A Introduction to the Chinese Wushu…

Wushu, one of the Chinese ancient traditional sports, is the most valuable Chinese cultural heritage. It has long history with a rich content that has remained untarnished over the centuries. Literally translated, ‘‘Wu” is military, ‘‘Shu’’ is art. Wushu therefore means the art of fighting or Martial Arts.

Wushu, is the correct term for all Chinese martial arts therefore KungFu and wushu were originally the same. During the last thirty years, Wushu has mainland China was modernized so that there could be a universal standard for training and competing. In essence much emphasis has been placed on speed, difficulty and presentation consequently, Wushu has become an athletic and esthetic performance and competitive sport, while “KungFu” or Traditional Wushu remains the traditional fighting practice.

Wushu has been developed and enjoyed by Chinese people for thousand of years, because it is of great importance in conditions and community where nature adapts things and only the fittest survives. It is not only of good skill but a type of though tempered traditional Chinese culture. It is science and good sport. There will be full scope for Wushu’s special character and benefits in the “All Peoples health plan of China“. Wushu is more and more enjoyed by the world that is the Chinese people’s great contribution to the whole World for people’s health and happiness.

The beauty of Chinese Wushu…

Wushu is not just a way to enhance one’s health and skill. Its long association with dance has lent it an enriching artistic quality. At the same, its emphasis on posture, self-control spirit and lively exercises turn Wushu into Wuyi ---Martial artistry.

Historically, Wushu has been closed related to the arts, specially music and dance. As early as the Zhou Dynasty (11th century B.C. – 221 B.C. ) dance was used s a stimulant on the eve of battle. By the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the two had become thoroughly intertwined. In prince Qin’s Dance of military victory, “128 entertainers danced, clad in Armour and gripping halberds.’’

The Famous painter Wu Daozi and calligrapher zgang Xu, both of the Tang periods, were greatly inspired in their work by a sword dance they saw. The Tang poet Du Fu praised a martial dance:

The many spectators are greatly surprised:
Moved are even Heaven and Earth.
The advancing movements are a thunderbolt,
The retreating once a raging storm;
They stop like seawater frozen in the clarity of dawn.

Wushu can also greatly enhance the appearance, giving a well proportioned, co-ordinate, agile physique and a composed and lively spirit. In classical times, Wushu masters were praised as being “ calm like an elegant women, yet a fierce tiger when disturbs.’’

Dr. Gajanand B. Rajput is the founder of San-Bu-Shu, Martial Arts Authority of India & Chinese Wu-Shu Kung-Fu Federation of India. He can be reach at Website: www.wushukungfu.cjb.net E-mail: wushukungfu@gmail.com, maainternational@gmail.com or webmaster@wushukungfu.zzn.com