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The History of Kung Fu
Kung Fu's history is extremely controversial. A large number believe that
Bodhidharma, (also called Ta Mo), an Indian Buddhist monk is the founder of
Kung Fu. Throughout history credit has been given to Bodhidharma as a creator
of Sil Lum Kung Fu or the man responsible for introducing the martial arts to
China. But some believe that Kung Fu was already in existence long before
Bodhidharma arrived in China. There are vague references to a King in China
some thousands of years ago who trained his men in techniques of hand-to-hand
combat to use against invading barbarians. Some historians date it as far back
as the Shang dynasty (16th century B.C.). Others date it back to the time of
Huang Ti Emperor (475-221 B.C.). The first written record we have of Chinese
martial arts is from a Taoist acupuncturist from the 5th century.
"Wu Shu" is the Chinese term that translates into "military art." Wushu in its
early stages served as a means to build up health, fitness, cure disease,
prolong life, temper the fighting skills and character and wills, and train
military skills, for the members of the societies. Intense military conflicts
progressed the further development of Wushu. Wushu matured and formed complete
systems of offense and defense.
During late Shang and Zhou Dynasty (1027-777 B.C.), Wushu was not only used for
military training but became part of the school education subjects. As time
progressed, innumerable people tempered and processed Wushu in different ways.
During the period of Warring States (770-221 B.C.), the heads of states and
government advocated Wushu in their armies and kept Wushu masters for their own
purposes. During the Tang and Sung Dynasties (618-1279), many civil Wushu
organizations came into existence. Military Wushu developed more systematically
and exhibitions of Wushu arts were held in the armies as morale boosters and
military exercises.
 Wushu Develops Internationally
By China's Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911), Wushu had formed its basic
patterns and was at its height. The Republic Government established the Central
Wushu Institute in Nanjing in 1928. After its establishment, local Wushu
institutes were created in provinces, cities and counties. Two National Wushu
Meets were held by the Central Wushu Institute in 1928 and 1933 in Nanjing,
which carried out competitions on long weapons, short weapons, free sparring
and wrestling. In 1939, the Chinese Wushu Team gave a demonstration in Berlin
at the XI Olympic Games. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China
in 1949, Wushu has become a part of the socialist culture and the people's
physical education and sports. The latter half of the 20th century has seen a
great upswing in the interest in Wushu globally due to the lectures and
exhibitions given by Wushu delegations, teams, instructors and experts.
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