A Summary of Chinese Martial Arts

What was fascinating was while learning about the Chinese Martial Arts, there were two major forms known as Wushu & Kung-fu.  These martial arts began only as self defense and training for Chinese Soldiers during the reign of the Yellow Emperor.  During the Shang dynasty, Confucius suggested to Duke Ding to practice both the literary and martial artforms, thus allowing non-military individuals the chance to learn the form for health reasons as well.  

From these martial art forms, came influences with weapons such as the swords and spears.  As time went on, many different groups of Chinese developed their own styles and forms based on their location and leadership.  Even the Shaolin Monasteries became training grounds for martial arts, not just for defense but for healthy exercise.  Of the many common Chinese martial art forms of today include:   Bagua, Drunken Boxing, Eagle Claw, Five Animals, Hsing I, Hung Gar, Lau Gar, Monkey, Tiger, Bak Mei Pai, Praying Mantis, Fujian White Crane, Wing Chun, and Tai Chi Chuan.  Many of these martial art forms have cross over seas and merged with different fighting styles all over the world.  During the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States period (770 B.C. - 221 A.D.), a woman competed in a sword competition by the name of Yuh Niuy.  After the competition to understand how she used a sword, she shared philosophies which have been passed down through writings such as:

"When fencing, though highly alert,

  The appearance is as calm as a fair lady's

  But when in action, a vicious Tiger emerges."

These teachings on style and form influenced philosophy where many forms became a lifestyle of internal and external training.  It was only when both mental and physical aspects of the training showed the most effective results.  I personally would love to study a form.  The hardest part is picking just one to start off with. We'll see when I get back home to the States.

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References:

Shouyu, Liang.  "An Introduction to Chinese Martial Arts".  Located at www.nardis.com/~twchan/liang.html

Pictures provided by:

Wikipedia.  Chinese Martial Arts.  Located at http://enwikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_martial_arts

Chinese Acrobats

Acrobats are highly regarded in China, and take many years of practice to master the art. Children begin intense training as young as four, and begin training with a troupe around age eight. For roughly two years, children practice the fundamentals, like flexibility, strength, and balancing. Following these two years, children will practice particular routines for four or five years, until they are ready to perform around age sixteen.
Along with their physical strength and ability, acrobats practice Chi Kung. This Asian philosophy focuses on inner strength and aims to get the mind and body to work in harmony.
Over the past few decades, the Chinese have formed over 120 troupes with more than 12,000 acrobats. These acrobats have traveled to over one hundred countries to entertain and strengthen international bonds. Some traditional Chinese acrobatic routines include; "Lion Dance, Cycling Feats, Tight-wire feats, Traditional Style Conjuring, Hoop Diving, and Wushu."

Rural Life in Jinshan

Finding information on rural life in the Jinshan District was difficult, however, I will be able to enrich my blog after we visit the countryside in a few days.
The Jinshan District (or 金山区), is one of the largest of Shanghi's 19 districts. It is located in the southwest part of the city. There are over 550,000 people living in 586 sq. kilometers. The Jinshan District has beautiful beaches, and is deeply rooted in cultural traditions.
Some of these traditions include black ceramic arts and crafts, and peasant paintings. Although I could not find much information on the Jinshan District in general, I did find a few resources discussing the well known traditional peasant paintings. These paintings were popularized in the late 70's when peasants discovered beautiful paintings created by the farmers. Their art was put on display at the Shanghi Art Museum and the art quickly became famous, and called the "Jinshan Farmer's Paintings."
The Jinshan District has undergone some developement in recent years. Leaders followed an approach described as, “recognizing the situation, facing up to the difficulties, solving problems, seizing opportunities and making progress.” There has always been, and remains considerable agricultural activity, however, industrial progress has been made and an infrastructure is being built. One major company taking advantage of this progress is Shanghi's Petrochemical Company, which is headquartered in the district.

Cloisonné

Having been ordered to return with copious amounts of Cloisonné goodies for both Mother’s Day and all around souvenir gifts, urged me to dig into what it actually was. Since we are going to be visiting the Cloisonné factory, I thought others might want to know what goes into these delicate designs.

This idea of inlaying colorful materials onto a metal base actually began in Egypt in 1800 B.C. by soldering wire to create cavities. It continued on through the centuries; the Greeks used powdered glass to color their works.

Cloisonne as a Chinese art form originated in Beijing during the Yuan dynasty (1271-1368). The bright blue color, a favorite in the Orient, was created during the reign emperor of the ‘Jingtai’ period of the Ming dynasty. This blue came to be known as ‘Jingtai Blue’ or 'The Blue of Jingtai.' The process evolved over the centuries creating a wider range of colors, more intricate designs, and a furthering of what was made as cloisonné.

The process of making cloisonné consists of adhering a pattern of metal wire to a metal (usually bronze but can also be brass) surface, whether that be a vase, bead, snuff box, or jewelry. There are two methods of bonding the wire design to the metal base. Either gluing the design of wire to the product and then firing the piece to bond the metal together (the glue is evaporated in the firing process) or soldering the form to the base (this seems to be more common). The wire design results in cellular spaces, called cloisons (French for “partitions” or “compartments”), these cloisons are then filled with an enamel paste made from crushed glass or other pigments. The enamel is dried then fired in an oven to melt it to the metal. Since the enamel may shrink from firing, this process may be repeated as needed to achieve a desired result. The whole piece is then ground down and polished to desired smoothness. The metal of the cloisons is then covered with gold by electroplating.

The end product was so desirable that the Japanese soon adopted it and China has become the standard by which cloisonné is judged worldwide. Anyway, I found the whole thing interesting especially since all the women of my family have been making requests for it. I feel like a cloisonné mule, providing bootlegged art for the masses.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

TCM or Traditional Chinese Medicine includes treatments, theories and diagnosis such as acupuncture, herbal medicine and massage. It is largely based on the philosophical concept that the body is a small universe with a perfect set of interconnected systems that maintain healthy function. While this medical practice is often considered alternative medicine, many of the benefits are undeniable.  

The philosophy behind TCM is similar to that of the Taoist philosophy, which emphasizes the importance of a strong relationship between the environment and human beings. Yin-yang, the Five Phases, Zang Fu organ  theory, and the human body Channel system are also a few of the sources that make Traditional Chinese Medicine what it is.

I am so glad we will be learning more about Traditional Chinese Medicine in China. I have seen acupuncture clinics and the like in the United States but it will be interesting to learn about the practice straight from the horse's mouth. I wonder how Chinese Medicine in the U.S. and Chinese Medicine in China differs?  I bet I will find out when visiting the Chinese medicine museum on the 7th day of the field study! See you there!!!!

  

Vegetarianism in China?

It is almost time to go to China!  All the excitement has been building for so long and it is amazing that the trip is just about here.  A few of my friends are worried for my safety and whatnot, but I have no doubts about that. The only thing on my mind is food.

I live off of a Vegetarian diet here in the states, so I have spent some time thinking about what obstacles I will face during the upcoming trip. My friend Lily went on last year's journey and ended up living off of white rice and watermelon. While these are both completely delicious, I am not sure if eating only that for 12 days straight is beneficial. 

After some research I discovered that meat is often times a status symbol in China.  Buying and eating meat remains an indicator of material success. Vegetarianism is not highly common, but it has been around since the 7th Century and is often practiced by devout Buddhists. This fairly rare diet has begun to see a resurgence in the cities, and while there are certain places to get meat-free food, I am not sure if we will be visiting them.  

I looked up the phrase "I eat Vegetarian," which is Wo Chur Su and stocked up on granola bars. I have read other posts about Vegetarians going to China and their experiences.

The good thing is I am going to keep an open mind and whole-heartedly enjoy this experience with a new culture.  If someone makes me veggies soaked in chicken fat, then I will eat it up and see what happens to my body, instead of denying it and offending them. I realize I have no worries, just an amazing expedition ahead of me.  I am willing to face any food challenges ahead...plus white rice is one of my favorite staples and Gandhi survived his 21 day fast!

Buddhism and the Lama Temple

Ok, let's not deny it. Most likely, when we think of Buddhism, we think of a monk sitting in robes and meditating in a garden. This religion started in India, but it spread throughout Asia, including China. The main foci of Chinese Buddhism are those of Pure Land and Zen. Pure Land claims that nirvana cannot be obtained by simply meditation, but rather only pure devotion can grant one the “Pure Land”. Zen focuses on meditation and that, in order to obtain the Buddha-like nature, one must meditate and be mindful of daily experiences. What I would like to know is how the ever-westernizing China has changed its beliefs and followings of the Buddhist religion?

One of the largest and most important of the Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the world is the Yonghe Temple in Beijing. Another name for this temple is the “Palace of Peace and Harmony Lama Temple”, or the less formal “Lama Temple”. This temple was built in 1694 and was initially an official residence for court eunuchs. In 1722, half of the building was converted into the monastery while the other half remained an imperial palace. The building was opened to the public after the Cultural Revolution in 1981. Within the temple, there are five halls: The Hall of the Heavenly Kings, The Hall of Harmony and Peace, The Hall of Everlasting Protection, The Hall of the Wheel of the Law, and The Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happinesses.

There are many famous statues in the Lama Temple, including the Buddhas of the Three Ages, the Five-Hundred-Arhat-Hill, and the Maitreya Buddha. The Buddhas of the Three Ages are three bronze statues of the Buddha of the Past, Present, and Future stanging in order from right to left in the Hall of Harmony and Peace. A statue of the healing Buddha, Bhaisajya-guru, stands in the Hall of Everlasting Protection. The Five-Hundred-Hrhat-Hill is a carving made of red sandalwood with the statues of those who achieved nirvana made of five different metals (gold, silver, copper, iron, and tin) and is located in the Hall of the Wheel of the Law. The Maitreya Buddha is the Buddha of the future carved out of a single piece of white sandalwood that stands 26 meters tall. Three different artworks in the Lama Temple were in the Guinness Book of Records in 1993.

Feng Shui- Chic or Old School?

About a week ago, I was telling one of my friends about this blog assignment. When I told her that I was thinking about writing about feng shui, she asked what interior decorating had to do with China. Of course, not wanting to be a total jerk to her, I told her that the decoration version is based off of ancient Chinese ideals.

Feng shui is not just about placing bamboo in a glass vase with shiny black rocks at the bottom, like most American's have simplified it to be. The art of feng shui is a belief that incorporates astronomy into everyday decisions in order to create correlations between humans and the universe. This art is not just some painting you hang on a wall, but rather this is real serious business, especially in pre-modern Chinese politics. Feng shui started around 4000 B.C., and is still used today.

What decorators and designers around the world have done is taken the essential aspect of attaining Chi and modified it to finding the right flow. For example, an interior decorator places furniture in a certain arrangement so that the room can flow, or an architect can design a building so that it can have an astronomical flow. An example of such a building stands in Hong Kong, and has a square hole horizontally though the middle of it so that the Chi can be achieved.

I am interested to see both how feng shui has affected the modern architecture and design, as well as to see how the younger generation views the importance of these beliefs. Also, here in the United States, feng shui is one of the interior decorating crazes; America’s Next Top Model is totally rockin’ it; but what about in its homeland of China? Is it really ‘hip’ there or is it something of the past?

National College Entrance Examination

So I don't have much background information about this particular subject since my week has been pretty hectic (in fact, the week before was even crazier) so this is really just last minute research. Like Lindsey, I used Wikipedia to get my information. I know it's not the most reliable source, but it's the quickest.

So the National College Entrance Examination is held annually in mainland China, and there is no age restriction on who can take it (as of 2001), even though it is usually required for students to take before they can enter college or university.
My main focus is on how the students feel about the exams. I understand that with anything even slightly important there is always going to be an agreement and opposition to it. I learned that some of the major opposition to it is that most people think that it only focuses and tests how much a student has been able to learn/memorize during their lifetime. I think this sounds a lot like the standardized testing that American students are subjected to every year during their primary, secondary, and high school years.

I'm excited about going and being able to talk to students in my own age range, because, like Lindsey, whenever Ive been to a foreign country I never really get the chance to talk to anyone, instead am stuck as part of a crowd of tourists. I'm really looking forward to this!

Pandas-The Foreign Policy Commodity

It is hard to see the 3 foot tall, 250 pound panda as anything else but an adorable ball of fluff and innocence that stuffs itself on bamboo. However, the giant panda has turned into a commodity by becoming the foreign policy weapon of China.
China will loan a panda to foreign countries for a ten year period costing 10 million dollars. Pandas are loaned to other countries as a friendly gesture in order to improve and/or maintain international relations.
This all seems nice and friendly, but the serious issues surrounding the giant panda is being ignored.
The giant panda is one of the world's most endangered species; there are roughly 1,600 pandas living in the wild. This is because female pandas reproduce so slowly-only once a year, and the male pandas have a notoriously low sex drive. The pandas' natural habitat in the mountains of Sichuan province is getting smaller and smaller each year. Farming and economic pressures continue to push the pandas higher and higher up into the mountains causing significant habitat loss and bamboo loss for the pandas. However, the Chinese government has been making many strides in association with the World Wildlife Fund to help teach and uphold conservation of the natural habitat.
I find it difficult to support sending an endangered species from its natural habitat to foreign country just to have the panda sit in a zoo where people can gawk and stare at these helpless animals.
I'm very interested in hearing whether the Chinese people consider the panda a commodity and whether they support panda diplomacy.
Pandas are only found in a few mountain ranges of China, if I were Chinese, I wouldn't want to exploit such a rare and unique creature.

Chinese Cinema

Wow, I don't feel like such a procrastinator anymore now that I see that only one other person has posted their blog! I was also assigned to write about Chinese cinema, however my knowledge is not quite as extensive as Cecil's.
As wikipedia tells me, motion pictures were introduced into China in 1896 and the first recorded screening was in August of that year in Shanghai. The film industry was mainly run by foreigners (making great diplomatic strides) in the beginning stages and shanghai became the center of all the action.
What I'm really curious about in Chinese cinema is what the Chinese students think of our American cinema. I want to compare and contrast the differences of the booming and busting Hollywood and Shanghai movie scene. Is China plagued by the obsession of celebrities as well? Is Shanghai as corrupt as Hollywood? Are there many types of genres? Is the same kind of equipment used? ...I mean I know almost everything is made in China...
When I visited China last summer, I never really got the chance to interact with students or people my age since I was stuck with the family being the annoying tourists with the cameras out all the time. I mean, a few people came up to us to ask to get their picture taken with us, but it's not like I got the chance to ask, "so what do you think about Chinese cinema?" I think this will be a great opportunity to really get a taste of eachothers culture and lifestyles.
I'm so excited!!

The Chinese Film Industry

Well now that finals are over I have finally gotten some free time to prepare myself for the field study to China. From my class experience I presented on the Chinese Film Industry, and it's ever evolving balance between art and political purpose. Like it's western counterpart, Hollywood has seen the influence of independent film makers going out and making cheaper films than the bigger blockbusters. Giving more creditability to the artist, it only seems natural for the art to convey the message of it's creator to it's selected audience.

Having experienced the film schools of the States and am curious how differently the learning of the art can be in China? I'm looking forward to speaking to some of the Shanghai University students, and hopefully running into a fellow independent film-maker along the way. As the research gathered on the topic of Hollywood and Chinese Film combining in the ways of crossing over storylines and talented actors, there seems to be no end in possibilities.

Movies such as "The Departed" starring Leonardo DiCaprio & Matt Damon was actually a remake of a Chinese film titled "The Infernal Affair". But then on the flip side of that, Chinese actors Jackie Chan and Jet Li star for the first time in the english version of "Forbidden Kingdom", re-telling a classic Chinese fairytale. Speaking for an entertainment side, the more films one can make and sell in both markets is going to be much more profitable in the long run. With piracy of films so easy in the United States and China, it is no wonder that more money can be made off a tv-series based on a film, than multi-million dollar blockbuster release.
I'm looking forward to getting to know the Chinese Film Industry, like any art form, the more you experience the art first hand the better you will become in the art yourself.