I'll give you a perfect example. With me, I 'know of' various japanese syles of karate. Okinawain and others, but I couldn't tell you for the life of me what sets them apart from one another. I would venture to guess that even though they are distinct from one another, there would still be common stances and strikes that they all would employ despite the difference in thier philosophies.

The same can be said of Kung Fu. The stances such as horse, half horse, bow and arrow, Qui bu and others are the foundation of prety much all styles. You go to a school that teaches Hung Gar and a school that teaches White Ape and a school that teaches White Eyebrow, you'll see the same stacnes in every one pretty much. And as another exapmle. I know of White Ape and White Eyebrow styles, but I couldn't tell you what they focus on, uless I ask people who know or do a google search. But even if I looked up the style, I still wouldn't have a firm understanding unless I watched a White Eyebrow class in session and asked the sifu questions about it.

But this is coming from someone who reads and researches on styles a lot. I'd say that someone who isn't all that familiar with chinese styles wouldn't know 'ghost leg technique" in Hung Gar from Tiger/Crane. I mean you know what the Drunken style looks like don't you? LOL! And what about monkey? That's the interesting thing about the animal styles cause you know what animan person is doing or at least you can make an educated guess. Now would you understand the dynamics? Probably not. Drunken and monkey are very different from one another.

The basic fundamentals are always taught! No getting around it. If you have to sit in a horse stance in Choy Li Fut then tou gotta sit in a horse stance in northern dragon or jow ga. The kicks, punches, and other strikes can very to certain dergrees. They all have techniques and strategies that fit the philosophy of that style. what is also true is that Jow Ga(Southern Tiger)for example also teaches some elements of dragon, leopard and eagle. * this is what your face looks like right now* Shit! You should have seen my face when I learned thatyears ago. Even though that are distinct, in some instances they do tend borrow a few techniques from one another, most often from the animal systems from what I've seen.

Okay I know your thinkin, "Is there any way to easily tell one style apart from another in a way that's easy for someone who's not very knowledgable to esily understand?" In a word: NO! I mean I wash there was some kind of flow chart that would help me know all of the lineages of every passed down and hybrid style, (Oh yeah, there are hybrid styles too, just in case you were wondering. I don't know how many there are, but there could be dozens for all I know!)but I'd be the largest flow chart in existance. I mean were talking about thousands of years of history here! I would say that studying the lineage of one style/system at a time can help someone to understand it's origins. Some schools post the lineage of it's system on their sites which is a great resource.

HEY!!! In fact... as you first indroduction to lineages, here's a link you can go that has a perfect example of what I'm talking about:

www.kungfu1.com

Happy reading!

I'm Ghost!

Ghost Dragon

Hey Cyborg_wolf,

HEll... you can get Tao of Jeet Kune Do from Amazon.com or Borders.

The guy who played KUng Lao on Conquest is Paolo Montalban. He's Philipino.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0598830/

GD

Thanks GD, Amazon here i come... Well,i had no idea he was fillipino, a brand new day, brand new learnings. While reading your post about flow charts of Kung-fu, i realized there are really to much martial arts to even try to know them all(i did not mean study.) Amazing. Hey -[Machina]-, i did'nt know Goju-ryu was a Karate style, could you tell me what separates it mainly from other styles?(if it is not too complicated.) If it is a Karate style, that means Sub-Zero got another Japanese style... Sigh, he is Chinese!
I forgot(i do that often...)to mention what style of Karate i studied. If you want to know(total silence...) it was Wado-ryu(and now that i think of it, i should have gessed Goju-ryu was a Karate style.) Wado-ryu is a very peaceful style, not seeking for battles, and, when conflict is unavoidable, resolve it with minimum damage to both oneself and the adversary. It borrowed a lot of techniques from Aikido, mainly throws and locks. Apart from that, strikes and kicks focused more on speed than strengh. I liked that style, has anyone else heard of it? As i mentioned before, i'm gonna study ninjitsu when i turn 16, but upon studying more closely the nature of the school were i'm gonna study, i came to understand that they did not teach only ninjitsu, but a composite of ninjitsu and 4 Karate styles, and Kendo. Thus, the teachings i'll follow in, let's see, 5 months, are called Bujinkan. Has anyone heard of that?

And final question, adressed to both Ghostdragon and Deadlywarrior, is the dude in your(GD)signature/(deadlywarrior)avatar from Kill Bill: volume 2? I just wanna be sure...

LOL! Yeah it's 'Bill' From KBVol:2. The sad thing about that scene where he's killing a bunch of guys and fights Michael Jai White is that it didn't make it in the film? Hopefully it'll be on the dvd.

GD

Is Michael Jay White the other guy on the picture?
Anyway, i was wondering, who are your favorite fight coreographers? Mine are: The guy who worked on the Matrix(i think it was Yuen wo ping, but i might be wrong.) And Robin Shou(he coreographed the fights in MK:A, and IMO, the fights were good.) What about you guys?
And why did'nt that scene make it into the movie?
Is it because it was too violent?

Hey, i just found Tao of jeet kune do on amazon.
Boy, it ain't cheep! But it's gonna be worth it, Mom will order it for me at the end of the month**

Yesterday, a friend asked me a question that i was not really able to answer of the top of my head. So i thought i'd ask you guys if you have an idea. The question was: Why is it called martial ARTS? Why ART? I was kinda stunned by the question, so i wonder if you have a better idea than me about this.
So..?

Well think of it as not just knowing the forms and techniques, but think of it as also making each movement that you do reflect a part of your personality or part of your own natural movement in a way.

I feel that any art has a natural beauty that can be seen when someone is drawing, designing, sculpting, dancing, acting, singing, or whatever. it allows a person to communicate a sense of emotion that is purely their own. It a way of thisthingisdisabled that cannot be imply taught. Sure the fundamentals are constantly taught, however it's the both obvious and subtle ways that a fist form or a empty hand form, or a weapons form is performed. They not only speak of the form itself, but it also speaks of the individual performing it. Think of Kevin Spacey and Kenneth Brannagh. Two actors who've learned a craft, but cultivated it in divergent ways.

I'm not sure that I myself can't really give you a decernable answer that I think will satisfy you, but think about the many other arts that exist in the world and look how an individual performs it. There's something unique about a persons style. Go to the Fan Art Board and look at the many submissions that are ther and look at the past submissions as well. Similar and even verying techniques and processes and yet you see so much individual thisthingisdisabled with every piece.

I hope that helps. Really, cause I'm not always sure about that question either! LOL!!!

OH! Put this doode in you buddy list: Sub-Zero_7th

I haven's seen him in a while, but he's studied and is studying more styles than I have. So he's a valuable resource on other systems cause he's actually studying them. I've learned a lot form him my self. So whenever he pops up, direct him to the thread and gain some of his input and knowledge.

I gotta jet for a while cause of finals and I really gotta move along with my screenplay. The sumbitch ain't gonna write itself. So I'm sure as hell not gonna be around as often.

I'm Ghost!..... foooooooor noooooooow! Muhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha... *cough**cough*... damn changing of the weather! I've had this damn cough for a week now!!!

Ghost Dragon -->[est. 659 B.C.]

I've been practicing Ninjitus for a good 10 years now...started when I was 9. I'm a second degree black belt. I'm learning how to use the katana, halbred, hook sowrds, and sais.

Thanks Ghostdragon, the answer DID help. Good luck with the screenplay*cough*andbecominganactor*cough* (damn, i'm getting a cough too, it seems. ) And your finals.

Well Izzy_daman, it's nice to see another fellow martial artist. I did not know one used Hookswords in Ninjitsu, that's cool. My gess is those are difficult to handle, am i correct?

Oh, Btw, Ghostdragon, i've had good hints that Sub-Zero_7th studied, and does study martial arts. I'll see if he wants to post here.

Cyborg_wolf Wrote: Well Izzy_daman, it's nice to see another fellow martial artist. I did not know one used Hookswords in Ninjitsu, that's cool. My gess is those are difficult to handle, am i correct?

Oh no hookswords aren't used in ninjitsu but I was really curious on how to use them, same with the sais, halbred and katana. The only weapon I've mastered in Ninjitsu sytle is the straight blade ninja sword. I'm glad to see that ur a martial artist too. What style do you study?? This summer I'm gonna start taking Shaolin Kung Fu(sp?). No matter what other style that I learn, Ninjitsu will always reign supreme over all IMO. I just love the style of Ninjitsu. It has everything from building a strong defense to have a earth shattering offense. I've heard good things about jijitsu also...who know I might end up studying that instead of Kung Fu...maybe I'll do both...I'll just have to wait and see.

"Out Standing"
~Shao Khan

I go to a place called the Shaolin Wushu Kung Fu Institute. There, they teach Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and San Shou.

They have a site:

http://www.shaolinwushu.net/

I go to the one in Peddler's Village.

They teach styles such as Chin Na, Shaolin 5 animals, Monkey, Mantis, Eagle Claw, Nan Chuan (Southern Fist), Chang Chuan (Long Fist), etc.

I have learned a bit from Nan Chuan and Chang Chuan. Yesterday, I learned the rest of the 5 stances form.

I like Shaolin martial arts as well as Ninja martial arts. If you ask different people who know stuff about Shaolin Kung Fu and/or study Shaolin Kung Fu, they will tell you different things about the foundations of Shaolin Kung Fu. One thing can be certain though. The 5 main Shaolin animal styles (Snake, Crane, Leopard, Tiger, Dragon) which are part of the Southern Shaolin system, are derived from the Shi Pa Lohan Shou (18 Hands of Enlightenment) which was said to have been taught to the Shaolin monks by a bodhisattva (enlightened being) warrior named Bodhidharma (known as Da Mo or Ta Mo by the Chinese and known as Daruma Daishi by the Japanese). However, Shaolin Fist is the first Shaolin martial arts style and some say he created Shaolin Fist from an Indian martial art known as Vajramushti (also known as Vajramukti) which means "Diamond Fist" or "the clenched fist as a weapon".

Interesting, Sub-zero_7th. Bodhidarma is also what Bruce Lee called his wooden sparring doll.(Could anyone tell me the proper name?). Well, Izzy_daman, i kinda started to wonder... So, how is it going with the hookswords? I studied Wado-Ryu Karate, and will study Bujinkan(wich is mostly based on ninjitsu.) But that's wen i turn 16.

hmmm interesting...I'm also interested in Combat Tai Chi, Tai Chi Chuan, and other styles of fighting

I did Judo for 8 yrs and got my 1st dan Black Belt, but then i gave it up when I moved.

I'd like to take up a different art. Some kind of kung fu, but i need to read up on them more before deciding which one(s) to take up

Just a quick question, because i gotta go, could anyone explain a little bit about Wing Chun? I heard it's a style that is based on the crane, and has a lot of hand trapping techniques, but i wondered if any of you guys know anything more?

Man, Judo takes along time to get to a high rank - I'm surprised you did it for so long. I took Judo for 5 1/2 years and only reached Green Belt (w/ two blue stripes) and I was good too, I was taught by a former Olympic Judo medalist (can't remember if hw had won gold though) but he was missing the top of one of his thumbs which got cut off in another martial arts fight.

Ive always like Tae Kwon Do, so maybe in the future I'll take that up.

krsx66 Wrote: Man, Judo takes along time to get to a high rank - I'm surprised you did it for so long. I took Judo for 5 1/2 years and only reached Green Belt (w/ two blue stripes) and I was good too, I was taught by a former Olympic Judo medalist (can't remember if hw had won gold though) but he was missing the top of one of his thumbs which got cut off in another martial arts fight. Ive always like Tae Kwon Do, so maybe in the future I'll take that up.

Hmm Judo rankings don't have tips/stripes! And surely there aren't different rankings in different countries.

Rankings in Judo are White, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, Brown, Black - no tips or stripes...! Unless they have changed in the past few years?!?

I've been taking Karate- Shotokan Karate- for about 5 years.
I weild the staff and I kick @$$ with it.
My favorite Martial Arts movie would have to be either Mortal Kombat or The Matrix Trilogy.
Bruce Lee is the bomb.

Hmm, he got his thumb cut off in a fight? interesting... I have a feeling that was not a tournament.

Another question has struck(ouch) my mind.
What is the actual difference between a short sword and a big knife?

Cyborg_wolf Wrote: Just a quick question, because i gotta go, could anyone explain a little bit about Wing Chun? I heard it's a style that is based on the crane, and has a lot of hand trapping techniques, but i wondered if any of you guys know anything more?

Hmmm I don't know too much about Wing Chun but I know someone who knows more about it. Nindz is the man to look for when it comes to styles such as Hapkido, Sambo, Wing Chun, etc.

It does have a lot of hand trapping techniques and it's a deceptive style with the hand movements. If I remember correctly, a nun created this style and she tried to base it off of moves from the Shaolin systems. Wing Chun is part of the Southern Shaolin system.

Ok, thank you. I was wondering, how many animal styles are there? I know of Dragon,Snake,Tiger,Crane,Monkey,Praying Mantis, and i think there is a Panther style too, but how many more do you know of? And, if you know, what is specific to each style? And is the correct term Drunken Boxing,or is it something else?

AussieNinja Wrote: krsx66 Wrote: Man, Judo takes along time to get to a high rank - I'm surprised you did it for so long. I took Judo for 5 1/2 years and only reached Green Belt (w/ two blue stripes) and I was good too, I was taught by a former Olympic Judo medalist (can't remember if hw had won gold though) but he was missing the top of one of his thumbs which got cut off in another martial arts fight. Ive always like Tae Kwon Do, so maybe in the future I'll take that up. Hmm Judo rankings don't have tips/stripes! And surely there aren't different rankings in different countries. Rankings in Judo are White, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, Brown, Black - no tips or stripes...! Unless they have changed in the past few years?!?

I took JUDO in England for 5 years and I'm telling you that I reached Green Belt two blue. Maybe in other countries or schools they do it differently.
I'll even scan my belt if you want! And your right about the belt colours, but some schools (mostly in Japan, start w/ a red belt then progress to white) In my Judo school, if at testing time you didn't jump an entire belt colour (if you moved at all) you would recieve either 1-3 stripes of the colour of the next belt, and when you reached the fourth you would upgrade to the next belt. Maybe it was just easier for my Sensai - but when I moved to Canada and took Judo for 1/2 a year my new Sensai never said anything about the two blue stripes - I can't remember though if anyone had them on their belts here...

I gess belt colors and ratings vary from country to country, and sensei to sensei. In Sweden, where i live, and trained, they do the stripe thing. But that is maybe just Wado-Ryu.

Cyborg_wolf Wrote: I gess belt colors and ratings vary from country to country, and sensei to sensei. In Sweden, where i live, and trained, they do the stripe thing. But that is maybe just Wado-Ryu.

Exactly, I thought the stripes were done elsewhere.

Ni hao guys!

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GD