Master of Kinh shares martial art with world
(29-06-2008)
by Khieu Thanh Ha
If you’ve never heard of Kinh, Viet Nam’s premier martial art, don’t despair: A Vietnamese master from Hue is on a mission to educate the world.
Thanks to master Truong Quang Kim, the martial art is gradually becoming known not only in its home town of Hue City, but also in France, the United States, Australia, and beyond. Nevertheless, he knows he’ll walk a long road before transforming his dreams to reality.
According to him, Kinh means citadel and was a unique martial arts used by soldiers in the imperial city during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). It was created by commander Nguyen Huu Canh under King Gia Long’s illustrious reign.
Kinh is one of the last two remaining traditional martial arts of Viet Nam besides Binh Dinh, and upon the collapse of feudalism, was disseminated to the masses.
The martial art has been in Kim’s family for about 200 years and Kim, the fifth generation and sole inheritor of Kinh martial arts, received orthodox training from his father, master Truong Thang.
Spreading the art of Kinh
Kim’s plan to popularise the art was kicked off when he began to observe foreign martial arts. Realising they were not superior to Viet Nam’s, he began to circulate the world. Kim trained himself, while saving and borrowing money, then travelled half the globe to promote Viet Nam’s Kinh martial art.
In 2000, Kim was invited to attend an international traditional martial arts festival in Paris. The first thing he saw at the competition house in Paris were boards which read: Karate, Taekwondo, and Shaolin. Though lifeless, they nevertheless stirred strange feelings in master Kim.
"Vietnamese martial arts easily equal these, so why are they not as wide-spread?" he wondered.
"Chinese martial arts are taught in Paris and the same can be done with Kinh," Kim thought, the boards still on his mind.
The local government was willing to help Kim open a Kinh martial art class but he didn’t have enough money. Determined to open a dojo in France at any cost, he sold every asset he owned and borrowed money from every source to open the first ever Vietnamese martial arts club outside Viet Nam, in Lyon several months later.
To the 54-year-old, who is the master of the Kinh martial arts centre in Hue, it was very important to show the world the essence of Vietnamese fighting arts.
His centre in Hue is famous not only among locals, but with foreigners; many have come, admired and trained with master Kim.
"Unlike most other traditional martial arts, Kinh does not employ consecutive, lethal striking techniques. It was developed mainly for self defence," said Arie Pieter van Dujin, a martial artist who has been studying under Kim for several years.
Dujin is one of about 20 foreigners training at Kim’s centre. They will be important in helping promote the art upon their returns to their home countries.
Most Kinh art centres around the world have been established in this manner, and Kim journeys to these centres twice a year, re-united with friends, training with the students, and updating them on skills and techniques as they advance.
The martial art is now practised in ten countries including the United States, Australia, and Italy, and according to Kim, Norway is the next destination. Everywhere a club is opened, Kinh martial art is warmly welcomed by locals, which Kim says, gives him the energy to realise his dream.
The Hue’s master’s training regime is very hard which means students must be in good physical shape, have patience, and love it. Their training allows them respiratory and cardio-vascular work-outs, as they improve their fighting skills including proficiency of 18 different kinds of weapons.
More Kinh
Kim doesn’t plan to stop. "Many countries in South America and Africa don’t know about Vietnamese martial arts," he said, adding, "It’s a good way to disseminate our culture to the world. Kinh is taught in Vietnamese and anyone who wants to learn it will come to understand Vietnamese language, customs, habits and history," he went on to say.
Kim is also focusing on spreading Kinh within Viet Nam’s borders. "The martial art is well known in central areas but many in the North and South don’t have access to it," Kim said, adding, "I hope that in the near future I can open more centres so Vietnamese people across the country will understand, and be proud of their home-grown art-form."
"I have signed contracts with different travel agencies who will add my centres as a destination in their tours," said Kim, "so after visiting Hue’s other attractions, tourists come and admire our performances."
The shows always receives excellent feedback from visitors, and Kim and his disciples were invited to perform at the 2008 Hue Festival which recently ended mid-June.
A doctor and a father
Kim, a renowned martial arts instructor recognised by the International Martial Arts Association, is also known as a doctor of oriental medicine, and runs a private health centre for local patients.
Every disciple who studies Kinh is also asked to study oriental medicine, so as to be able to treat any injuries sustained in training or combat.
At Kim’s private practice, patients receive advice, check-ups, and prescriptions, all kept at a low cost as Kim runs it as a non-profit.
Kim is also seen as a father-figure by 20 street children to whom he gives free Kinh classes at the An Tay Orphanage in Hue.
"These underprivileged children have suffered such misery, the least I can do is give them hope in their lives," Kim said. — VNS