Nathan
08-26-2000, 01:35 AM
There has been some discussion as to nature of a proper mantis gung fu form. As I may have stated in the pass, "It's all subjective", but the following points may be of interest.
1. The word TRADITIONAL:
an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom)
REF: http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary
2. The word CLASSCIAL.
/infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.giff or relating to a form or system considered of first significance in earlier times--------
c : conforming to a pattern of usage sanctioned by a body of literature rather than by everyday speech
REF: http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary
Now with these terms in mind, the issue of what is a proper northern mantis form becomes more interesting.
In terms, of a forms being traditional a form should have the features of a said system of gung fu. These features could include, but not limited to, stances, footwork, form floor patterning, combat application, breathing, and social customs. Who determines this standard of performance? In the Chiu Leun sect of mantis its usually one of the more senior students of the sect, all of whom have studied 7star at least twenty years. We also can only speak for our sect, AND NOT OTHERS, I REPEAT AND NOT SECTS OR STYLE OR TEACHERS. This standard of performance is why we go to local New York competitions and judge from time to time, so standard are maintained for our sect members. Now, if see a form we dont know, we DONT throw it out. We just judge it on content and ask the contestant before we judge them who taught them that form for reference purposes.
Now, if we see a forms that is not form our sect we judge it on the execution of the mantis movements, based on knowledge of overall northern mantis. Point deductions, having to perform a second form, or being asked to go to another division are some of the things that have been asked, when conflict does arise. One point on this issue: if promoters had contestants list which possible forms they may do before a competition before hand in the a traditional competition, it would be a good starting place toward clearing up some issues
In terms of being classical meaning a form should be traceable to some written source with historical meaning within the confines of a particular lineage of a gung fu system. This written source should have the name of the movement. Again, such names will be subjective but should reflect the historical name or meaning a movement chain and its kinetic parts
Now, this is a hard test because such sources are usually in Chinese and may not even be available to a teacher or their students. Both may have learn a form by spoken word or physical demonstration. In such cases the forms should be reviewed for its traditional content and not viewed as classical until it has been codified in some forms, even on video with sound for the speaking out the names of the movements.
NOTE: Some forms may not meet the SUBJECTIVE standards set above and of course be a good mantis form. I have seen some really great mantis forms in the open division at some competitions. Myself and other gung fu brother have created forms and drills ourselves. The thing is, we tell people we created these forms and their its not classically from our systems, but it may be useful and sometimes traditional favor. Such material are for our own practice and fun, Most of which is not taught or seen by outsiders, usually.
PS: all of the above is opinion only.
Nathan
1. The word TRADITIONAL:
an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom)
REF: http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary
2. The word CLASSCIAL.
/infopop/emoticons/icon_redface.giff or relating to a form or system considered of first significance in earlier times--------
c : conforming to a pattern of usage sanctioned by a body of literature rather than by everyday speech
REF: http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary
Now with these terms in mind, the issue of what is a proper northern mantis form becomes more interesting.
In terms, of a forms being traditional a form should have the features of a said system of gung fu. These features could include, but not limited to, stances, footwork, form floor patterning, combat application, breathing, and social customs. Who determines this standard of performance? In the Chiu Leun sect of mantis its usually one of the more senior students of the sect, all of whom have studied 7star at least twenty years. We also can only speak for our sect, AND NOT OTHERS, I REPEAT AND NOT SECTS OR STYLE OR TEACHERS. This standard of performance is why we go to local New York competitions and judge from time to time, so standard are maintained for our sect members. Now, if see a form we dont know, we DONT throw it out. We just judge it on content and ask the contestant before we judge them who taught them that form for reference purposes.
Now, if we see a forms that is not form our sect we judge it on the execution of the mantis movements, based on knowledge of overall northern mantis. Point deductions, having to perform a second form, or being asked to go to another division are some of the things that have been asked, when conflict does arise. One point on this issue: if promoters had contestants list which possible forms they may do before a competition before hand in the a traditional competition, it would be a good starting place toward clearing up some issues
In terms of being classical meaning a form should be traceable to some written source with historical meaning within the confines of a particular lineage of a gung fu system. This written source should have the name of the movement. Again, such names will be subjective but should reflect the historical name or meaning a movement chain and its kinetic parts
Now, this is a hard test because such sources are usually in Chinese and may not even be available to a teacher or their students. Both may have learn a form by spoken word or physical demonstration. In such cases the forms should be reviewed for its traditional content and not viewed as classical until it has been codified in some forms, even on video with sound for the speaking out the names of the movements.
NOTE: Some forms may not meet the SUBJECTIVE standards set above and of course be a good mantis form. I have seen some really great mantis forms in the open division at some competitions. Myself and other gung fu brother have created forms and drills ourselves. The thing is, we tell people we created these forms and their its not classically from our systems, but it may be useful and sometimes traditional favor. Such material are for our own practice and fun, Most of which is not taught or seen by outsiders, usually.
PS: all of the above is opinion only.
Nathan