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THERE ARE TWO HISTORIES of kungfu. One is the history of the name, and the other is the history of the martial arts that it represents. For most of China’s history, the two characters pronounced “kung fu” meant the application of determined perseverance to accomplish some task. It could be used to describe any work at all—housework, schoolwork, practice, or job. Toward the end of the nineteenth century, people in the southern provinces (particularly Canton) adopted “kungfu” as a slang term for martial artists because they practiced so hard. When movies came out featuring these fighting artists, the term was applied to the discipline as a whole. And it stuck because it was a useful way of distinguishing the traditional fighting arts from the version being created in Mainland China for performance and competition (wushu), even though “wushu” is actually the older name and a more accurate translation for the term “martial art.”

Figure 1-1: Small section of a mural

in one of the halls of the Shaolin Temple

in Henan Province

Semantics aside, the martial arts—by whatever name—are an integral part of Chinese culture and civilization. They have developed, as the civilization has, in accordance with the social, political, and technological forces of the Asian continent for more than 4,000 years.

The earliest roots of the martial arts are in the combat sports of the Han civilization along the Yellow River. But very quickly these sports also became sources of entertainment and health exercises, and the balance between military and “folk” wushu has varied over the centuries. In times of peace interest in the martial aspects waned, and soldiers left their profession, some joining acrobatic or operatic troupes or performing in the streets. During times of political upheaval, interest in the martial arts rebounded, as even farmers needed to defend themselves from bandits and outlaws.

Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism are important components of wushu philosophy, and its connection with Buddhism has been pivotal. When Bodhidharma taught the Shaolin monks health-preserving exercises, he not only approved physical health as a necessary part of spiritual practice, but also irrevocably linked the two and established a location (the temple) to centralize the teaching, preservation, and advancement of these integrated wushu/kungfu techniques. Later, when the Manchus sacked and burned the temple, the monks and their fighting techniques were scattered, which led to the development of myriad styles of kungfu throughout Southeast Asia.

Finally, in the twentieth century, when firearms ended the military usefulness of wushu, its grace, beauty, health-giving benefits, and cultural heritage ensured its survival in China as modern “wushu” and in countries elsewhere as “kungfu.”

Very roughly, the history of the Chinese martial arts can be divided into four major phases: The age of ancient military arts and entertainment, the age of northern Shaolin, the age of dispersion; and the modern age of kungfu and wushu. The notes below record the milestones of these phases.

Phase I: The Age of Ancient Military Arts and Entertainment

Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1000 B. C.)

The first reliable records of kungfu, both external and internal forms, are made on oracle bones and turtle shells. Combat sports are primarily exercises for military preparation and include both wrestling (unarmed) and combat with weapons. Later in the dynasty, government schools are established to train soldiers.

Western Chou Dynasty (c. 1000–770 B. C.)

Wrestling, archery, chariot racing, and swordplay are popular; fighting methods are performed as dances accompanied by music.

Spring and Autumn Period (770–475 B. C.)

The martial arts, known as chuan yung, flourish. Swords are used in warfare for the first time. In 512 Sun Tzu writes a treatise on military strategy, The Art of War .

Confucius encourages his disciples to learn both literary and martial arts. Lao-tzu, legendary author of the Tao Te Ching, the classic Taoist gospel, lives in the sixth century B.C. In India, Buddha is teaching (c. 560–483 B.C .).

Warring States Period (475–221 B. C.)

Ch’in Dynasty (221–207 B. C.)

After centuries of war the Ch’in emerge victorious, unify China, and give it its name. Emperor Shih Huang-ti (who ordered the terra-cotta armies made for his tomb in Xian) undertakes grand projects, including the unfication of the Great Wall and the standardization of script, coinage, weights, and measures .

Western and Eastern Han Dynasties (206 B. C.– A. D.200)

The Old Silk Road opens; trade with Rome southern and western Asia flourish. Paper is invented. First Buddhist missionaries reach China from India, C. A. D. 65

Hua Tuo, a renowned medical doctor considered to be the father of acupuncture, creates the Five Animal Exercises (Wu Chien Shi)—based on the characteristics of the deer, bird, monkey, tiger, and bear. Supposedly Taoist in origin, these revolutionary exercises will influence many martial arts styles and health exercises and will become integral to the Shaolin martial arts system.

Phase II: The Age of Northern Shaolin

Six Dynasties (220–589)

During the Three Kingdoms period (c. 220–265), three rival states contest fiercely, spawning many legendary heroes and tales to be recorded later in the classic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms .

In 495 a Buddhist temple is built on Mt. Songshan near Luoyang in Henan Province and named Shaolin.

In 520 the monk Da Mo (Bodhidharma) arrives to teach the Chan (Zen) practice of Buddhism at the Shaolin Temple. Finding that the monks lack the physical stamina to meditate effectively, he develops exercises to strengthen them, namely, the “Eighteen Buddha Hands.”

Two famous classics, of which there are no surviving copies, are written: the Sinew-Changing Classic (Yi Jin Jing) and the Washing Marrow Classic (Xi Sui Jing). Some attribute these classics to Bodhidharma. Due to the health benefits and Buddhist influence, from this time on the martial arts are widely practiced by citizens, not just by the nobility and military professionals.

For the first time Chinese martial arts spread outside China when soldiers sent to Korea teach there.

Tang Dynasty (618–906)

In this warring period intense persecution of Buddhists batters the monasteries. Gunpowder is introduced, changing forever the nature of war and fighting.

A court examination system is initiated, and all officers and soldiers must pass martial arts tests for recruitment and promotion.

Northern and Southern Song Dynasties (960–1279)

During this period of relative social and political stability, both military sports and “folk” wushu flourish. The first emperor, Song Tai Zu, creates a long fist style (Tai Zu Chang Quan), which will be called the grandfather of present kungfu styles. General Yue Fei converts a spear form into a hand form and then into xingyiquan (“mind and intention” boxing), which is the beginning of soft or internal styles. He also teaches an external style, which becomes the basis of eagle claw styles.

After 1126 martial arts spread south of the Yangtze and west, even into Thailand.

In 1224 Pai Yu-feng joins the Shaolin Temple. Appalled at finding both the spirit and artistry of the monks in serious decline, he expands the Eighteen Buddha Hands to the 128 Buddha Hands and divides it into the five fist system: dragon, tiger, snake, leopard, crane. Each animal represents a different quality that should be developed to maintain overall health. This system epitomizes the fundamentals of Shaolin kungfu and survives today, particularly in forms of the Hung Gar style.

Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368)

Mongols from the north under Kublai Khan conquer northern China. Marco Polo visits (1275–1292) .

The Yuan rulers encourage their own people to practice martial arts but forbid the Han from practicing or keeping weapons. Operatic troupes flourish, and more than 300 scripts are written, many featuring fighting scenes using weapons as props. Hence the level of wushu technique improves, and the martial virtues (fighting injustice, eliminating evil) spread. Five more Shaolin temples are established in various parts of northern China.

Arabian and Persian Moslems move to China and adopt the martial arts exercises. They will continue to practice, develop, spread, and preserve the martial arts, even up to the present.

Ming Dynasty (1268–1644)

The Golden Age of Chinese Martial Arts. Schools flourish, and training is widespread and vigorous. A Shaolin temple is established in Fukien Province in southern China. Wang Long of Shantung creates the famous Praying Mantis Style.

In 1387 Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the oldest surviving novel in the world, and Outlaws of the Marsh are published. Both recount heroic tales of legendary martial arts masters. In particular, Outlaws has many scenes of wushu, providing an accurate glimpse into the state of the martial arts at the time. Subsequently many books on wushu technique and strategy appear.

Toward the end of the dynasty, Cheng Yuanyun goes to Japan to teach chin-na and Chinese wrestling; from these roots jujitsu develops.

Phase III: The Age of Dispersion

Ching Dynasty (1644–1911)

The Ming dynasty comes to an abrupt and violent end when Manchurian troops storm the capital, Beijing. Fierce hatred between the Han and the Manchurian intruders means a constant threat of rebellion and constant efforts to root out Ming loyalists. During the 1800s, thousands of Chinese emigrate to the United States, seeking work and establishing communities (“Chinatowns”) where Chinese cultural traditions, including the martial arts, thrive.

In 1700 Manchurians burn the Shaolin Temple in Henan, as a potential haven for rebels; the monks disperse, and the development of the martial arts will never again be centralized. Some monks move south, teaching and developing the art privately. Some migrate to other parts of Southeast Asia.

In 1901 military exams are discarded; “folk” wushu becomes the principal practice for health, sport, and entertainment.

Especially toward the end of the dynasty, secret societies become active, practicing martial arts for rebellion; foreigners call them “Boxers.” Some societies teach their members that their kungfu will protect them from bullets, which is proven tragically false in the Boxer Rebellion of 1911.

Phase IV: Modern Age of Kungfu and Wushu

Republic (1912–1949)

Political turmoil erupts. In 1912, led by Sun Yat-sen, the Republic of China is founded; in 1921 the Chinese Communist Party forms, opposing Chiang Kaishek’s Kuomintang party. Japanese occupy China (1937–1945).

At the turn of the twentieth century, popular opinion is strongly divided as to whether China should preserve its heritage of martial arts or adopt Western competitive sports. (Well-educated Chinese disdain exercise in any form.) Ultimately, both are encouraged. Chinese martial arts are referred to by their historical name, wushu, meaning “martial” (wu) “arts” (shu). In 1928 the Central Wushu Institute is established. In 1936 a Chinese wushu team performs at the Berlin Olympics.

People’s Republic (1949–present)

In 1949 the Chinese Communist Party, led by Mao Tse-tung, establishes the People’s Republic of China. Hong Kong, while geographically and culturally a part of Canton Province, remains politically a part of Britain. The capitalistic economy supports independence from China in many areas, including the martial arts.

On the Mainland

1956: The Chinese Wushu Association is set up.

1958: The State Physical Culture and Sports Commission defines exercise routines and competition rules for various styles of wushu.

1966–76: During the Cultural Revolution, wushu is discouraged as a feudal practice; many martial artists escape to Hong Kong, where their arts are filmed and marketed as “kungfu movies.”

1982: The First National Wushu Conference establishes general and specific policies for the development of wushu. The emphasis is on demonstration, performance, and competition, rather than martial arts applications. Subsequently, wushu associations, clubs, centers, and societies are set up in all parts of the country.

1985: The First International Wushu Invitational Tournament is held. It has been held annually ever since.

1990: The International Wushu Federation is formally established; wushu is included as an official competition event at the Asian Games.

In Hong Kong

1972: The movie Fists of Fury, starring Bruce Lee, opens in Hong Kong, grossing millions on its first day. The Hong Kong film industry is already making millions on this new genre, termed “kungfu movies” after the local slang term for the martial arts.

1973: In the U.S. David Carradine stars in the weekly drama Kung Fu, which presents not only the dramatic aspects of Chinese martial arts, but also moral and cultural aspects, thus winning the respect of a wider audience.

1970s: Enrollment in kungfu classes mushrooms in schools in the U.S., particularly in big cities; Chinese martial arts are widely taught to non-Asians for the first time.

Today, in addition to both wushu and the many styles of kungfu, other martial arts of Asia are being taught all over the world, and new styles and forms are being created, particularly for self-defense.