Text B Chinese Martial Arts
导 读
武术，源远流长，博大精深，是我国民族体育的主要内容之一，是几千年来我国人民用以锻炼身体和自卫的一种方法。它是中国传统文化的重要环节，被列为中国的国粹。自古到今，武术以攻防格斗、强身健体、刀枪剑棍、南拳北腿、太极八卦、十八般武艺和影视功夫等形式闻名于世。它扎根于博大精深的中国文化土壤中，几千年来一直发展延续，结出了累累硕果。时代的脚步进入21世纪，中国武术这种古老的艺术，也以全新的面貌，走出中国，走向世界。
Chinese martial arts,commonly known as Wushu or Kung Fu,are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China.
The Origins of Chinese martial arts
The genesis of Chinese martial arts has been attributed to the need for self-defense,hunting techniques and military training in ancient China.Hand-to-hand combat and weapons practice were important in training ancient Chinese soldiers.
According to legend，Chinese martial arts originated during the semi-mythical Xia Dynasty （夏朝） more than 4，000 years ago.It is said the Yellow Emperor Huangdi （黄帝） introduced the earliest fighting systems to China.The Yellow Emperor is described as a famous general who，before becoming China’s leader，wrote lengthy treatises on medicine，astrology and the martial arts.One of his main opponents was Chi You （蚩尤） who was credited as the creator of jiao di，a forerunner to the modern art of Chinese wrestling.
Shaolin and temple-based martial arts
The Shaolin style of wushu is regarded as amongst the first institutionalized Chinese martial arts.The oldest evidence of Shaolin participation in combat is a stele from 728 A.D.that attests to two occasions： a defense of the Shaolin Monastery from bandits around 610 A.D.，and their subsequent role in the defeat of Wang Shichong at the Battle of Hulao in 621 A.D.From the 8th to the 15th centuries，there are no extant documents that provide evidence of Shaolin participation in combat.However，between the 16th and 17th centuries there are at least forty sources which provide evidence that not only did the monks of Shaolin practice martial arts，but martial practice had become such an integral element of Shaolin monastic life that the monks felt the need to justify it by creating new Buddhist lore.References of martial arts practice in Shaolin appear in various literary genres of the late Ming： the epitaphs of Shaolin warrior monks，martial-arts manuals，military encyclopedias，historical writings，travelogues，fiction and poetry.However these sources do not point out to any specific style originated in Shaolin.These sources，in contrast to those from the Tang period，refer to Shaolin methods of armed combat.This includes a skill for which Shaolin monks had become famous—the staff.The Ming General Qi Jiguang included description of Shaolin Quan Fa （少林拳法） and staff techniques in his book，Ji Xiao Xin Shu （纪效新书），which can be translated as New Book Recording Effective Techniques.
Styles
China has a long history of martial arts traditions that include hundreds of different styles.Over the past two thousand years many distinctive styles have been developed，each with its own set of techniques and ideas.There are also common themes to the different styles，which are often classified by “families” （家），“sects” （派） or “schools” （门）.There are styles that mimic movements from animals and others that gather inspiration from various Chinese philosophies，myths and legends.Some styles put most of their focus into the harnessing of qi，while others concentrate on competition.
Chinese martial arts can be classified into various categories to differentiate them，for example，External Fist （外家拳） and Internal Fist （内家拳）.Chinese martial arts can also be categorized by location，as in Northern Fist （北拳） and Southern Fist （南拳） as well，referring to which part of China the styles originated from，separated by the Yangtze River （Chang Jiang）； Chinese martial arts may even be classified according to their province or city.The main perceived difference between northern and southern styles is that the northern styles tend to emphasize fast and powerful kicks，high jumps and generally fluid and rapid movement，while the southern styles focus more on strong arm and hand techniques，and stable，immovable stances and fast footwork.Examples of the northern styles include changquan and xingyiquan.Examples of the southern styles include Bak Mei，Wuzuquan，Choy Li Fut and Wing Chun.Chinese martial arts can also be divided according to religion，imitative-styles （象形拳），and family styles such as Hung Gar （洪家）.
Training
There are distinctive differences in the training between different groups of the Chinese martial arts regardless of the type of classification.However,few experienced martial artists make a clear distinction between internal and external styles,or subscribe to the idea of northern systems being predominantly kick-based and southern systems relying more heavily on upper-body techniques.Most styles contain both hard and soft elements,regardless of their internal nomenclature.Analyzing the difference in accordance with yin and yang principles,philosophers would assert that the absence of either one would render the practitioner’s skills unbalanced or deficient,as yin and yang alone are each only half of a whole.If such differences did once exist,they have since been blurred.
Chinese martial arts training consists of the following components: basics,forms,applications and weapons; different styles place varying emphasis on each component.In addition,philosophy,ethics and even medical practice are highly regarded by most Chinese martial arts.A complete training system should also provide insight into Chinese attitudes and culture.
Notable practitioners
Yue Fei (1103—1142) was a famous Chinese general and patriot of the Song Dynasty.Styles such as Eagle Claw and Xingyi attribute their creation to Yue.However,there is no historical evidence to support the claim he created these styles.
Ng Mui (late 17th century) was the legendary female founder of many southern martial arts such as Wing Chun Kuen,Dragon style and Fujian White Crane.She is often considered one of the legendary Five Elders who survived the destruction of the Shaolin Temple during the Qing Dynasty.
Yang Luchan (1799—1872) was an important teacher of the internal martial art known as tai chi chuan in Beijing during the second half of the 19th century.Yang is known as the founder of Yang style tai chi chuan.
Ten Tigers of Canton (late 19th century) was a group of ten of the top Chinese martial arts masters in Guangdong towards the end of the Qing Dynasty.Wong Kei-Ying,Wong Fei Hung’s father,was a member of this group.
Wong Fei Hung (1847—1924) was considered a Chinese folk hero.More than one hundred Hong Kong movies were made about his life.Sammo Hung,Jackie Chan,and Jet Li have all portrayed his character in blockbuster pictures.
Huo Yuanjia (1867—1910) was the founder of Chin Woo Athletic Association who was known for his highly publicized matches with foreigners.His biography was recently portrayed in the movie Fearless (2006).
Yip Man (1893—1972) was a master of the Wing Chun and the first to teach this style openly.Yip Man was the teacher of Bruce Lee.Most major branches of Wing Chun that exist today were developed and promoted by students of Yip Man.
Bruce Lee (1940—1973) was a Chinese American martial artist and actor who was considered an important icon in the 20th century.He practiced Wing Chun and made it famous.Using Wing Chun as his base and learning from the influences of other martial arts experience he was exposed to，he later developed his own martial arts philosophy which evolved into what is now known as Jeet Kune Do.
Jackie Chan is a Chinese martial artist and actor widely known for injecting physical comedy into his martial arts performances,and for performing complex stunts in many of his films.
Jet Li is the five-time sport wushu champion of China,later demonstrating his skills in cinema.
Popular culture
References to the concepts and use of Chinese martial arts can be found in popular culture.Historically,the influence of Chinese martial arts can be found in books and in the performance arts specific to Asia.Recently,those influences have extended to the movies and television that target a much wider audience.As a result,Chinese martial arts have spread beyond its ethnic roots and have a global appeal.
Martial arts play a prominent role in the literature genre known as wuxia （武侠小说）.This type of fiction is based on Chinese concepts of chivalry，a separate martial arts society （武林） and a central theme involving martial arts.Wuxia stories can be traced as far back as 2nd and 3rd century B.C.，becoming popular by the Tang Dynasty and evolving into novel form by the Ming Dynasty.This genre is still extremely popular in much of Asia and poses a major influence for the public perception of the martial arts.
Martial arts influences can also be found in Chinese opera of which Beijing opera is one of the best-known examples.This popular form of drama dates back to the Tang Dynasty and continues to be an example of Chinese culture.Some martial arts movements can be found in Chinese opera and some martial artists can be found as performers in Chinese operas.
In modern times,Chinese martial arts have spawned the genre of cinema known as the martial arts film.The films of Bruce Lee were instrumental in the initial burst of Chinese martial arts’ popularity in the West in the 1970s.
Martial artists and actors such as Jet Li and Jackie Chan have continued the appeal of movies of this genre.Martial arts films from China are often referred to as “kungfu movies” （功夫片），or “wire-fu” if extensive wire work is performed for special effects，and are still best known as part of the tradition of kungfu theater.
In the west,Kung fu has become a regular action staple,and makes appearances in many films that would not generally be considered “Martial Arts” films.These films include but are not limited to The Matrix Trilogy,Kill Bill,and The Transporter.
Martial arts themes can also be found on television networks.A U.S.network TV western series of the early 1970s called Kung Fu also served to popularize the Chinese martial arts on television.With 60 episodes over a three-year span,it was one of the first North American TV shows that tried to convey the philosophy and practice in Chinese martial arts.The use of Chinese martial arts techniques can now be found in most TV action series,although the philosophy of Chinese martial arts is seldom portrayed in depth.
Words & Expressions
1.genesis['dʒenəsis] n.起源；发生
2.astrology[ə'strɔlədʒi] n.占星术；占星学；星座
3.wrestling['resliŋ] n.［体］摔跤；［体］扭斗
v.与……摔跤；使劲移动；摔跤；格斗
4.institutionalized[，insti'tjuː ʃənəlaizd] adj.使成惯例的；有组织的
v.使成为惯例
5.monastery['mɔnəstəri] n.修道院；僧侣
6.bandit['bændit] n.强盗；土匪；恶棍；敲诈者
7.extant[ek'stænt，'ekstənt] adj.现存的；［古］显著的
8.epitaphs['epitɑːf，-tæf] n.碑文；墓志铭
9.genre['ʒɔŋrə] n.类型；流派；风俗画
adj.风俗画的；以日常情景为主题的
10.manual['mænjuəl] adj.体力的；手工的
n.手册；指南
11.encyclopedia[in，saiklə'piːdjə] n.百科全书
12.travelogue['trævəlɔɡ，-lɔːɡ] n.旅行见闻讲演
13.mimic['mimik] vt.模仿；模拟
n.小丑；模仿者
adj.模仿的；模拟的
14.harness['hɑːnis] vt.治理；套；驾驭；披上甲胄
n.马具；甲胄
15.nomenclature[nəu'menklətʃə，'nəumənkleitʃə] n.命名法；术语
16.patriot['peitriət] n.爱国者
17.icon['aikɔn] n.图标；肖像；画像；圣像；偶像
18.spawn[spɔːn] n.菌丝；卵；产物
vt.产卵；酿成；造成；大量生产
vi.产卵
19.staple['steipl] n.订书钉；主要产品
adj.主要的；常用的
vt.把……分级；钉住
Notes
1.The Yellow Emperor（黄帝）：The Yellow Emperor or Huangdi is a legendary Chinese sovereign and culture hero，among the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors.Tradition holds that he reigned from 2697 B.C.—2597 B.C.or 2696 B.C.—2598 B.C.His cult became prominent in the late Warring States and early Han period，when he was portrayed as the originator of the centralized state，a patron of esoteric arts，a cosmic ruler，and a lord of the underworld.
2.Chi You（蚩尤）：Chi You was a tribal leader of the ancient Jiu Li （九黎） tribe.He is best known as the tyrant who fought against the Yellow Emperor during the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors era in Chinese mythology.For the Hmong people，Chi You was a sagacious mythical king.Chi You has a particularly complex and controversial ancestry，as he may fall under Dongyi，Miao or even Man depending on the source and view.
Exercises
I.Fill in each of the following the blanks according to the passage.
1.It is said the_______introduced the earliest fighting systems to China.
2._______The Shaolin style of wushu is regarded as amongst the first institutionalized Chinese martial arts.
3.Chinese martial arts can also be categorized by location，as in Northern Fist （北拳） and Southern Fist （南拳） as well，referring to what part of China the styles originated from，separated by the_______.
4.Modern styles of Chinese martial arts have developed that concentrate solely on_______forms,and do not practice_______application at all.
5.Jackie Chan,and Jet Li have all portrayed_______character in_______pictures.
II.Translate the following phrases.
1.柔道 2.空手道 3.击剑 4.拳击 5.跆拳道
6.摔跤 7.武术门派 8.中国武林协会 9.习武健身 10.武林高手