Wu Shu: the Chinese Martial Arts

Little material has been written explaining not only what the martial arts of China are about but also what they signify.

It should also be clarified that many of the Systems and Styles which make up some of the Oriental Arts of combat owe their origin to the Chinese Arts which were developed in a sophisticated and refined direction. Some of these arts, which go back to the era before Christ, for varying reasons have been lost in time and some, because of the secrecy surrounding them, have died with their masters. However, due to the role they have played in life, others were sacredly kept and preserved to still survive today.

It should be understood that these Arts demand from the body a mental, spiritual and physical balance, the coordination of which is vital to their correct interpretation.

There appears to be today a fascination for the practice of the martial arts with particular emphasis on the Oriental styles and systems. The Occidental world is, and has been for some years, accepting these arts “as a sponge soaks up water”, so that they have now become an everyday business to many. This fascination has not worn off yet and due to its successful commercialization and exploitation there is a fear that these arts, or at least the more popular ones, are being weakened in their essence and therefore disproportioned from their true and original meaning.

One point that shows itself apart from any other, and important at that, is where does one go to learn this martial art or that martial art? There are so many schools, centres, gymnasiums etc claiming that they teach this art or that art and in some cases numerous arts, that the individual looking for the most suitable place is usually confused. Many of these places are undoubtedly serious – there is no question about it – but how does one know about them? A way has to be found to sift the wheat from the chaff, the good from the bad.

The Chinese martial arts, as the name infers, are martial in effect but it must also be remembered, which few realize, that many of the systems and styles are also applied in the form of health exercises and calisthenics. It is a part of life but then, as with anything we do, it must be done properly and in so doing the person also gains a mental and spiritual attainment, which is beneficial.

It is unfortunate that there are few worthwhile books published in the Western world about the Chinese martial arts. It is not meant by this that one will learn from a book, but it certainly aids one in becoming acquainted with the meaning of these arts. Personal instruction is vital and a great deal of patience and perseverance is required.

It is through these arts that a person’s mental and physical abilities are tuned, giving them understanding, showing them discipline and instilling in them humility.

Many of these arts have been passed down through the ages that they now belong to the heritage of the people; it is our turn now to preserve these arts and pass them on so that they can live in the future. It is those with this knowledge, coupled with understanding and directed by wisdom, who must bear that responsibility and hope that others will not spoil and distort this contribution to the life of humankind.

This article is also written to show the infinite value of the Chinese martial arts and the merit they deserve. The intention underlying these arts - and this does not in any way disrespect any other martial art - is to bring man together with life and nature and, in so doing, give him an understanding of others.

On my teacher

I started taking tuition under my late Master Deng Yunfeng when I was eight years old. At that time in Beijing the Nei Jia Wu Shu masters were not few, but the “Complete Hand” ones were rare to find. Tai Ji has been widely spreading in the West, but still few know about the existence of its two other sister arts Ba Gua and Xing Yi.

It was my late Master’s taste and wish that we value "the Art for the Art’s sake", so no mystified tales or any tales with the nature of individual character glorification will be narrated in my writings. I endeavour to use direct and simple language, in sincerity and truth, to try to introduce these arts to the West, in order not to fail those who begin to take a genuine interest in the Nei Jia Wu Shu of my culture.

Deng Yunfeng was born in 1873 in Dengzhou, Shantung Province. He had two sons and a daughter – all married. His wife died several years before him. Unfortunately, his two sons both died young, though the second son was survived by an heir. Later nobody knew his daughter’s whereabouts. His elder son, Deng Wenying, was extremely skilful in Xing Yi; but his second son, Deng Wenshun, was a playboy and his daughter, Deng Wencheh, was never interested in Wu Shu at all.

Master Deng was outstanding in character and skill. His achievements did not rest only on martial arts skill, as a Nei Jia “Complete Hand”, but he also attracted many officials and scholars towards a transcendental direction in Wu Shu. It’s a great pity and loss to Nei Jia Wu Shu that Master Deng was not able to write down in letters, as Sun Lutang did, his experiences and achievements, knowledge and interpretation of the arts.

Among his pupil-sons there were many outstanding people such as bank managers and army generals, Christians and Daoists, street sweepers and Qing eunuchs alike. His People’s Martial Arts Society was situated in the Temple of the Fire God on Di'anmen Street, and I believe the temple is still there. The abbot was his pupil, a very outstanding one. Master Deng died from cancer of the stomach in the guest room of the abbot’s quarters in 1941. His funeral was held in the third courtyard of the temple. He is survived by many loyal pupil-sons, mostly in China, and the only pupil-daughter, an exile in the West. They all of them cherish his memory with devotion and love.

“Wherever his way may take him, the pupil, though he may lose sight of his teacher, can never forget him. With a gratitude as great as the uncritical veneration of the beginner, as strong as the saving faith of the artist, he now takes his Master’s place, ready for any sacrifice. Countless examples down to the recent past testify that this gratitude far exceeds the measure of what is customary among mankind.”

In Remembrance of my Teacher Deng Yunfeng:

Gao shan yang zhi, jing xing xing zhi,

Sui bu neng qu, xin xiang wang zhi.

Looking up to the high mountain, stopping for a view on my journey,

Even though I cannot reach there, my heart is longing for it.