Importance of staff fighting in Shaolin

[Djuan]

How is it important, on a scale of 1 to 10? and what forms aside from Yin Shou Gun would you attribute to 'signatures of Shaolin' style
next question: how is relative to Monks spade and Cudgel?
(very important question as these two 'weapons' are the only long poles specifically attributed to the Luohans/Shaolin warriormonks)
I have no idea why/how these weapons became important, outside of folklore, and use in movies.
the guan I have attended never taught these forms, thought the curriculum was called "traditional Shaolin" , also the only staff form I have seen taught at large in the west is Yin Shou Gun, monkey king staff and drunken pole are "demo exotics" imo so I dont count them lol.
I learned yin shou gun when I was a teen first starting, and to this day havent learned any other staff forms, and I want to move forward with some more long (non blade/spear) pole training..
Amituofo

[GeneChing]

Fengmo Gun is a key staff set. We've discussed that here. (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?64616-Feng-Mo-or-YinShou-gun)

Fengmo Gun is the subject of Cheng Zongyou’s Exposition of the Original Shaolin Staff Method, cited as the earliest extant documentation that connects Shaolin and Staff (note that Yinshou Gun is part of this too).

I'm actually chipping on some research about Fengmo gun right now for a feature I'm working on that will be in our WINTER 2020 issue. So subscribe (https://www.martialartsmart.com/19341.html). ;)

[Djuan]

Fengmo Gun is a key staff set. We've discussed that here. (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?64616-Feng-Mo-or-YinShou-gun)

Fengmo Gun is the subject of Cheng Zongyou’s Exposition of the Original Shaolin Staff Method, cited as the earliest extant documentation that connects Shaolin and Staff (note that Yinshou Gun is part of this too).

I'm actually chipping on some research about Fengmo gun right now for a feature I'm working on that will be in our WINTER 2020 issue. So subscribe (https://www.martialartsmart.com/19341.html). ;)

Give thanks!
I knew you had to have at least a thread on it, and there's more than enough info for me to work with in that thread by itself!


Amituofo

[GeneChing]

I knew you had to have at least a thread on it, and there's more than enough info for me to work with in that thread by itself!


Yes, that's the point of all this to my way of thinking. Well, that and sell some gear (https://www.martialartsmart.com) so we can pay the bills around here, ya know? ;)

If you want to know more about the significance of Cheng Zongyou’s pivotal treatise, I suggest you read The Shaolin Monastery: History, Religion, and the Chinese Martial Arts by Meir Shahar (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?49464-The-Shaolin-Monastery-History-Religion-and-the-Chinese-Martial-Arts-by-Meir-Shahar) (yeah, we got a thread on that too :cool: )

[Djuan]

Nice video about a young warrior monk and his staff practice


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voUKfe4VUKs&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR0uNzD3efV9XCxyxhOJ9kDDqYxOzJGc9IIAmlgLQ-9000XEpRxcUtq5RkI

what I like about this series of videos, is they each show the monks in their normal element, without ignoring the cameras presence. Like this one, the young monk talks about helping the films crews film, which is great..people like to bash Shaolin as putting on a front or show, as if we dont know how popular it is, and how much filming, tourism, and exposure the temple gets.
For instance, Ranton choosing to entertain the critics about the BBC documentary. Thankfully Ranton didnt help outsiders bash the morale of the temple, he just shared his insights from within, a lot of which is common sense. like we know they film the historical sites more because they look cooler, and we know scripting some of the dialogue happens because BBC is geared towards a non-Chinese speaking audience.
This CGTN series seems a bit more unscripted.
!! any and all press representing Shaolin culture in a positive and honest way gets quadruple support !!

[Djuan]

another great video, my favorite part is around 5:02 (https://youtu.be/_CBKWd8RoDc?t=302) where he's trying to imagine himself in 'casual clothes' and figures what fits him best is the robe. also he speaks on the young monks adapting to the times, using phones, buying new products etc.... this series is a big win for me, first time we have seen the balance presented this way. most networks try two approaches, the "Shaolin is a secret ancient temple that hasn't grown or adapted to modern times in any form" presentation, or "the western guys goes to Shaolin to train and wow looooook at the old stuff" ......every video in this series keeps it thorough in not overselling the ancient aspect of the temple, or over mystifying the training. Also in giving a small glimpse in how the monks who actually live in the temple, deal with modern times and adapt to their preference as Shaolin endures.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CBKWd8RoDc

Amituofo