The Weaponry of Tang Lang Quan

[Shaolin Master]

Recently there have been many wonderful arrays of discussions by Mantis108, Tainan and those associated with Illya regarding the development and constitution of Praying Mantis supported by accurate documentation and principles.

It would thus been interesting to also do they same with the weaponry of PM, which did each teacher specialise? or contribute how did they evolve? were they (as often occurs) borrowed from other styles or parent ones? which are older ? which conincide with all PM traditions (Wah Lum, Mei Hua (Taijimeihua), Taiji, Qi Xing, 8Bu, MiMen etcc...)

Now although the art is more important it would be interesting to hear some well researched individuals and their findings to the weapons of PM

Thanks in advance. (& thanks for all the other wonderful discussions)

Rgds
SCL

[Tainan Mantis]

Shaolin Master,
What weapons and what PM do you practice?

Ilya has learned from his meihwa PM master Wang Yuanchien at least 4 weapons.
These were passed down from Jiang Hualong and Song Dzde.
Their teacher, Liang Hsuehsiang, also wrote in private manuscripts about weapons.
-staff
-broadsword
-double handed straight sword
-spear(mostly 2 man drills)

In my opinion the weapons are based on the physics of the weapon itself and not the empty hand style.
What is most important are the 2 man drills.
So when doing a saber drill with your partner you won't be trying to do a PM, but just to get the coordination and timing right.

[yu shan]

Tainan Mantis

Why do not speak of Shr ZhengZhong and our Lineage?

[Tainan Mantis]

yu shan,
It is the same lineage descended from Jiang Hualong.

Shr Zhengzhong's weapons sets are almost beyond counting. Learned from many teachers of varied styles besides PM, including Southern style.

It will take a long time to mention just the ones I know.
Of high mention are two stick sets.

One is called 6 Harmony stick. It is from Wu Shaolin of Shandong
The other is even more well known called Panlong Stick. It is the same system as the first one. But was taught by Wang Juejen. Although he is from Ss Chuan this form was also taught in Shandong.

The specialty of the first form is its 2 person set. It can be broken down into short drills or done as one long 2 person form.

Understanding it enables one to understand most of the second one. If you have also learned the 2 person spear drills then you'll probably find Panlong stick very interesting.

One of his spear sets is originally from Shaolin and is called simply Shaolin spear. It was also originally taught at Shaolin supposedly, but later was taught in Shandong.

It is about 30% and 70% staff. So it uses a shorter spear than the one you would use if you did pure 100% spear.

As far as pure PM weapon sets in Taiwan I don't know of any.
Of Secret Door PM Zhang didn't teach any although I have heard from Su Yuzhang's other students that he taught cane or short stick.

Li Kunshan's short stick and spear technique were supposedly his family style and not from PM. Not to say they weren't good. In fact they were most likely similar if not the same, but at this time I can not say.

[Shaolin Master]

two sources :

Singapore (7 Star) and PRC (Liuhe & some other unsure).

Weapons
Double handed jian we have also, Wu Hu Duan Men Qiang as well.....will elaborate later.

[mantis108]

GM Chiu in CCK TCPM taught a lot of weapons including a Samurai sword ( don't know if someone still practice it though). Personally, to really appreciate the flavor of GM Chiu's Kung Fu. One should take up the sword, whipchain, and most of all ropedart. All these 3 have the same thing in common which is the 5 faculties of action have to be unitied as one. Expressing hard with the soft and finding stillness in the moments are rather difficult to do. :D

Mantis108