PART ONE : TERMINOLOGY
This article is really to try and help address the terminologies of what Chinese Martial Arts. For many of our readers this knowledge might be futile, but for our guests new to the Chinese Martial Arts we hope that it is of value. Firstly we use the english term "Traditional Chinese Martial Arts" throughout this site and may interchange with some of the terms below at times.
Wushu
In Chinese mandarin, there are the terms such as Wushu (literally "Martial Art", but would best mean "Study of Military Arts") which really refers to martial arts. However due to a change in focus from the 1950's onwards by more performance based approach, the term has the following adjustments: Xin Wushu (New Wushu, or Modern Wushu), which is often just Wushu. We like to call it Performance Wushu. Chuantong Wushu (Tradtional Wushu, meaning that it has passed usually from master to student). Minjian Wushu (Min = People, Jian = Space or time in this sense, then Minjian means the People's time Wushu, which refers to the period after the Qing dyansty and before 1949). Basically means Traditional Wushu. In this sense Chuantong Wushu and Minjian Wushu refer to the same thing "Traditional Chinese Martial Arts", the term Xin Wushu or as usually applied Wushu, often refers to "Modern Performance Chinese Martial Arts". If refer to all of them irrespective, then the term Wushu applies.
Kung Fu
The term Kung Fu or Gong Fu in mandarin means in essence Hard work, effort and time. Thus, this term does not necessarily refer to martial arts but could mean a musician has great Gong Fu, a Chef with great skill has good Kung Fu, an athlete or sportsman could have great Gong Fu. Thus although this has been popularised around the world and nowadays can be used, its meaning is not so clear in reference to martial arts. Additionally in the south, say Hong Kong or Guangdong areas, Gong Fu may have a higher rate of use. In cantonese "Wushu" is pronounced "Mo Sert". Other Terms
Some other terms that could be applied and have been in the past include: Wu Gong - Which means martial skill or capability, this is not as common as wushu but does have applications.
Guo Shu - National Art, essentially in the early 1900's this term was applied in reference to Chinese Martial Arts. Nowadays it is used less and less but you still may see it.
Teachers and Instructors
The terminology is also confusing but let's begin with the most common.Shi Fu (or Si Fu in Cantonese pronounciation), means Teacher Father - thus this term is used for more than just a casual teaching experience. The relationship between a teacher and student is not like a class room one but more like a parental or guardian, mentor type approach. It should be noted that the Shi Fu does not just apply to martial arts, again like Gong Fu and job, task or learning that requires heightened dedication from both student and teacher could apply the term. Like a Master Chef could be a Shi Fu, a musician could be Shi Fu, even a taxi driver could be a Shi Fu. But what is important is that the person applying the term e.g. the student calling their teacher when they have such a relationship should use it accordingly.
For those in the Japanese world of things, Sensei which its equivalent term in chinese is Xian Sheng (Mister) nowadays, in the past in Chinese it may have meant more but nowadays it just means Mister. Now the equivalent for Teacher should be "Lao Shi" (literally Old Teacher, never mind the old it is just terms of endearment no need to be so old). Another term that is often found nowadays especially in Modern Wushu is the use of "Jiao Lian" (literally teach practice - akin to Coach).
Lastly, the term Master actually has a Chinese equivalent of "Da Shi" (Great Teacher), but in martial arts to differentiate the term "Shi Fu" from "Lao Shi" or "Jiao Lian", the use of Master is used in english with meaning of "Shi Fu". Finally the use of "Shi Gong" can mean your teachers teacher (Grandmaster), but can also mean Great Grandmaster, great great grandmaster etc.because the use of "Shi Gong Gong" (Great Grandmaster literally) is not commonly applied. Another way of addressing masters from the past is to refer to them as "Qian Bei" (Previous Life), if they are still alive as applied in the olden days the student would be "Wan Bei" (Later Life).
Students and Disciples
Now given that the student-teacher relationship is so different, then there is also difference for "student: terms. A normal everyday student, or all those in the beginning typically would be called "Xue Sheng" (Study person literally, i.e. Student). After some time and depending on the schools traditions they could become a "Tu Di" ( A disciple).
But either way, being a Tu Di (Disciple) is different to a Xue Sheng (Student). Often in a Shi Fu - Tu Di relationship there is mutual confidence and dedication, the teacher is dedicated to teaching all that they know to the disciple and the disciple offers to dedicate themself to the study. Often there is some form of care and maintenance required from the disciple to student, although this sometimes goes the other way ironically. In chinese sometimes "Ru Men" (enter the door) is applied when becoming a Tu Di. Essentially it means that now the student is formally a part or member of the clan or systems family.
Further since there is no ranking in traditional chinese martial arts, there is a system which follows the family model where you have senior brothers "Shi Xiong" (Elder Brother) and juniors "Shi Di" (Younger Brother) whilst the collective is called "Xiong Di Men" (Brothers "or Sisters"). The female equivalent would be "Shi Jie" (Elder Sister) and "Shi Mei" (Younger Sister). Sometimes the use of "Da Shi Xiong" (Big Elder Brother) could apply which refers to whole group elders, usually very senior and a disciple of the teacher. These are not based on the age of the individuals but rather on the age with the teacher or school.
Ceremonies
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Famous comedian Zhao Benshan accepts 7 disciples at recent "Bai Shi" ceremony |
In many traditions there are ceremonies held and these vary from restaurant type gatherings common in South where often other teachers of the same school, art or system and others are invited. Or these could be simpler ones where it is done in a hall with elders. In most cases some form of respect to the ancestors and elders is also common and ceremonial style includes tea offering and other things (offerings/funds) depending on the school or teachers requirements. Such a ceremony is called a "Bai Shi" (Bow to the Teacher). Nowadays like many things these go like hotcakes, as the process has been commoditized or commercialized (unfortunate as it is quite a nice traditional/cultural aspects to martial arts). In many cases, no such ceremony exists, it really depends on the tradition and teacher. In fact it has gone in strides as some who used to stopped the ceremonies whilst others have since picked up. Often if it is without ceremony it can be highlighted when a Master/Shi Fu starts referring to the particular student as Tu Di when discussing with other masters, so there as kind of ongoing acknowledgement. Again, please note that this can apply in a non martial art setting as well.
Training Terminology
Most of the terms you will learn through the process of training but these are just general ones: Forms, Routines, Sets, etc... which are equivalent to the japanese Kata term. In Chinese have many types depending where the set is from so.
Tao Lu - Routine, extremely common in Modern Wushu, and also for Traditional Wushu of the Northern areas. Quan Tao - Fist Routine, used in different arts throughout.
Quan - Fist, does not necessarily mean just a fist but could mean a form/routine, or even a style. Tang or Tangzi - also common in the North, meaning "Sequence". This can sometimes be a whole form/routine on its own or a section or part of a larger routine.
Sometimes the terms "Lian Tou" - Practice Head funnily enough, can mean practice forms/routines and in the North as an e.g. "Ti Tangzi" - Kicking Sequences can mean practice forms/routines (this is used in Chuojiao). So there are many ways of saying the same thing (sorta) depending on the style, school, region and time of the day.
Ok, so that is all for now....we will see how it goes and might look into part two later.
For enquiries or clarifications (that we can do in part 2) let us know. Write to us at: Taiping@satirio.com
