Gewu Kang

The Spring and Autmun of Chinese Martial Arts is another outstanding work from Professor Kang Gewu, the first that has been translated into English. This book is a milestone for the Chinese Martial Arts scholar and enthusiast. It reaches out a helping hand and offers a guide to the martial arts researchers who have been lost in the jungle of swordsman fiction and kung fu movies-Adam Hsu Traditional Wushu Association Chinese Martial Arts (wushu) are beloved throughout the world. Tai chi, chi kung, and kung fu are just a few of the many styles practiced and studied by millions of enthusiasts. The Spring and Autumn of Chinese Martial Arts is the first major English-language history of Chinese Martial Arts. Beginning with the earliest archaeological findings and progressing in timeline fashion to the present, it details dozens of famous styles and personages. The Spring and Autumn of Chinese Martial Arts conveys the thrilling panorama of an important part of Chinese culture. It affords an overview that every martial student will find essential. Professor Kang Gewu, an authority on Chinese Wushu, has travelled throughout China gathering data, compling information and conducting research. He is one of the new brand of scholars who seeks to preserve the treasure that is the martial arts. Contents Introduction A bridge Foreword Explanatory notes Preface Definition of wushu Functions of wushu Classifications of wushu The chronology of chinese wushu history I The germination of wushu in remote antiquity (about 1.7 million years to 21st centruy B.C.) II The shaping of ancient wushu systems (21st centruy B.C. to 221 B.C.) III The enrichment and development of ancient wushu (221 B.C. to A.D. 960) IV The maturity of ancient folk wushu (960 to 1644) V Modern wushu moves towards sport develpment (1644 to 1949) VI Contemporary wushu enters into competition and comprehensive development (1949 to present) Appendices 1 Index to selected terms in pinyin 2 Illustration notes 3 A brief Chinese chronology 4 Unites of weights and measures 5 Sketch map of China… (meer)