Search

Kung Fu Tea

Martial Arts History, Wing Chun and Chinese Martial Studies.

Tag

Hudiedao

Happy Birthday Kung Fu Tea (!) and More on Butterfly Swords at Sea

    Kung Fu Tea Turns Two Years Old! Today is the second anniversary of my first post here at Kung Fu Tea.  The last two years have been a blast as well as something of a blur.  Looking back... Continue Reading →

The 19th Century Hudiedao (Butterfly Sword) on Land and Sea

  Introduction Understanding the actual history and use of hudiedao (or Butterfly Swords) reflects the challenges faced by students of martial studies more generally. These short paired swords, with their distinctive D-shaped hand guards, are one of the most commonly... Continue Reading →

Through a Lens Darkly (9): Swords, Knives and other Traditional Weapons Encountered by the Shanghai Police Department, 1925.

  Introduction: Practical Martial Arts in the Age of the Gun As I have mentioned elsewhere, when thinking about the traditional Chinese martial arts we have a tendency to assume that these systems were created in an era without firearms. ... Continue Reading →

Through a Lens Darkly (8): Butterfly Swords, Dadaos and the Local Militias of Guangdong, 1840 vs. 1940.

Introduction:  The Butterfly Swords and Southern Martial Arts Defend the Nation I recently ran across two photographs that I think students of the southern Chinese martial arts may find very enlightening.  They speak to interesting tactical and cultural questions.  On... Continue Reading →

Butterfly Swords and Boxing: Exploring a Lost Southern Chinese Martial Arts Training Manual.

The Importance of the “Foreign Language Literature” in Chinese Martial Studies It is very hard to pierce the veil of the mid-19th century and to understand what exactly was happening in the development of the popular martial arts between about... Continue Reading →

A Social and Visual History of the Hudiedao (Butterfly Sword) in the Southern Chinese Martial Arts.

    *****An updated and revised edition of this article is now available.  Click here to read more.  Thanks!******   Hudiedao, wu dip do, bat cham do, shuang dao, double short broadswords, butterfly swords......These weapons are known by literally dozens... Continue Reading →

Chinese Martial Arts in the News: October 29th, 2012: Commercialization, Authenticity and Bruce Lee.

Welcome to the "Frankenstorm" edition of "Chinese martial arts in the news."  Every few weeks I update readers about recent events and important developing trends.  If you have suggestions for a story that I should be watching feel free to... Continue Reading →

Up ↑