Verified origins of martial arts styles.

[Scott Larson]

I would like to do some research on the creation of martial art styles. It seems there are so many styles that have no definitive beginning. I am specifically looking for Chinese martial arts, but other styles would be helpful as well. The only style I have found to have a decent amount of information is Judo.

If anyone could point me in the right direction, it would be appreciated.

Thank you

[daishi]

Many of the most popular Japanese martial arts; judo, aikido, karate, are quite new and thus easier to track their history. It is my limited understanding that Chinese MA are much older, steeped in even more lore and crazy stories, thus harder to track and even harder to determine what is accurate.

[Rabu]

Sri Hanuman has a post on Tung Hao here on this board. He would be an excellent place to start, (both Tung Hao and Sri Hanuman, I guess)

for english written resources:

Authors:
Stanley Henning
Brian Kennedy and Elizabeth Guo
Ma Ming Da
John King Fairbanks (general chinese history)

Books:
Spring and autumn of chinese martial arts
1587 a year of no importance
The Water Margin / Romance of the three kingdoms

Brian Kennedy recently published two books worth adding to your collection:

Chinese Martial arts training manuals: A historical survey
Jingwu

Meir Shahar; The Shaolin Monastery: History, Religion, and the Chinese Martial Arts (much of which I disliked for its failure to keep neutral on facts, but is still an excellent read)

Did I mention anything written by Stanley Henning? *emphasis mine*

There are any number of other fairly pulpy history tomes out there, with many of the legends recounted. If you go with this list of authors, you will do well to start your journey. The Jingwu book is also a must, for its section on peforming historical research on Chinese martial arts.

Best of luck

[Jack Rusher]

I strongly approve of Rabu's list.

[Soldiermedic]

I would add the works of Robert W. Smith to the list as well

[Rabu]

Sorry, I added a book by him, but did not name him for your reference:

"Kung Ge Wu", spring and autumn of chinese martial arts.

[DerAuslander]

Many of the most popular Japanese martial arts; judo, aikido, karate, are quite new and thus easier to track their history. It is my limited understanding that Chinese MA are much older, steeped in even more lore and crazy stories, thus harder to track and even harder to determine what is accurate.

If you are posting from your limited understanding in the Style forums or the technical forums, pause, take a deep breath, and then consider not posting, especially if you're a new poster. It's a great way to learn more.

Also consider asking questions.

[DerAuslander]

Sri Hanuman has a post on Tung Hao here on this board. He would be an excellent place to start, (both Tung Hao and Sri Hanuman, I guess)

for english written resources:

Authors:
Stanley Henning
Brian Kennedy and Elizabeth Guo
Ma Ming Da
John King Fairbanks (general chinese history)

Books:
Spring and autumn of chinese martial arts
1587 a year of no importance
The Water Margin / Romance of the three kingdoms

Brian Kennedy recently published two books worth adding to your collection:

Chinese Martial arts training manuals: A historical survey
Jingwu

Meir Shahar; The Shaolin Monastery: History, Religion, and the Chinese Martial Arts (much of which I disliked for its failure to keep neutral on facts, but is still an excellent read)

Did I mention anything written by Stanley Henning? *emphasis mine*

There are any number of other fairly pulpy history tomes out there, with many of the legends recounted. If you go with this list of authors, you will do well to start your journey. The Jingwu book is also a must, for its section on peforming historical research on Chinese martial arts.

Best of luck

I like this n00b. Can we keep him?

Can we, mommy?

Please?

[Sri Hanuman]

I strongly recommend Adam Hsu's writing as a good introductory read to give you an idea of where to go. Unfortunately, you will not easily find complete translations of Tang Hao's books, which is a shame. (On that note, I am willing to finance a large chunk of any such translation if anybody on this board is handy with Classical Chinese... per some ridiculously small chance.) Scott, since I imagine our projects will intersect at some point, you're more than welcome to my notes.

[Sri Hanuman]

I like this n00b. Can we keep him?

Can we, mommy?

Please?

Joey Bond in a dress would say yes.