Gong Fu and Chinese Culture
The gǔqín 古琴 is a seven-string zither, regarded as one of the oldest and most prestigious instruments in the Chinese musical tradition. Unlike other instruments designed primarily for public display or festive accompaniment, the gǔqín was historically associated with self-cultivation, intellectual reflection, and aesthetic sensitivity.
Recent studies show that the practice of martial arts among children and young people is associated with a reduction in the incidence of school bullying. But, how is it possible that the teaching of a martial art which, at first glance, seems related to violence can in fact reduce it and help prevent bullying in schools?
Upon the death of Chan Jiu-Chi 陳耀墀, his most outstanding disciples continued transmitting the Choy Li Fut 蔡李佛 Kungfu system. This entry is dedicated to two of his descendants in the lineage: our Sigung 師公, Pun Fan 潘芬, and our Sifu 師父, Pun Seon Seoi 潘順遂.
Martial arts should reflect, at least in part, the reality of the violence in the society and historical moment in which they were created. In this article, we examine the concept of self-defense in the legal framework of the Qīng 清 dynasty, as well as other aspects that influenced the emergence and development of Choy Li Fut 蔡李佛 and other southern Kungfu styles from China.
Choy Li Fut 蔡李佛 is a martial art originating in the province of Guǎngdōng 廣東 in southern China, whose legendary origins can be traced back to the Shàolín 少林 temple. In this article we see what its most important characteristics are, as well as the different elements of which it is composed.
After Cheong Jim 張炎, Chan Ngau Sing 陳吽盛 took charge of the Hung Sing 鴻勝 school and continued cementing the its reputation, making it one of the most membered martial arts institutions in the Fóshān 佛山.
Chan Jiu-Chi 陳耀墀 was a scholar, poet, herb doctor and master of Choy Li Fut 蔡李佛 and, although it is said that he stood out in all those areas, no doubt his fame in the field of Kung Fu surpassed the others very much.
At the end of the 19th century, Choy Li Fut 蔡李佛 was booming in southern China. There was at that time a legendary wrestler, called Tam Sam 譚三, who is considered the founder of one of the main branches of the style.
Cheong Jim 張炎 is known for being the founder of the Hung Sing 鴻勝 branch of Choy Li Fut 蔡李佛 in Fóshān 佛山, and one of the best fighters of his time. His story has been transmitted orally and the popular narrative is mixed with legend.
We follow the story of the heirs of Chan Heung 陳享, founder of the Choy Li Fut 蔡李佛 Kung Fu system, in times of the spreading and diversification of the style, when many schools were established.