Which kung fu styles are on the verge of becoming extinct?

[LaterthanNever]

This has been mentioned in the past in different circles but I am curious to know some deeper feedback:

I know some hold the opinion that a few of the Hakka arts are getting close to evaporating(which is why I am honored to be learning Lung ying--southern dragon kf) and some have also said "Dog Boxing" and "duck fist".

Any others?


Thanks,
LTN

[JikJeung]

This has been mentioned in the past in different circles but I am curious to know some deeper feedback:

I know some hold the opinion that a few of the Hakka arts are getting close to evaporating(which is why I am honored to be learning Lung ying--southern dragon kf) and some have also said "Dog Boxing" and "duck fist".

Any others?


Thanks,
LTN

Probably more styles then we can name. Lau, Li, Mok and Choy all have very small followings.

[GeneChing]

Both Duck and Dog have been appearing regularly in Shaolin performances for the last few years. The Shaolin performances are just that - performances - but it has stimulated some interest in the traditional root styles and triggered a small resurgence in both styles.

For more on modern Shaolin animal styles, read Xiang Xing Quan: Inspiration from the Animal Kingdom By Stephen Chew and Shi Xu DeZheng in our NOV+DEC 2007 issue. I also wrote a two-part series (back when we published series) The Martial Menagerie: Exotic Animal Styles of Kung Fu. Part 1 was in OCT 1999 and Part 2 was in NOV 1999. Specific to Dog Style, read Shaolin Dog Boxing: An Interview with Master Zaipei Lin By Chen Pengcheng in our MAY+JUNE 2005 issue. I can't remember ever doing anything specifically on Duck Style. I'd welcome that.

[SteveLau]

I do not examples to give here. But I would to voice my view on why these styles are on the verge of becoming extinct. If we promote them more, then they will likely to become more popular, and vice-versa. The popularity of a style does not necessary reflect its skill level. One needs to look at its records in tournament.



Regards,

KC
Hong Kong

[MasterKiller]

They are all obsolete. Extinct is just semantics.

[Jimbo]

I won't list any specific styles, but IMO, promoting kung up styles more won't necessarily make them more popular *on the whole*. From what I see in today's environment, the only MAs gaining in popularity are the 4 accepted, standard arts used in MMA, and everybody knows what those are. Even most karate/TKD schools I see are mostly centered on kiddie and family karate, as opposed to the mostly hardcore, adult-centered schools common in the '70s. Except for MMA, interest in MA, period, has been on the decline. If this is true, then such declining interest will be even greater among many (most?) kung fu systems, which are far less common and far less available/promoted. They aren't 'where it's at' at this time.

Suppose a practitioner of a 'Hakka' (or any other kung fu) system competed in MMA and made it into the UFC, and was able to clearly and successfully incorporate some of his kung fu into his fighting. Even that would not guarantee his style would be saved from obscurity and become more popular. At best, he would be treated as an anomaly among the pundits and the fans.

OTOH, as long as there are SOME people who are dedicated enough to carry an art on, it won't become extinct. This will be true, even if none of US are ever aware of it.