Posted by: Mark Hill
China v Okinawa v Japan v Taiwan - 03/26/08 07:03 PM
1. Do I really want to learn the original forms as practiced in China? How much longer is Kuan Muan Tsou than Wanduan? Is it reptitive? Are the applications lost? (did the Chinese teach the forms by parts?) Did the Okinawans improve on things given they had a blend of martial arts described here:
http://www.koryu-uchinadi.com/original_five_fighting_arts.htm
(but then again the Chinese did as well). But watching an old master perform Nepai, does he do it softly for function or because he is ready to kick the bucket?
2. I have seen a lot of stuff on pay television "cable" "TV" about martial arts. It appears that much was lost post Mao, but a lot was left unmolested on Taiwan, also from those fleeing the mainland. Would a trip to Taiwan be the most frutiful for a Karateka trying to get back to Okinawan roots? I've suspected this for a while.
http://www.koryu-uchinadi.com/original_five_fighting_arts.htm
(but then again the Chinese did as well). But watching an old master perform Nepai, does he do it softly for function or because he is ready to kick the bucket?
2. I have seen a lot of stuff on pay television "cable" "TV" about martial arts. It appears that much was lost post Mao, but a lot was left unmolested on Taiwan, also from those fleeing the mainland. Would a trip to Taiwan be the most frutiful for a Karateka trying to get back to Okinawan roots? I've suspected this for a while.