Chin Woo Athletic Association
Encyclopedia
Chin Woo Athletic Association is a Chinese martial arts
association founded in Shanghai on July 7, 1910, but other sources also cite dates in 1909. It can be found spelled in many ways - Jing Mo, Ching Wu, Jing Wo, Jing Wu etc.
Many sources say that Chin Woo was founded by Huo Yuanjia
(霍元甲), the famed challenge fighter who died within months of its establishment. This gives the false impression that only one person founded the entire association when in reality it was founded by a committee of people. Due to Huo Yuanjia's popularity and recent death, the committee had decided that he should be the "face" of Chin Woo, resulting in his strong association with it.
Because Huo was widely admired as a Chinese national hero, a series of other masters agreed to teach at the school including Eagle Claw
(鷹爪派) master Chen Zizheng (陳子正), Seven Star Praying Mantis (七星螳螂拳) master Luo Guangyu (羅光玉), Xingyi
(形意拳) master Geng Ji Shan (耿繼善), and Wu Jianquan (吳鑑泉), the founder of Wu style Taijiquan (吳式太極拳). Master Chao Lianhe/Zhao Lianhe (趙連和), a master of Northern Shaolin Bizong Style became the Chief Instructor after the sudden death of Huo.
One of the first public martial arts institutes in China, Chin Woo was intended to create a structured environment for teaching and learning martial arts as opposed to the secretive training that had been common in the past. The Chin Woo was also used as a training center for the Nationalist Party members to fight against the rise of Communism in China.
The founders of Chin Woo felt that the association would keep alive traditions that secrecy and social change would otherwise doom. The basic curriculum drew from several styles of martial arts, giving practitioners a well-rounded martial background in addition to whatever they wished to specialize in. The Chin Woo Association inspired the ecumenism seen in the Chinese martial arts community during the Republic of China
giving rise to such efforts as the National Martial Arts Institutes. Sun Yat Sen (孫逸仙), founder of the Republic of China, attended the third annual event held by Chin Woo in 1915, giving a speech of encouragement to the attendees. When Sun Yat Sen attended again at the 10th annual event in 1920, he also wrote for a special Chin Woo newsletter and made a plaque with the engraving "martial spirit".
Shut down by the government of the People's Republic of China in 1966, the Chin Woo Association was allowed to re-open after the Cultural Revolution
, and currently has more than 150 branches around the world.
Styles taught varied from school to school, depending on the local Masters: for example, Northern Mantis, Northern Shaolin Lo Han, Eagle Claw, Bizong, Mizongyi, etc. The standard curriculum, however, was universally taught in all Chin Woo Associations.
Jingwu Athletic Association - 100 Years by Robert Yandle (ISBN 978-189251535-3)
Chinese martial arts
Chinese martial arts, also referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as kung fu , are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" , "sects" or...
association founded in Shanghai on July 7, 1910, but other sources also cite dates in 1909. It can be found spelled in many ways - Jing Mo, Ching Wu, Jing Wo, Jing Wu etc.
Many sources say that Chin Woo was founded by Huo Yuanjia
Huo Yuanjia
Huo Yuanjia was a Chinese martial artist and co-founder of Chin Woo Athletic Association, a martial arts school in Shanghai...
(霍元甲), the famed challenge fighter who died within months of its establishment. This gives the false impression that only one person founded the entire association when in reality it was founded by a committee of people. Due to Huo Yuanjia's popularity and recent death, the committee had decided that he should be the "face" of Chin Woo, resulting in his strong association with it.
Because Huo was widely admired as a Chinese national hero, a series of other masters agreed to teach at the school including Eagle Claw
Eagle Claw
Eagle Claw is a style of Chinese martial arts known for its gripping techniques, system of joint locks, takedowns, and pressure point strikes, which is representative of Chinese grappling known as Chin Na. The style is normally attributed to the famous patriotic Song Dynasty General Yue Fei...
(鷹爪派) master Chen Zizheng (陳子正), Seven Star Praying Mantis (七星螳螂拳) master Luo Guangyu (羅光玉), Xingyi
Xingyi
Xingyi may refer to:*Xingyiquan, one of the major internal Chinese martial arts*Xingyi, Guizhou, county level city in Guizhou, China...
(形意拳) master Geng Ji Shan (耿繼善), and Wu Jianquan (吳鑑泉), the founder of Wu style Taijiquan (吳式太極拳). Master Chao Lianhe/Zhao Lianhe (趙連和), a master of Northern Shaolin Bizong Style became the Chief Instructor after the sudden death of Huo.
One of the first public martial arts institutes in China, Chin Woo was intended to create a structured environment for teaching and learning martial arts as opposed to the secretive training that had been common in the past. The Chin Woo was also used as a training center for the Nationalist Party members to fight against the rise of Communism in China.
The founders of Chin Woo felt that the association would keep alive traditions that secrecy and social change would otherwise doom. The basic curriculum drew from several styles of martial arts, giving practitioners a well-rounded martial background in addition to whatever they wished to specialize in. The Chin Woo Association inspired the ecumenism seen in the Chinese martial arts community during the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
giving rise to such efforts as the National Martial Arts Institutes. Sun Yat Sen (孫逸仙), founder of the Republic of China, attended the third annual event held by Chin Woo in 1915, giving a speech of encouragement to the attendees. When Sun Yat Sen attended again at the 10th annual event in 1920, he also wrote for a special Chin Woo newsletter and made a plaque with the engraving "martial spirit".
Shut down by the government of the People's Republic of China in 1966, the Chin Woo Association was allowed to re-open after the Cultural Revolution
Cultural Revolution
The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the Cultural Revolution , was a socio-political movement that took place in the People's Republic of China from 1966 through 1976...
, and currently has more than 150 branches around the world.
Curriculum
During the early days of Ching Wu (Jing Mo) in Shanghai, chief instructor, Zhao Lianhe developed a curriculum that became the standard Chin Woo sets (Fundamental Routines).- Shi Er Lu Tan Tui 十二路潭腿 (Twelve Rows of Spring Leg)
- Gong Li Quan 功力拳(Power Fist)
- Jie Quan 节拳 (Connecting Fist)
- Da Zhan Quan 大战拳 (上)(下)(Big Battle Fist - Upper & Lower)
- Qun Yang Gun 群羊棍 (Shepherd Staff)
- Ba Gua Dao 八卦刀 (Eight Diagram Broadsword)
- Wu Hu Qiang 五虎枪 (Five Tiger Spear)
- Jie Tan Tui 接潭腿 (Tan Tui Sparring)
- Tao Quan 套拳 (Set Fist)
- Dan Dao Chuan Qiang 单刀串枪 (Broadsword versus Spear)
Styles taught varied from school to school, depending on the local Masters: for example, Northern Mantis, Northern Shaolin Lo Han, Eagle Claw, Bizong, Mizongyi, etc. The standard curriculum, however, was universally taught in all Chin Woo Associations.
Chin Woo in popular culture
- Fist of FuryFist of FuryFist of Fury, formerly known as The Chinese Connection and The Iron Hand in the United States, is a 1972 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Lo Wei. It starred Bruce Lee in his second major film after The Big Boss...
, a 1972 film starring Bruce LeeBruce LeeBruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
. It tells an account of Chen Zhen, a fictional Chin Woo student, who continues to uphold the Chin Woo legacy and avenge Huo Yuanjia. - New Fist of FuryNew Fist of FuryNew Fist of Fury is a 1976 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Lo Wei and starring Jackie Chan. It is the first of several films that Lo directed Chan in, and the first using Chan's stage name Sing Lung...
, a 1976 sequel to Fist of Fury. Jackie ChanJackie ChanJackie Chan, SBS, MBE is a Hong Kong actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. In his movies, he is known for his acrobatic fighting style, comic timing, use of improvised weapons, and innovative stunts...
played Lung, a successor to Chen Zhen. - The Legendary FokThe Legendary FokThe Legendary Fok is a Hong Kong television series based on the life story of Chinese martial artist Huo Yuanjia . It includes a subplot based on the biography of Chen Zhen , a fictional student of Huo and protagonist of the 1972 film Fist of Fury...
, a 1981 television series based on Huo Yuanjia's story and featuring Chen Zhen's story as a subplot, starring Wong Yuen-sun and Bruce LeungLeung Siu-LungLeung Siu-lung, born in 1948 in Hong Kong, is an actor who has appeared in many Hong Kong martial arts movies. He often appeared billed as "Bruce Leung," "Bruce Liang," "Bruce Leong," or "Bruce Leung Siu-lung," and is thus generally grouped among the Bruce Lee clones that sprang up after Lee's...
. - The Fist, a 1982 sequel to The Legendary Fok, with Bruce Leung reprising his role as Chen Zhen.
- Legend of a FighterLegend of a FighterLegend of a Fighter is a 1982 Hong Kong martial arts film based on the story of Chinese martial artist Huo Yuanjia...
, a 1982 film based on Huo Yuanjia's story, starring Bryan Leung. - Fist of LegendFist of LegendFist of Legend is a 1994 Hong Kong martial arts action film directed by Gordon Chan and features action choreography by Yuen Woo-ping, and also produced by and starring Jet Li. It is a remake of the 1972 film Fist of Fury, which starred Bruce Lee as the lead character...
, a 1994 film starring Jet LiJet LiThe fame gained by his sports winnings led to a career as a martial arts film star, beginning in mainland China and then continuing into Hong Kong. Li acquired his screen name in 1982 in the Philippines when a publicity company thought his real name was too hard to pronounce...
. It is based on another version of Chen Zhen's story. - Fist of Fury (TV series), a 1995 television series starring Donnie YenDonnie YenDonnie Yen is a Hong Kong actor, martial artist, film director and producer, action choreographer, and world wushu tournament medalist...
as Chen Zhen. - The Legend of Huo YuanjiaHuo Yuanjia (2002 TV series)Huo Yuanjia is a 2002 Chinese television series based on the life story of Chinese martial artist Huo Yuanjia. It includes a subplot based on the biography of Chen Zhen, a fictional student of Huo Yuanjia and protagonist of the 1972 film Fist of Fury. The series was directed by Jia Yun and starred...
, a 2002 television series adapted from The Legendary Fok, starring Vincent ZhaoVincent ZhaoVincent Zhao Wenzhuo , sometimes credited as Chiu Man-cheuk, is a Chinese actor and martial artist. Zhao is best known playing the role of Chinese folk hero Wong Fei-hung in the Once Upon a Time in China film and television series.-Early life:Zhao was born in Harbin, Heilongjiang, China, as the...
and Wu Yue. - Jingwu Yingxiong Chen ZhenJingwu Yingxiong Chen ZhenJingwu Yingxiong Chen Zhen is a Chinese television series based on the story of Chen Zhen, a fictional martial arts student of Huo Yuanjia...
, a sequel to The Legend of Huo Yuanjia, with Wu Yue reprising his role as Chen Zhen. - FearlessFearless (2006 film)Fearless, known in Chinese as Huo Yuanjia and Jet Li's Fearless in the United Kingdom and the United States, is a 2006 film directed by Ronny Yu and starring Jet Li...
, a 2006 film centered on the life story of Huo Yuanjia, starring Jet Li. - Huo YuanjiaHuo Yuanjia (2008 TV series)Huo Yuanjia is a television series based on the story of Chinese martial artist Huo Yuanjia. It includes a subplot on the story of Chen Zhen, a fictional student of Huo Yuanjia and protagonist of the 1972 film Fist of Fury. The series was directed by Kuk Kwok-leung and starred Ekin Cheng, Jordan...
, a 2008 remake of The Legendary Fok, starring Ekin ChengEkin ChengEkin Cheng is a Hong Kong actor and Cantopop singer. Early in his career he used the name Dior as a first name. He has also been referred to as Noodle Cheng, after a popular noodle product with a similar name...
and Jordan ChanJordan ChanJordan Chan Siu-Chun is a Chinese actor and musician from Hong Kong.Chan got his start by enrolling in the TVB Dancers' Training Class in 1985. Soon after graduation, he joined a few of the studio's troupes that would accompany popular singers during their live performances...
. - Jingwu Chen ZhenJingwu Chen ZhenJingwu Chen Zhen is a television series based on the story of Chen Zhen, a fictional martial arts student of Huo Yuanjia. The series is a sequel to the 2008 television series Huo Yuanjia, with Jordan Chan reprising his role as Chen Zhen.-Plot:...
, a sequel to Huo Yuanjia, with Jordan Chan reprising his role as Chen Zhen. - Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen ZhenLegend of the Fist: The Return of Chen ZhenLegend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen is a 2010 Hong Kong martial arts film directed by Andrew Lau. The film is a continuation of the 1994 film Fist of Legend starring Jet Li, with Donnie Yen as Chen Zhen, a role made famous by Bruce Lee in the 1972 film Fist of Fury...
, a 2010 film that tells the story of Chen Zhen after he avenges Huo Yuanjia. Donnie Yen reprises his role as Chen Zhen, whom he previously portrayed in the 1995 television series Fist of Fury.
Footnotes
Jingwu Athletic Association - 100 Years by Robert Yandle (ISBN 978-189251535-3)
External links
- World Chin Woo Federation
- Locations of Jing Wu Sports Federations all over the world with contact details
- Western Australia Chin Woo Athletic Association
- Chin Woo Athletic Association of New Zealand
- Chin Woo Italia
- Shanghai Chin Woo Athletic Association
- Chin Woo History
- German Chin Woo Athletic Association
- Jingmo.org
- Italian Chin Woo Athletic Association
- Romanian Chin Woo Athletic Association