First off, those who know me know that I am outspoken about the difference between Kung Fu and Wushu. Furthermore, I oppose the fallacy of modern Wushu Tanglang especially when those exponents try to convince the world that they have the goods just as the traditional Tanglang practitioners have. So I would like to outline the structure of Tanglangquan from the Greater Meihua Line perspective and to discern the difference. This structure is distinct and specific to Tanglangquan art and it is in no way shared by the Wushu sport factory mills.

Tanglangquan (Praying Mantis Pugilism)

I.

Tanglang Zhi Ti (Profile of Praying Mantis)
Tanglang Zhi Yong (Functions of Praying Mantis)
Tanglang Gang Ling (Concise of Praying Mantis)
Shi Er Zi Jue (12 Keywords)

I. a

Shou Fa Zhong Lun (Summary of Hand Method)
Duan Da Jin Yao (Short Strike Essentials)
Shou Fa Wu Lou (5 Leaks)
Shuang Dan Gou Shi Liu Zhe (16 Moves of Single and Double Hooks)
Ba Gang Fa (8 Rigidities)
Shi Er Rou Fa (12 Fluidities)
Fen Shen Shi Er Pan Zhou (12 Elbows)
Quan Zhong Ba Buan Zhou (8 Shorts)
Tanglang Shi San Men Jiao (13 Kicking techniques)

I. b

Tanglang Zhi Da Shi San Men (13 avenues of mantis strikes)
Xian Xing Shou Bian Hua Shi Ba Zhe (18 applications of Proactive Hands)
Bu Zhao Bu Jia Shi Er Lu Po Fa (12 ways of non blocking counters)
Ba Da (8 strikes)
Ba Bu Da (8 Forbidden Strikes)

II.

Tanglang Zhi Gong (Praying Mantis special training)

II. a

Shi Ba Luohan Qigong (18 Arhat Exercises)
San Hui Jiu Zhuan Huan Yang Fa (3 Returns 9 Rotations Rendering Yang method)

* This Chart is based on Shifu Li Deng Wu's teaching originally from Shandong and then Taiwan. His student Shifu Yang Fengshi from Taiwan edited this for the Mimen Lanjie book (p. 13)

The English translation is by me.

This structure while it is distinct and specific to Tanglangquan, there are elements that are universal to traditional Kung Fu. Also there is a spiritual aspect involved that is unique to Kung Fu. Modern Wushu is devoid of that particular aspect; therefore, it is severed from the root of Chinese culture, which is where the intricacy and value of the training comes in. At best Modern Wushu is a sport no more no less.

Now I think this is clear enough that Wushu imitation of Tanglangquan hardly has an of these areas of training. What they do is to use Wushu basic training (ie warm up with stretching and kicking) then go into the competition Tanglang Taolu routine, which by the way is only to mimic the movements not to exercise the true intent of Tanglangquan. I believe Shifu Brendan Tunks has already outlined other details so I am not going to babbling on.

In Kung Fu being a good fighter is important, but being a better person is even more important. Don't let a dishonest venture turns you into a charlatan.

Mantis108