Shaolin Kung Fu

Art

少林功夫("Shaolin Temple Martial Art")

Overview

One of the oldest and most influential martial arts in history, originating from the Shaolin Temple. Encompasses hundreds of forms, weapons, and techniques. Parent system to many Chinese and Asian martial arts.

Country of Origin

China (Henan Province)

Founded

— 5th-6th century era

Practitioners

10,000,000+

Also known as

Shaolin QuanShaolin WushuShaolin Boxing

Combat Effectiveness

Overall Combat Rating

6/10

History & Origin

Founder

Bodhidharma (legendary attribution)

Lineage & Key Figures

Lineage

Structure & Training

Signature Techniques

Iron palmFive animals formStaff formFlying kick

Core Technique Classes

Five animals (tiger, crane, leopard, snake, dragon)18 Luohan handsIron shirt72 artsStaff fighting

Sub-Types

northern kung fuexternal kung futemple martial art

Competition

Medical & Safety

Danger Rating

moderate/10

Sources & References

[1] Shahar, Meir. The Shaolin Monastery: History, Religion, and the Chinese Martial Arts. University of Hawaii Press, 2008. — link

[2] Wong, Kiew Kit. The Art of Shaolin Kung Fu. Vermillion, 1996.

[3] Shi De Yang / various Shaolin monks. The Martial Arts of Shaolin (series). (2003). ISBN: Various

[4] Jin Jing Zhong (trans. Andrew Timofeevich). Training Methods of 72 Arts of Shaolin. (1934). ISBN: 978-1847998378

Primary Source

Meir Shahar. The Shaolin Monastery: History, Religion, and the Chinese Martial Arts. (2008). ISBN: 978-0824833497.

Geography & Status

Status

Competitive SportActive

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