Steel Tiger
Senior Master
The oldest recognised Chinese fighting technique is Jiao di "horn butting" which is supposed to have been developed by Huangdi in 2697BC. Given that Huangdi is a legendary figure we might be able to discount this one.
The art called Shoubo was apparently practiced during the Shang dynasty (1766 - 1066BC). What it was like no one is quite sure but learned speculation suggests it may have been something like quanfa. It had a long life as it was a recognised art in the Han dynasty (206BC - AD220).
Jiao li was a grappling art of the Zhou dynasty (1122 - 256BC). It included striking, blocking, joint locking and pressure point attacks. It is also considered the oldest verifiable art practiced in China and may be the oldest systematic martial art in the world. Unfortunately, by the Qin dynasty (221 - 206BC) it had become a public sporting competition. Later in the Han dynasty there was a clear distinction drawn between Shoubo, a self defence method, and Jiao li, a sport.
During the 7th century BC (Zhou dynasty) another martial art arose called Xiang Bo. It was apparently quite simliar to Sanda.
A hard/soft hand-to-hand theory is expounded in the story of the Maiden of Yue in the Spring and Autumn Annals written in the 5th century BC.
The Zhuangzi, probably written in the 5th century BC, discusses philosophical practice and martial arts practice.
The Han Shu, or Book of Han or History of Han, includes six chapters on hand fighting. It is from the 1st century AD.
The oldest reference to Shaolin martial arts is from AD728. It refers to two incidents; the defence of the monastery against a bandit attack in AD610 and the participation by monks in the Battle of Hulao in AD621.
Bodhidharma probably arrived at the temple around AD527-528.
It is intriguing to see the development of systematic martial arts from the earliest times in China. I think there was a lot of material that became refined through places like Shaolin, Wudong, and Emei to give us the sought of Chinese arts we see today.
The art called Shoubo was apparently practiced during the Shang dynasty (1766 - 1066BC). What it was like no one is quite sure but learned speculation suggests it may have been something like quanfa. It had a long life as it was a recognised art in the Han dynasty (206BC - AD220).
Jiao li was a grappling art of the Zhou dynasty (1122 - 256BC). It included striking, blocking, joint locking and pressure point attacks. It is also considered the oldest verifiable art practiced in China and may be the oldest systematic martial art in the world. Unfortunately, by the Qin dynasty (221 - 206BC) it had become a public sporting competition. Later in the Han dynasty there was a clear distinction drawn between Shoubo, a self defence method, and Jiao li, a sport.
During the 7th century BC (Zhou dynasty) another martial art arose called Xiang Bo. It was apparently quite simliar to Sanda.
A hard/soft hand-to-hand theory is expounded in the story of the Maiden of Yue in the Spring and Autumn Annals written in the 5th century BC.
The Zhuangzi, probably written in the 5th century BC, discusses philosophical practice and martial arts practice.
The Han Shu, or Book of Han or History of Han, includes six chapters on hand fighting. It is from the 1st century AD.
The oldest reference to Shaolin martial arts is from AD728. It refers to two incidents; the defence of the monastery against a bandit attack in AD610 and the participation by monks in the Battle of Hulao in AD621.
Bodhidharma probably arrived at the temple around AD527-528.
It is intriguing to see the development of systematic martial arts from the earliest times in China. I think there was a lot of material that became refined through places like Shaolin, Wudong, and Emei to give us the sought of Chinese arts we see today.