Traditional Taiwan Martial Arts Documentary

[gosao]

Found a short documentary on Traditional Martial Arts in Taiwan. Some fukien white crane, chin na, and shaolin performed in karate gi and some interesting old geezers.

part 1


part 2

[C.J.Wang]

The "old geezer" in clip two is Tong Jin-Long (Gold Dragon), as mentioned in Robert W. Smith's Masters and Methods. He's done a variety of CMA styles and had actually lived in Japan where he claimed to have learned Jujitsu/Aiki Jujitsu. Some of the throws and locks that are taught in his lineage do carry Japanese flavor.

[Overlord]

I heard a friend who used to serve Taiwanese military saying: Master Tong is legendary.

Over

[C.J.Wang]

Among the styles that Tong knew and taught, his Vibrating Crane boxing is most well-known among Taiwanese boxers.

There's a story about two Okinawan/Japanese Karate Masters, whose names I choose not to mention, that had come to Taiwan to challenge Tong. They went toTong's school with an entourage of Karate practitioners, and greeted Tong by breaking bricks in the air. The ensuing challenge matches turned out to be a humbling experience for both as they couldn't even lay a hand on Tong. Apparently, they were so humilated and upset that one even contemplated suicide at the hotel on that very night. The police were brought in and Tong had to intervene in order to ease the situation. (Now this master, who is a well-known historian on Okinawan Karate, always public claims southern CMA is the mother of the art he practices openly and with respect.)

The clip was filmed in 1993, just two years before his passing at the age of 84. Judging by how well he moves at 82, it's easy to imagine what an ass-kicking dude he was in his prime.

[taiwandeutscher]

I know the first Taizu guy in the 1st vid, Master Wu. Really effective fighting style, but brutal in many aspects and not always life nourishing, lol.

[Michael Dasargo]

Always nice to see some old timers gettin down. Thanks for the vids.

[Wanderingdragon]

Not just old but still leaving the youngsters in awe

[Andy_S]

Loved the second clip, esp the Golden Dragon, who, IIRC, had unsavory connections early in his career.

BTW, the last one was surely not...Liao Wu-chang? Would like to have seen some more of that if available.

[Strange]

morale of the story is never fuck with old geezers in taiwan
good to see master tong still has got the moves.

[Andy_S]

SNIP
good to see master tong still has got the moves.
SNIP

...in the netherworld. According to CJ Wang, above, he is brown bread.