Various Hung Kyun 洪拳 lineages taught various weapon sparring sets, many of which have been lost. The old image above, from the Lam Sai Wing Memorial Book (published in 1951), features Grandmaster Chiu Kao (趙教 Jiu Gaau) and his eldest son, Grandmaster Chiu Wai (趙偉 Jiu Wai), performing Long Bench Versus Big Broadsword (Cheung Dan Deui Daai Dou 長櫈對大刀). Continue reading
Today the emphasis in martial arts training is usually put on bare-handed skills and techniques, as well as practical self-defense against common weapons like the knife, gun, baseball bat, baton etc.
Anyone who is concerned about reality-based self protection should follow the first rule: Get armed! It was the same in the past in China, be it in the army, or local militia: major emphasis was put on weapon training. Continue reading