo p 90). This led to the promotion of both traditional approaches like the Kung fu and the Wushu. Even though Chinese martial arts forms intend to depict realistic techniques of the martial arts, the movements revealed are never identical to the way the techniques can be applied in a real combat. Most forms are too elaborate for application. Most Chinese artists of martial arts have nowadays become very critical of the notion that the forms work is deemed relevant, more than the art and the drilling. Lately, there has been a debate on martial arts (Teo p 30). The debate on whether to adhere to the teachings of martial arts started as early as the time when the People’s Republic of China was founded. The PRCs attempts to promote Wushu and kill traditional arts like Kung fu is a depiction of how much the debate had heightened and had spread all over China (Teo p 34). The migration of masters of martial arts to other regions of the continent like Hong Kong and Taiwan reveal a people and a form of Literature that was discontented by the constant infringement and lack of freedom it was being subjected to in its place of origin (Theeboom et al, p 57). The migration of the artists depicts a rift that a section of the society had with the teachings of Kung fu. The rifts have led to the modern day controversies surrounding Chinese Martial arts. In a world of uncertainty like the one today, the need for physical defense is inevitable (Daily China p 21). The modern cities that crop in the world today do not guarantee safety to the inhabitants. Each day, there is rise in the rate of crime. People who live in dangerous urban centers will affirm to the fact that it is meaningless to wait for security and other law enforcements to arrive and provide security to them at their hour of need. The availability of the security itself do not offer ample solutions since most of these officers are corrupt and incompetent. Others go to the extremes of not willing to provide the need security (Teo p 34). In as much as violence is depicted to be wrong, this line of thought can work best in a rational and peaceful society. However, the thieves in the streets rarely abide to the law and are not expected to be rational with their targets. In a case where one is confronted by a criminal in the street, there is need for one to be ready of a fight to defend his or herself in order to survive (Birrer &Halbrook p 408). Therefore, martial arts training will provide enough combat skills that can enable one to escape in such a situation. Martial arts have provided employment to very many people all over the world (Teo p 33). Today, Kung Fu has been adopted in creation of films and it has popularized the cultural heritage of the Chinese. Renowned actors like Bruce Lee, Jet Lee, Jackie Chan and Donnie Yen have popularized the Kung Fu films so much so that today, the industries generate a lot of revenue from the films which have got a wide following all over the world (Teo p 34). So many other actors have ventured in this field and are earning a lot of money. Kung fu related competitions have also seen participants gain fame, recognition, respect and money. Kung Fu Teachings The teachings or lessons that come with martial arts are completely beneficial to the whole being of an individual (Birrer &Halbrook p 409). Kung fu advocates for trainees to never compare themselves with others. According to martial arts literature, human beings can never be the same. There are always people that are better than you are, and of course, there are some you are better than. If one bases his or her self worth relatively to others, the person is bound to lose The teachings advocate for lack of short cuts in life (Daily China p 23). The journey that martial arts follow is composed of so many adversities. It brings one to a destination which in real case stands away from the goals that were initially set. However, this is what a person needs for full growth. Such journey can be challenging and may make a trainee doubt his or herself in the process (Theeboom et al, p 56). The teachings proclaim that human beings are never as good as they presume or bad as they want to believe. The journey of a person is expected to be difficult but then it is worth it for the person to be strong in faith and appreciate the reason for living. Kung Fu posits that competition is indeed a game but it does not define a person. In a competition, there are two inevitable end results (Birrer &Halbrook p 408). There is going to be the winner and the looser. Competition is good for the evaluation of progress. The fact that one participant in a competition comes out a winner do not mean that he or she is more superior to the rest according to the teachings of Kung fu or martial arts. In the same reason, the looser in a competition is never the weakest in real life (Daily China p 20). These two results are just the satisfaction of a competition and do not depict the character of an individual in real life. Therefore, there is no need to get demoralized when one fails to achieve a particular goal. Instead, this should strengthen the spirit of one to work harder. Martial arts explain that the best way to learn is to teach (Daily China p 23). When a concept does not flow in comprehension easily, teaching it enables the increment of skill the skills dramatically. Therefore, people are advised to disseminate knowledge and skills in any manner. In a nut shell, my support for martial arts is primarily based on lessons attributed to it (Daily China p 22). The teachings of martial arts are health and they do not propagate violence as spread by notions. The teachings are inspirational and have helped so many people all over the world to achieve their life goals. The teaching also fosters brotherhood and thus creating harmonious living in the society. In spite of all the merits studied above, Kung fu cannot escape from several blames in the society (Birrer &Halbrook p 410). Martial arts have been predominantly blamed for orchestrating and spreading violence. As an art, the basic teaching that is given to trainees is self defense. This entails equipping the trainees with combat skills to fight enemies upon confrontation (Theeboom et al, p 56). Troubles have often emanated when the artist fight other people and injure or even go to the extreme of killing (Daily China p 24). They take advantage of the skills that they learn in Kung fu to harm others. Some unscrupulous individuals have also used the combat skills in crime. They rob others using the fighting techniques that they are taught. This is very wrong and should not be accepted since it defames Kung Fu. Studies reveal that fights have often occurred between different schools of martial arts (Daily China p 24). These fights are propagated by the mental battle of superiority which is materialized physically. These fights cannot be avoided as each school of martial arts has the tendency of trying to outpace the other (Birrer &Halbrook p 408). The reason for this aggression also is based on the fact that the schools want to inform others that their combat methods are the best. Often, these battles are legal and are staged in a ring. However, cases have been reported about the students engage in real fight after the ring. Most Kung Fu movies have attempted to expose this dirty side of martial arts. Some martial art masters have been accused of fueling such fights that have led to injuries. During the formation of the People’s Republic of China, the country was facing a sudden revolution in all sectors (Birrer &Halbrook p 409). The new nation had set plans that would enable it develop economically, politically and industrially. China wanted to be in the helm of world in terms of development. The ambitious nation thus compelled all institutions of learning to inculcate the above objectives in their teachings. In other words, the PRC was transforming all traditional institutions to align them with development. Martial arts had been accused of not fostering development as it ideally did not provide industrial skills training. It delved mostly on the spiritual growth of a person and the need of self-defense (Birrer &Halbrook p 408). Kung fu was more philosophical yet China needed applicable and ready solutions. Therefore, the government de-popularized it by replacing it with the Wushu sports (Daily China p 23). In a critical look, the Chinese government is right. Kung fu had been a traditional education set up that did not contribute positively to the development of the nation. Even today this is reflected. To crown it all, the paper has studied the historical background of martial arts in China and looked at its origin and evolution. The study has also looked at the merits of Kung Fu which are based on self defense and the life teachings that it propagates, and the disadvantages that are related to Kung Fu. Martial art is an integral part of the Chinese culture and must therefore be kept intact and uninfluenced. Influence of the Works of Jin Yong Initially known as Louis Cha but later adopted the name, Jin Yong, for his writings, the influential martial arts writer was born in 1924. While writing his fictional pieces of martial arts, Jin Yong became an integral figure of Chinese literature of the infamous Wuxia. Wuxia is a Chinese term that people used to identify pieces of martial arts with. Throughout his life, Yong has written many novels and literary works that continue to dominate the Chinese market as well as other countries that have a connection with martial arts. The works of Jin Yong are popular because they are flexible having been translated into different languages to suit specific groups of readers. Apart from Chinese language, the literary works are available in English, Japanese, Indonesian, Korean among other languages across the globe. After his interaction with Chen Wentong while working for a newspaper company, Yong developed an interest in the works of martial arts. Upon retirement in the 1970s, Jin Yong re-wrote a piece on Tai-Chi, a popular technique of martial arts, gaining rave reviews in the process. The influence of Yong’s works is evident because television and film companies have transformed most of his legendary pieces into movie and screen shows. Among the famous works that Jin Yong wrote, include The book and the Sword, The Legend of the Condor Heroes, and Sword of the Yue Maiden. Critics of Jin Yong’s Literature Despite the influence of his literary works and the fame he received with his achievements, Jin Yong is never short of critics. Among his persistent critics is Ni Kuang, a novelist who has been a lifetime ally and an understudy of Jin Yong. Kuang has written several reviews criticizing and emphasizing on Yong’s works as well pointing out the shortcomings of his technique. Most of the critics base arguments on the use of fiction as a stylistic device. Not only were fellow novelists the only critics of his works, but political circles too feared the extremism of Yong’s writings. Various political administrations except in Hongkong banned any sale or access of the writings because they related their nature to that of the Cultural Revolution which The Communist Party of China spearheaded. During a time when China was in a political turmoil, even an innocent work of literature was deemed as a political tool. Subsequently, in various schools, parents and teachers had divisive views on the contents of Yong’s books and the influence they might have on the learners. Therefore, students were exempted from accessing the literary works because they contained negative teachings concerning fictional characters. Despite the early struggles and criticism, the works of Jin Yong still enjoy an outstanding popularity among the Chinese and global followers. Work Cited Birrer, R. B., and S. P. Halbrook. 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