Originally Posted by
mantid1
Mi, you make some good points but I cant totally agree with you. It is understood that the mantis has its own fighting theory, techniques, footwork...philosophy for the empty hand fighting. That is what makes it an individual "style" or "system" even though other styles use thier hands and feet as well.
Most people who have read a few magazines or books, like yourself, know that there were 18 weapons of shaolin...and were adopted by other systmes....etc.
But, the experienced martial artists knows that a particular style will at the very least have incorporated some of its own footwork into the weapons sets. Most legit styles have thier own fighiting theory or methods for each individual weapon. This doesnt mean it looks completely different than other styles....a staff is a staff and you can only use it so many ways.
So, if someone were to tell me that weapons were generic I would assume that individual has only done weapons training on a "forms" level with little understanding. I would also assume that the person doesnt understand their empty hand skills....since the you should be practicing fighting and drilling techniques with the weapons the same as you would for empty hand....and would hope could figure out it works the same for weapons.