Taiji vs. White Crane, Macau 1954

[CFT]

Since the forum changes the search doesn't seem to go back beyond the start of the year, so I can't resurrect the previous thread on this topic.

Someone posted a link on another forum about a new book on Chinese martial arts literature (wuxia), which focuses on the acclaimed author Jin Yong. The author of the book is John Christopher Hamm, an assistant professor in the Department of Asian Languages and Literature, University of Washington.

Anyway, the first chapter is available as a PDF. What is interesting is a detailed section on the Taiji vs. White Crane "fight" that took place in Macau, 1954. This event seems to serve as the inspiration for a piece of writing in the "New School" of MA fiction. I don't know what he used as references, you'll need to buy the book for that I guess.

But he has all the names, dates, places, lead up, the event itself, and the aftermath. A short and diverting read. I've only ever heard the gossip about the fight, never actually any detail, so this is quite a good read.

NOTE: the event is described from page 3 onwards.

[David Jamieson]

um, isn't there a clip of that fight available for viewing?

and having viewed it, I would have to say that it is not something worth talking about much less write lol. It was a pathetic display in my opinion by both contestants, and I can't apologize if that ruffles anyones feathers, but come on, that was the sloppiest goofiest thing I've seen coming from 2 alleged masters of kungfu.

In my opinion, it kind of makes kungfu look stupid, and is probably best left to die. **** the cameraman for exposing such clear bumbling about. Rules or no rules, excuses excuses excuses. Truth is, both those guys defined a new level of suckage.

[CFT]

um, isn't there a clip of that fight available for viewing?

and having viewed it, I would have to say that it is not something worth talking about much less write lol.

It's worth talking about to the extent that even two supposed Masters can't display the signature style of their martial arts in a real fight. You can conclude that they can't fight or that is what real fights are like.

It just seems that the whole "match" was rather limited in duration to see how things would have developed. Who knows? With the "preliminaries" out of the way, they might have relaxed into it more. It just seems like they barely warmed up before it was over.

The reason I posted the link was just to provide more background info to the event, not that the fight was spectacular or anything like that.

[Palmer]

I agree that it was a terrible display but I wouldnt say that they did not display the signiture style of there martial arts. I had no trouble discerning who trained what without knowing either one of them. In my experience I find that in various forms of free fighting practitioners usually dont look that different from each other when they mix it up. Maybe that was the problem they were just too rigid and trying to force there training to come out who knows.....

[MoreMisfortune]

oh man that clip sucked
im 100% sure i could knock those masters out
even at the shape im at now

[Shaolinlueb]

oh man, thats not saying much

[MoreMisfortune]

true, man

[gfx]

It just shows how good people are at BSing.

Think about it, if this kind of fight can be retold so fantastically, how reliable can tales of the feats of other masters be?

This also goes to show how utter crap WuXia fictions are.

[CFT]

Think about it, if this kind of fight can be retold so fantastically, how reliable can tales of the feats of other masters be?

You've not actually read the article have you? There is nothing fantastical about the fight description at all; nothing flowery, just who hit whom and when, how they were hit and what the effect was. And just as it started, it was all over.

This also goes to show how utter crap WuXia fictions are.

It's just fiction, no need to get your panties in a twist. Again, if you'd read the article you'll find that Jin Yong's works are considered works of literature, not just regular pulp-fiction.

[lkfmdc]

The "fight" (and I'm tempted to not even dignify it with THAT term) is much hyped in CMA circles, until you SEE IT!!! It is the definition of "Sux water out of the canal" and is an embarassment to everyone in CMA.....

Which proves that stories about famous fights that no one has seen are probably not always accurate.....

[norther practitioner]

lol, maybe not EVERYONE... but most...

[Akhilleus]

Which proves that stories about famous fights that no one has seen are probably not always accurate.....

I think that is a very good point...since so many people place such stock and confidence in such fight stories...

[Judge Pen]

For old time's sake, someone whould post a link to that fight again.

[DragonzRage]

Coach Ross has dim mak'ed the correct.

That was the most pathetic display of fighting prowess I have ever witnessed. Nowadays you can see far higher levels of proficiency in a friggin' Muay Thai smoker or amateur San Shou match fought between 6-month newbies. Nevertheless, that fight was endlessly entertaining in its ridiculousness. I particularly love the Chinese commentator talking in Cantonese about how the Tai Chi master's movements are so graceful and deadly. lol, priceless! That epic duel will be forever immortalized on my hard drive =)

[Jhapa]

oh man that clip sucked
im 100% sure i could knock those masters out
even at the shape im at now

what clip?