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Kung Fu Tea

Martial Arts History, Wing Chun and Chinese Martial Studies.

Lau Bun-A Kung Fu Pioneer in America

  Introduction Given that this post will be released on Columbus Day, I thought that it might be fun to think about some "new world" martial arts history.  Lau Bun was both a colorful and critical figure in the early... Continue Reading →

Fighting Words: Four New Document Finds Reignite Old Debates in Taijiquan Historiography

  Introduction As I mentioned last week, I am currently in the middle of a couple of writing projects.  As such, our weekend post will be covered by Douglas Wile, author of the SUNY Press volume, The Lost Tai Chi... Continue Reading →

Lives of Chinese Martial Artists (8): Gu Ruzhang-Northern Shaolin Master and Southward Bound Tiger.

Introduction Gu Ruzhang is one of the best known martial artists of the Republic of China era.  He is remembered today as a pioneer who helped to bring Northern Shaolin to Southern China.  Most accounts of his illustrious career start... Continue Reading →

Hand Combat Training as the School of the Nations

    My schedule over the next four to six weeks is going to be pretty crazy.  I have a couple of writing projects followed by some heavy duty transoceanic conference travel.  As such we will be dipping into our... Continue Reading →

A 1918 Account of Traditional Martial Arts in the Chinese Labor Corps

    Introduction Co-authorship of today’s post is shared with Joseph Svinth, the editor of the EJMAS and multiple other important works on martial arts studies.   He brought the following account and historic photographs to my attention, and we both... Continue Reading →

Who Benefits from the Traditional Martial Arts: Public Goods vs. Private Gains

  Introduction   Are the martial arts good?  I think that most people who spend a lot of time practicing any of these systems would reflexively answer “Yes.”  I know that I would.  Fewer of us would pause to ask... Continue Reading →

Through a Lens Darkly (47): The Sword Shops of Beijing’s Bow and Arrow Street

  Looking over my posts from the last few months I realized that it has been too long since we discussed new (to us) images of the Chinese martial arts.  In this post our friend Sidney Gamble will help to... Continue Reading →

Martial Mythology (1): Yim Wing Chun and the Hero’s Journey

  Introduction For someone who doesn’t read classical Chinese, I spend a lot of time in seminars listening to presentations on ancient texts.  Cornell regularly invites visiting scholars to discuss their work.  While none of these individuals has ever given... Continue Reading →

Chinese Martial Arts in the News: September 11th, 2017: The Back to School Edition!

  Introduction   Welcome to “Chinese Martial Arts in the News!”  This is a semi-regular feature here at Kung Fu Tea in which we review media stories that mention or affect the traditional fighting arts.  In addition to discussing important events, this column... Continue Reading →

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