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Thread: Where is all the Monkey Styles?

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  1. #1

    Where are all the Monkey Styles?

    Most of the old timers know that I am fascinated by the old Tai Tzu style of the Emperor Zhao Kuang Yin. Its a root style that many of the northern arts evolved from. Over the years, thanks to a great deal of help from researchers on this forum, i was able to find and learn 8 formal routines connected to Zhao Kuang Yin and his Tai Tzu Chang Quan style. Most were built by Shaolin based on loose techniques he taught them.

    Then there is the Monkey style associated with Zhao Kuang Yin. I never really found much on the art, other than it is sometimes called Six Stance Monkey Fist. I believe this is a confusion with the "Six Stance Fist" style listed in the Qi Jiguang manual that precedes it. Someone forgot to put a comma between the two. I have never found anyone who actually knows the style though.


    So here I am now, wondering about Monkey Fist in general, and wondering where I can find good examples of the really old Monkey fighting styles. Of course, I am looking for applications as much, or even more, than the forms.

    I keep finding this guy:

    https://warriorneigong.com/monkey-fi...or-qigong-set/

    But other than talking about how awesome and authentic his Monkey style is, theres precious little out there showing any of it, or discussing exactly what it is or how it fits into the history and over all picture of the various Monkey Kung Fu styles.

    Then you have Tai Shing...which looks like a newer style and not related to the ancient Monkey that would be associated with Zhao Kuang Yin, or even from a related time period. There seems to be a huge controversy about who knows it, and who doesnt, but teaches some kind of random yoga as if they did know it..(made it up and doesnt know it). I'd like to stay away from that one. Lots on it out there.

    My question:
    "Does anyone practice an authentic Monkey fighting style? Would you care to share what you know about it? Any video links to usage and what the forms look like?"
    Last edited by Royal Dragon Pi; 05-22-2022 at 02:23 AM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    Gotta plug some MartialArtSmart.com Monkey stuff to keep the lights on here...

    Good to have you back RD(P)


    Monkey Kung Fu Series


    I know this doesn't answer your inquiry but the 2001 MARCH/APRIL cover story I did on Chan Sau Chung is my off the cuff reference.

    Monkey King
    Chan Sau Chung's Journey to the West

    Gene Ching
    Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
    Author of Shaolin Trips
    Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart

  3. #3
    Is that the guy who was the real one?

    The other guy was the fake, right?

  4. #4
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    That is an ongoing debate between their respective camps...

    ... but we put him on the cover.
    Gene Ching
    Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
    Author of Shaolin Trips
    Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart

  5. #5
    LOL

    I guess that answers that!

    Have you come across any Legit Monkey style in your Shaolin travels (besides TSPK)?

    I have seen stuff outside of China, but nothing inside looked to be anything more than a performance.

  6. #6

    Basic monkey staff form

    We have a basic monkey staff form that has no goofy posing.

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h2I...ew?usp=sharing

    Sorry for the crappy video quality. I've been told our school is a mix of stuff coming out of hong kong.

  7. #7
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    Shaolin monkeys

    Quote Originally Posted by Royal Dragon Pi View Post
    Have you come across any Legit Monkey style in your Shaolin travels (besides TSPK)?
    Ha. Depends what you mean by legitimate. Remember traditional Kung Fu has deep roots in opera, and Journey to the West (Monkey-King) is a major opera piece. I've heard tell of a tournament in China that just focuses on monkey style to crown the 'monkey king' but I gather that it's predominantly an opera style competition.

    Most of the monkey style stuff I saw in Shaolin was performance wushu for demonstration. I heard tell of a traditional version that wasn't so showy/flowery propounded by a particular master that I once knew from one of his students but I didn't pursue that avenue of research. There's so much to unravel at Shaolin that I focused on my areas of interest and I don't do monkey.
    Gene Ching
    Publisher www.KungFuMagazine.com
    Author of Shaolin Trips
    Support our forum by getting your gear at MartialArtSmart

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