Story Of Ch'ang Tung Sheng (chang2 Dong1 Shen1)常公東昇大師
Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 5:14 am紅葉 - Red Leaves _ Xingyiquan - Baguazhang - Taijiquan _ Story Of Ch'ang Tung Sheng (chang2 Dong1 Shen1)
Posted by: iwalkthecircle Nov 8 2007, 11:03 PM
http://mastermatt.com/about/sheng.html</a>
he oldest form of Kung Fu, Shuai Chiao can be traced back to Huan Ti, the "Yellow Emperor"(2700 BC). Shuai Chiao means "competing to throw", so Shuai Chiao is often called Chinese Wrestling, which could be misleading, since leg work(low kicking, leg tangling, and tripping), arm locks, and a variety of hand strikes are all part of this devastaing system.
Grandmaster Ch'ang Tung Sheng
Grandmaster Chang Tung Sheng
The father of modern day Shuai Chiao was Grandmaster Ch'ang Tung Sheng who died in 1986. Grandmaster Ch'ang Tung Sheng was born in 1908, the year of the Monkey, in Hopei Province in the northeastern section of China -a province long known for the great martial artists produced there. Of all the Masters coming from this region over the past 2,000 years, one of the most pre-eminent is the legendary Grandmaster Ch'ang Tung Sheng, perhaps the greatest fighter in the last 300 years irrespective of style and certainly the most tested and proven one in this century. Grandmaster Ch'ang started serious training in Kung-Fu in 1915 when he was seven years old. He learned the basics from his father & grandfather, but later his teacher was the famous Master Chang Feng-Yen who was well known as the foremost expert in Pao-Ting Shuai Chiao, the fastest and most powerful of the 3 main branches of this ancient art. Chang Feng-Yen was the top disciple of Ping Jing-Yee, who like Grandmaster Ch'ang, was a legend in his own time. General Ma, the first of the great Masters to compile ancient Shuai Chiao techniques for publication, was another prestigious student of Ping Jing-Yee.
Grandmaster Ch'ang has often stated that Master Chang Feng-Yen was the best teacher in that time regardless of style, and, as a result, many of the most promising young students wished to study with him. Of many who came before Master Feng-Yen to exhibit their basic skills, very few were chosen. Grandmaster Ch'ang was not only one of those few, but by the time he was eventeen he was already declared a Master himself, had attained proficiency unmatched by any of his peers, was the favorite pupil of Master Feng-Yen, and had married his Master's second daughter. When Grandmaster Ch'ang was about 20 years old, he left Hopei Province and went to Nanking to study at the Central Kuo Shu School, the best in all China, in order to learn all the major styles of Kung-Fu. Since the best instructors and students from every major style were represented there,admission was an honor and exposed the practitioner to the widest possible cross-section of Chinese Martial Arts knowledge that could be found anywhere- in a phrase, if it wasn't practiced there, it probably wasn't worth much. Once again, Grandmaster Ch'ang's capabilities were such that after five years of training with the best students in all of China, he emerged at the head of the program and became the teacher of the Shuai-Chiao department, having also mastered the styles of Shing Yi, Lo Han, Tai Chi, Pa Kua, and most elements of Shaolin in addition to his own!
At one point he went to challenge the Mongolian champion at their annual meet in Chang-Chia-Kuo, and in so doing had to fight the well known Kuhli, a giant of a man standing well over six feet tall and weighing almost 400 lbs.! Grandmaster Ch'ang agreed to use only wrestling techniques, and, despite the difference in size, repeatedly countered dozens of attacks by the Mongolian champion while throwing him down again and again with a variety of beautifully executed moves.
In 1933, at the age of 25, Grandmaster Ch'ang entered the Fifth National Kuo Shu Elimination Tournament in Nanking. This "no holds barred" competition involved over 1,000 participants and included Masters in all major styles from all over China battling each other for supremecy in all-out combat. Grandmaster Ch'ang won all of his matches, including one over his arch rival Liu Chiou-Sheng, and emerged the heavyweight grandchampion. Significantly, this was the last great tournament of its kind where Masters who were trained in the old ways fought in an "anything goes" manner to determine the very best among them. This national meet was considered to be the severest test of the ability, strength, and skills of any fighter and the winner was fully acknowledged to be the undisputed Champion of all China. Such open, free style, "no holds barred" tournaments on that scale were never held again, leaving Grandmaster Ch'ang the last truly tested fighter open to challenge by anyone regardless of style or system!
Both before and after his brilliant victory in the National tournament, Grandmaster Ch'ang traveled frequently with the intent of seeking out different teachers all over mainland China that were known to him to be famous for certain techniques or movements. It has been said that he studied with most of the best living Masters, humbly playing the role of "student" even though he could defeat them. He continued this quest until he had learned the specialties of some 70 different teachers and was satisfied that the techniques he knew were the best in existence.
During World War II, Grandmaster Ch'ang trained elite units of the military where he eventually rose to the rank of Lt. General. His exploits during this time are a story in themselves and would take a book to recount. Just one aspect of his many experiences involved challenging all of the top Judo experts at the Kuang-Si Province prison camp. Over a thousand prisoners were interned there and amused themselves by practicing Judo all day long. After challenging and beating their Chinese guards, they were confronted by Grandmaster Ch'ang who had heard of their prowess while teaching in Kue-Lin, the capital of Kuang-Si Province. Grandmaster Ch'ang fought every one in turn, including three high ranking champions, Hakayama Taido, Hisa Kuma, and Michi Masao, and defeated each of them handily.
In 1948, the National Athletic Meet was held in Shanghai. Unlike the tournaments before the war when hundreds of great Masters were still living(many died in the war), the meets following the conflict were not open, free-style, "anything goes" in organization. In conjunction with this major change, Shuai Chiao was now an independent contest and using other styles of Kung-Fu as the Grandmaster had done formerly were not allowed. Even so, the scope of the contest was large, with participants coming from 32 provinces, 12 special municipal cities, nine overseas Chinese teams, and 58 Military police units! Grandmaster Ch'ang, now 40 years old, represented the Army and easily won the overall championship proving he was still number one even after 15 years had passed!
Having won two national tournaments and proven himself countless times in hundreds of matches, both friendly and otherwise, Grandmaster Ch'ang went on to teach at the Central Police Academy in Taipai for nearly 30 years. During that time he was also Chief Official for all of the national tournaments on Taiwan and Shuai Chiao advisor for the military, the police, and the educational system. Though many Kung-Fu styles are taught in Taiwan, none have the prestige of Shuai Chiao, where the Taiwan Shuai Chiao Association boasts over 38,000 members-- making it one of the largest Kung-Fu organizations in the world!
In April, 1975, Grandmaster Ch'ang, then 68 years old was invited to Morocco to give an exhibition of the Chinese arts to the King(Grandmaster Ch'ang's faith was Islamic). During his visit, a 4th degree Tae Kwon Do instructor in service to the King as head of his personal bodyguards challenged Ch'ang and was accepted. The "match" lasted only seconds as Grandmaster Ch'ang deftly dodged the attack of the Korean and knocked him unconscious with a slap of the hand! Obviously, the years had not diminished the physical power and skills acquired by being trained by Masters from the previous century, the likes of which now exist only in a small handful of very old men.
In February 1982, the Grandmaster organized the International Shuai Chiao Association and spent much of the time since promotiing his art by traveling throughout the world giving demonstrations, workshops, and seminars. In June 1986, at the age of 78, the martial arts world was saddened by his untimely death.
The extent to which Grandmaster Ch'ang was respected, revered, and feared by the Chinese martial arts community is incalculable. He was regarded as a literal "national treasure" by Taiwan and was the only Master to be granted the red, white, and blue belt, the national colors of Taiwan, which was buried with him and will never be awarded again. Since the knowledge and the caliber of men needed to train someone as Grandmaster Ch'ang was trained no longer even exist, the 10th degree in Shuai Chiao was retired upon his death never to be awarded again. Some say that as much as 60% of all Kung-Fu knowledge that existed in the earlier years of this century went to the grave with him!
In perhaps all of Chinese Martial Arts history, no one ever went totally undefeated for well over half a century- certainly not if they accepted any and all challenges as Grandmaster Ch'ang did! Indeed, he was not only just one of a kind, but, unfortunately for all of us, Grandmaster Ch'ang was one the likes of which will never be seen again. Amid all of the competing and conflicting claims made by latter-day teachers as to whose style or system is superior, no one except the disciples of Grandmaster Ch'ang can state that their teacher defeated the teachers from all other styles at a time in history when the deciding factor in victory was who walked away!
Master Mollica on being thrown by
Grandmaster Ch'ang Tung Sheng:
"Attacking Ch'ang Tung Sheng was like sticking your hand in a blender...
He hit you, locked you, and threw you to the ground with one whirling motion!"
-Matt Mollica, 5th Teng
Posted by: iwalkthecircle Nov 8 2007, 11:05 PM
常公東昇大師，河北保定府東城根將軍廟街人，為世襲虔誠之穆斯林，其先祖是來自新疆境外之維吾爾回族。
先祖父與其岳父（亦即其師父）張大師鳳岩及其外叔公（亦即其師祖）平大師敬一，因同為穆斯林的身份，故比鄰而居，當時保定城東為回民區，因此摔跤由回民之中蓬勃發展。
先祖父有兄弟五人，除幼弟之外，皆在摔跤及武術上有傑出表現，當地人稱『常門四虎』。其父親常蘭亭君，早年受學於平大師敬一，與張大師鳳岩同為教親亦為街坊，更是師兄弟，感情深厚，其後更結為親家。先祖父受其父親蘭亭君啟蒙最早，而受長兄常東如的影響最大。其長兄與先祖父年紀相差約有七、八歲，為得張大師鳳岩真傳之入門弟子，先祖父一生縱橫四海，從無敗績，素有『百勝將軍』之稱。唯獨對東如大哥敬佩感懷不已，因其大哥人聰穎、悟性高、伸手迅捷、招式巧妙，常自感弗如。可惜東如大哥因罹病，英年早逝，但過世前將其胞弟託付恩師，拜入張大師鳳岩門下。
先祖父因家學淵源，啟蒙甚早，長兄提攜，兄弟互相砥礪，又因地利之便與師父比鄰而居，朝夕相處，而同穆斯林，感情更無隔閡，因此，追隨張大師鳳岩十二、三載，盡得真傳，最後更將其掌上明珠（先祖母）張少芝女士許配予他（坊間誤傳入贅，絕無其事）。
張大師鳳岩晚年一直為盲腸及結石疼痛所苦，此為痼疾，時好時壞，又不願開腸破肚接受西醫治療，但見到先祖父摔跤技巧已爐火純青，盡收真昧，而愛女終身有託，心願已了，因此將本門『保定快跤』，自平大師敬一以降傳承的棒子交下來，並傾其畢生絕學，授業先祖父跤拳共八個套路、十三胎抱樁功調息法（一稱十三太保樁功）、摔跤總（歌）訣上下兩闕、摔跤八大勁（即摔法動作技術總合分類法）、九門奇械（『保定快跤』特殊器械練功法，如張大師最擅長的扎桿）、散手跤實戰用法（融合踢、打、拿、點，於過程之中，用摔法做最終結表現的型式）、『保定快跤』黑手【平大師敬一傳張大師鳳岩一百零六手，張大師鳳岩傳先祖父常東昇一百一十八手，常大師傳一百二十四手（黑手之意，為隱而未現，難於察覺，走奇峰，用巧招，直攻人性暗理處的弱點，用式講求精妙神絕，為古人摔跤無數先聖先賢的心血結晶，絕對不是心狠手辣，歹毒陰險，下毒手之意）】。
而最後則是將傳承自平大師敬一的少林拳法（特別是『羅漢拳』）授與先祖父。先祖父年輕時因其父親為平大師敬一之學生又為其外叔公，故曾習少林拳法，至此中就得其完整全貌（據徐哲東於一九二九年所編撰之國技論略一書中所稱，今世真得少林之傳者，據保陽馬良言：「河北南宮孟家橋，有孟六授保陽平敬一，敬一武藝冠絕一時」。而習武之人難免有筋骨皮內外傷等，張大師再將早年因行善而巧得之清廷大內朝奉秘傳之補益藥酒之藥方傳予先祖父，稱『金羅山崑』仙酒，叮囑有朝一日能濟世救人。
當年時值國民政府肇興，內憂外患動盪不安，日本帝國主義在東北、華北更是蠢蠢欲動，因此先祖父離開了家鄉，闖蕩大江南北，最後受馬良（子貞）將軍、張之江將軍之賞識，帶藝進入當時中國武學最高之學府『南京中央國術館』擔任學員兼摔跤教員。
綜觀先祖父由幼年啟蒙而致追隨張大師鳳岩習藝，最後進入『南京中央國術館』，凡二十餘載，雖蒙上天垂顧，機緣奇巧，誕生於武學世家，但其不畏艱難、不懼苦痛、不服輸、不退縮、探究根底、追求真理的精神才是成功之主因。
先祖父自進入『南京中央國術館』，先後參加並得到了全國武術國考第一名，及南京、上海兩次全國運動會摔跤冠軍，並投身軍旅，為對抗日本帝國主義而轉戰南北，這些部分史料多有記載，筆者在此不多做贅述。一九四○年代，先祖父隨部隊轉進台灣後，從此展開了四十年推展『保定快跤』的新頁。
先祖父來台後由軍職轉為警職，官拜中央警官學校（現稱中央警察大學）專任教官之職，教授摔跤課程。期間更在台灣各文武大學教授『保定快跤』，又因住家之便，也在台北市建國中學及植物園成立摔角社團，培育出不少好手。
先祖父一生淡泊，除領有微薄車馬費外，大部分都是義務性質，只希望能留下悠久的武學血脈。
筆者自幼與先祖父同住，七歲啟蒙後，至十二歲起，不論寒暑，每日清晨陪同先祖父至植物園，或練功、或散步、或背誦口訣心法、或憶及往事、思念家鄉、閒談奇聞異事或風俗典故。凡此種種永生不忘。筆者在多年以後，成立『台北縣摔角協會』，為追念先祖父，也在鄰近植物園、建國中學之南海學園成立訓練基地，傳授常門武學。
一九七○年代，先祖父因考量台灣境內體育運動及武術發展，在主客關因素接受西方文化影響牽制太大，尤有甚者，台灣受到日本文化薰染，柔道根深蒂固，故以逆向思考方式轉而向海外推展『常門』武藝。當時，李小龍式電影方興，海外一片中國功夫熱潮，反觀台灣境內派系分立，公文繁瑣，武學之推展牛步不前。但機緣巧合，反倒因此使『常門武學』、『保定快跤』提早介紹至海外，大大提升其深度與廣度。台灣境內幸而在多位師叔前輩如朱玉龍、林奉文、張光明、郭慎、蘇成、吳正民、郭憲衡等多方奔走努力之下，既海外『常門摔角組織』成立之後，相繼在台灣成立了各級的摔角委員會和協會，使中國『保定快跤』之發展，從此有了重心與著力點。
先祖父逝世至今凡一十五載，台灣境內之各級社團，皆一秉常大師生前訓示，將『保定快跤』—常門武藝推展開來，除不定期辦理各級教練、裁判講習之外，特別是當年由先祖父所開辦迄今之台灣省運動會摔角比賽項目從未停止。而筆者也秉持先祖父的遺訓，將『保定快跤』常門武學悠久優美的技藝介紹給世界所有愛好者，並多次遠赴中國大陸及歐洲各處舉辦上百場各式研討會、講習會、示範觀摩等活動，近年來更成立世界常門保定快跤之專屬網站http: //www.changshuaichiao.com，而為求慎重『常門摔跤』Changshuaichiao TM也已經在美國完成國際商標名稱專利登記。網站中，除了介紹台灣境內之各類摔角活動，並與世界各地不同武術派別，進行聯誼、接軌及結盟，也將陸續發表先祖父生前居家生活及公開場合的珍貴紀念照片，以享讀者。為了滿足世界各地廣大的武術愛好者，在網站內容之中，針對『常門武藝』進行三個月為一期的動作技術示範，內容圖文並茂，藉由網路傳輸，達到遠程教學之效果。以上種種，皆為實現先祖父之心願，透過各種直接、間接管道，使世人【認識並從而喜愛『常門武藝』—『保定快跤』，相信這是任何身為常門入室弟子都應盡的一份心力。唯美中不足的是，先祖父當年遠赴海外所創立的摔角組織，多年來因架構不健全，立場不明確，推展速度緩慢，其他相關團體也對其缺乏認同感，迄今已刻不容緩需重新整合，這是海內外所有常門一致的心願，也是為了持續完成先祖父弘揚摔跤於全世界的遺志，絕不可因個人的偏廢，而違反常大師當年苦心孤詣，遠赴海外推展的心意。
先祖父當年在台灣推展『保定快跤』，無論深度、廣度皆極可觀，可謂桃李滿天下。就筆者所知現存先祖父之學生當中，以八十四歲王老先生年紀最長，是當年先祖父在植物園最早的一批學生，迄今每星期六早晨，台北縣摔角協會在植物園練習時，王老先生還時常帶著自種的紅薯來關心筆者，當彼憶及當年先祖父之種種，常常感傷落淚，但也欣見境內摔角界代有年輕新血輪，『保定快跤』後繼可成。
今筆者特僅就本身所接觸最多，最深的數位師叔師伯略做介紹，並可從中一窺先祖父的身影。一般而言，筆者對於先祖父在台灣所收的弟子、學生為表尊重，皆稱為 某師叔、某叔叔，而僅只在社團、講習會中私淑者則概稱其職銜如某老師、某教官，對於先祖父在大陸所收的學生則稱為師伯。
先祖父在大陸南京五台山時，所收的學生有湛金濤、姚長明、楊忠孝、張俊等，這幾位長輩當年也追隨老師來到台灣，其他還有趙鼎鴻、吳必俊等，但以前面四位得先祖父之真傳。湛師伯金濤上把環肘、揣為其拿手動作，姚師伯長明動作老練、黏性十足，可主動伸出一腿讓對手抱牢，但最後還是以滾腿蹩反摔。楊師伯忠孝擅長下把、得合、撿腿，因身材適中勻稱、重心低、轉腰跪猛，下把少有人敵。張師伯俊身高腿長，善於用踢。其中張、楊兩位師伯皆是穆斯林，湛師伯金濤，於多年前過世，張師伯俊早失音訊，姚師伯長明與楊師伯忠孝則常常聯繫，至今已是七十多歲之長者了。
先祖父對學生必定視不同條件、資質，因材施教，絕不勉強，對於體裁身型特殊者也會代覓良師。如姚長明、楊忠孝兩位師伯，在南京時就曾分別受教於先祖父的三弟東坡、四弟東起。
先祖父來台後，用心耕耘最深的就是中央警官學校，近三十餘載時光，作育英才無數，其中朱師叔玉龍，於一九五七年考入警官學校，從此追隨先祖父，其時，筆者尚未出世，朱師叔是看著筆者長大的長輩。朱師叔與先祖父同為何北省人士，有同鄉之情誼，而朱師叔在校時，英俊挺拔，玉樹臨風；但外表雖俊秀，比賽起來卻如出閘猛虎，像拼命三郎一般，剽悍頑強，這點很受先祖父欣賞，其後朱師叔因表現優異而長年跟隨先祖父學習摔跤技藝，而後舉辦全國性摔角比賽，屢任要職，曾是最年輕的裁判員、審判委員，特別是比賽規則與裁判手冊之修訂，做了最重要的貢獻。
朱師叔自先祖父逝世後，接下了在警界傳承的重任，數十年來舉辦過上百次的各級比賽、講習會，多次容任裁判長之職。先祖父自赴海外推展後，最擔心的就是台灣境內摔跤日漸凋零，後繼無人，所幸朱師叔在其摔跤教官的崗位上，以其豐沛的學識素養，研究中國五大摔跤系統（保定、天津、北平、蒙古、山西）、中國歷代摔跤源流考證、近代中國摔跤史、摔跤等階評審暨授帶辦法、比賽規則及裁判手冊之訂定等，奠定推動海內外各項摔跤的發展，二○○二年的年初，以三線二星警監（簡任官）教官暨技術教授的地位榮退，而在退休後一個月內舉辦了歷年來規模最大的級、B級兩項裁判講習會。其生平摔跤之總集成『美哉—中國摔角』巨著和『警用逮捕術』等二本書也行將付梓，而筆者也有幸參與其中，略盡心力。
筆者至今還記得先祖父曾多次提及，雖然同門習藝，但不可造次，每一位師叔皆有其獨到之處。不一定最強的就是最好的，最好的不一定是懂得最多的，懂得最多的卻不一定懂得全面，懂得全面有時也比不上懂得透徹；而最強的通常運動生命最短，瞭解的知識也最有限。這是因為要增加強度，必定要反覆重複練習，因此結果往往是加長訓練時間，減少學習內容，這是塑造一般比賽選手的標準方式。
先祖父很早就以非常嚴肅的態度問過筆者：「是要當個場上的英雄，還是默默的傳承者？」筆者的回答是：「這世界上，中國摔跤的領域裡已經出現了，也證明了一個永恆的英雄—常東昇，那麼還需要或還可能再出現另一個常東昇嗎？而且，中國武術是一門藝術，是博大精深的學問，不是腿長就能跑得快，人高就跳得遠的機械式物理性原理，而是要系統分明，要組織架構嚴謹，要如網狀一般結合，要醞釀、要發酵，不能靠一招半式闖江湖，爺爺年紀大了，與我差了一個世代，等我上場揚威時，恐怕已經來不及仔細學習這如瀚海般的武學。生吞活剝，沒有細細咀嚼，絕對無法消化的，就算真出名了又如何？不過是個小小的台灣區運動會的冠軍。而世界之門、知識的寶庫正等著我來開啟。」
先祖父一生治學，教學極嚴，桃李滿天下，其一身武藝集眾家之長，得來不易；外界或有常大師不輕易教人的誤解，特別是『保定快跤』。實是因為其內容太過豐富龐大，非一年半載可窺其全貌，尤其當年中國屢經戰亂，人心疲憊，待平靜安頓下來，已錯過黃金時期。
先祖父終其一生，為推展摔跤、保存摔跤而努力，做事情永遠是一步一腳印，立定目標勇往直前，從不做遙不可及的夢想，當年他遠赴海外介紹摔跤，是希望人人喜愛摔跤這個博大精深的武學文化，他希望每個人因喜愛保定快跤而著迷，而不是如偶像崇拜般去顯揚他自己，因為一代武術大師常東昇早已有其歷史定位。唯有敞開心胸，擁抱世界，才能真正實踐先祖父的心願，屆時將不難發現，頭頂上的一片天空是何其廣闊無邊。
世界常門武術聯盟 執行長
常達偉
Posted by: iwalkthecircle Nov 8 2007, 11:06 PM
常東昇（1908－1986），字漫天（後改為曼天），河北保定將軍廟街人。回族。出身摔跤世家，九歲開始就跟著父親常蘭亭練習摔跤基本功，接受極為嚴格的身體訓練，十二歲時對摔跤的各種基本動作已精通自如，便拜在摔跤高手張鳳岩先生門下（註一），接受張先生的指導和訓練。到十六歲時，已練成一幅強健多力而又靈活敏捷的體格，掌握了摔跤基本技巧和許多跤絆，成為保定摔跤場上一位引人矚目的少年英雄。常氏兄弟四人個個強健能摔，老大東如，東昇居行二，老三東坡，老四東起，後來都是赫赫有名的摔跤能手，有『常家四虎』之號，大哥東如的天分最高，可惜英年早逝；而以常東昇實力最強，成就最高。
常東昇從十七歲就開始他『徒手天涯』的摔跤家征程。
這一年，保定南鄉的小富村舉行摔跤比賽，保定四鄉的摔跤好手無不踴躍參加。小富村的李老吉實力很強，實際是南鄉摔跤擂臺的主將。常東昇上場頭一輪就遇上李老吉。比賽規距是三跤兩勝，常連勝李老吉兩跤，一跤用的是「撿腿」，一跤用的是「麻花掰」。接下來又勝了另一名高手李老春，也是連勝兩跤，第二跤用的是屬於活步跤中的撕崩捅系列的「搖扯踢」（註二），這是常東昇的拿手戲。這下子，這位初出茅廬的英雄，如猛虎下山崗，精神抖擻，一連嬴了好幾場，最後以一場不敗的記錄穩拿了第一名，『常東昇』三個字也就在保定一帶傳揚開來。
不久，民國十七年（1928）二月二十三日，保定北鄉曹河鎮舉行摔跤比賽，外號『黑塔』的當地名手王世文是曹河鎮的首席跤手。常東昇一行數十人趕到曹河，同行的有前輩閻景春、於老俊、吳老慶、白運章（註三）、安義德等；師兄弟有石乃堂、閻善益、劉靜波、尹世傑、張景泉、米有祥、金月波、馬文奎、安松泉、安壽山、馬耀先、馬朝棟等，都是張鳳岩麾下的精兵強將，聲勢頗壯。這是一次對抗賽，雙方仔細研究了比賽程式，確定由常東昇與王世文對壘。一場真正的龍虎之爭開始了。王世文人高馬大，但對常卻很謹慎。一上手，他用「上把蹩子」進攻，被常一個「裏蹩子」摔倒，跌得很重。第二跤又被常摔出去，倒在地上五六分鐘才起來，王世文地分沮喪地敗下陣來。接下來，對方又舉出劉慶、楊得山兩位跤手，也都敗在常的跤絆之下。曹河鎮一戰後，常東昇的名聲就更大了。
張鳳岩先生非常喜歡這位身手不凡的弟子，但總是提醒他要小心臨陣，凡有比賽，一定要有充分準備，要有必勝把握，『不勝不摔』（先求不敗而後能勝），不然就不摔，那怕甘拜下風都行（註四）。東昇牢牢記住老師這些話，從此更加努力練功。早晨六點，到城外空地上練習各種輔助器材和摔、跌的淩空動作；中午在老師的場子裏跟著老師和師兄們一起練跤，晚上在家練習。每逢一、三、五聽老師講解和示範動作，老師最看重這位既聰明又勤奮的弟子，時常還會單獨傳授些要訣和臨場經驗。【張老師看中常東昇是個可以傳承他的跤場絕活的難得人材，便托人向常家提親，願意將二女兒張少芝許配給東昇，因張老師膝下無兒男，要東昇做倒插門女婿，撐持門戶。常家非常敬重張老師的品德功夫，欣然領受了這份深情厚義。從此，張老師更加全心全意培養東昇，東昇終於得到張氏保定快跤摔法的真傳。常張姻緣是我國百年摔跤史上最讓人津津樂道的一段佳話。】－此段乃是傳聞並非事實（註五）
明朝中葉到民國初（註六），保定是我國北方摔跤運動的中心地之一，跤場林立，人材輩出，風氣之盛，居天下之冠。至清朝中葉時期，老一輩的代表人物有平敬一、張鳳岩、白俊峰、顧瑞年、滿老明、石老俊、安老華、吳四等；民國年間代表人物有常家四虎、石乃堂、劉靜波、閻善益、馬文奎等。五、六十年代也湧現了一批名手，其中以楊子明、王恩信、張建中、申金剛成績最突出。常東昇是保定跤承前啟後的代表人物，也是一個技術全面、品德出眾的中國式摔跤頂級人物。在技術上，無疑地他得益於張鳳岩的精心培養。張鳳岩在保定摔跤界德高望重，他不但設場子教徒弟，頗有收益，而且還開著醬園和飯莊，家境比較富裕，這對從事摔跤運動非常重要，太窮了，吃不好，便沒法練摔跤。他培養常東昇，除了正常的基本功訓練外，還要他拉醬園裏一人多高的大風箱，藉以提高腰背和腹肌的力量；另外，還要常每天站在大醬缸上用大棍子攪拌黃豆醬。這些都是一般跤場所沒有的訓練手段，是張老師就地取材的巧妙辦法，它的作用是顯而易見的。張鳳岩非常重視實摔訓練，經常帶著常東昇等一幫弟子出門去參加比賽，足跡遍佈華北大地，包括摔跤非常興盛的蒙古草原，多次與蒙古跤手舉行對抗賽。常東昇充分發揮保定跤的特長，重技巧，輕蠻力，跤法精細，架勢漂亮，常常以輕捷精巧取勝，在上百次的比賽中，他保持常勝不敗的記錄，於是早就有了『常勝將軍』、『跤王』等美名。
少年英發的常東昇，早就名揚天下。民國二十一年（1932），經馬良推薦，只有二十二歲的常東昇受聘出任中央國術館首席摔跤教師。當時，張之江先生所宣導的『國術』，包括了中國式摔跤等多項民族體育專案，許多武術家，如曾在中央國林館執教的王子平、佟忠義、馬英圖、馬裕甫等先生，都是武術、摔跤兼而擅之，而年輕一輩的摔跤教師如常東昇、楊法武、馬文奎等，也都能練武術，武術與摔跤的結合正體現了民族傳統體育一大特點。常東昇在國術館執教凡五年，不但培養了許多摔跤人才，而且在繼承和總結傳統訓練方法的基礎上，大膽實踐，潛心探求，創造出不少新的訓練手段，使民族摔跤從選材、訓練到競技，都形成一套更加完備嚴密的教程，理論水準大為提高。可以說，在張之江的『國術』體系裏，民族式摔跤發育得最飽滿最成熟，最具備一個現代體育項目所應有的特點，這固然與摔跤本身的歷史經歷等諸多因素分不開，但當時中央國術館的總結提高也是一個重要原因，毫無疑問，這裏面有常東昇的一份功勞。
抗戰軍興，常東昇勇赴國難，先後在第七、第八師和第四、第五路軍任中校體育教官，陸軍軍官學校中校體育教官，傘兵總隊上校體育校官等職。到處積極推廣和普及摔跤，培養了大批人才。當時，拘押在廣西的日本戰俘中有幾個柔道高手，曾公開以柔道向中國人挑戰，氣焰張狂，號稱『打遍中國無對手』。常東昇聞訊後單人前往應戰，憑著他超絕的技巧和一片愛國之心，接連將日俘柔道尖子北義熊、道正夫二人摔倒在地，其他日俘面面相，沒有那個敢再挑戰。北義熊等對常東昇的功夫佩服得五體投地，從此再也不提比賽了（註七）。這是抗戰中一個非常著名的故事。抗戰勝利後，他調任中央訓練團上校體育教官，曾在業餘時間擔任南京五台山之夫子廟的民間自強摔跤社社長，經常親自帶領學員練習摔跤，為南京和江蘇省的摔跤培養了一批人才。
常東昇是舊中國多次全運會的摔跤冠軍獲得者。1933年在南京舉行的五運會上，摔跤是個熱門項目，報名人數多達數百人，常東昇一路斬關破將，輕而易舉奪得冠軍（中量級）桂冠。1948年5月在上海舉行的第七運會上，他代表陸軍參賽，奪得中丙級冠軍，他的弟弟常東起也獲得中乙級冠軍。
1949年常東昇遷居臺灣，後轉到警界工作凡三十多年。在臺灣，他不論在什麼部門，在什麼地方，都滿腔熱心地提倡和傳播摔跤。他先後在警官學校、臺北大學、政治大學、文化大學、建國中學等學校兼任國術教師，風雨無阻地傳播武術和摔跤，受業者多達萬人。1975年退休後，仍積極致力於推廣的發展中國式摔跤，特別熱衷於在世界各地宣傳中國功夫，傳授中國摔跤。他先後應邀去香港、新加坡、西德、瑞典、墨西哥、美國等國講學和表演。他在世界各地享有崇高的聲望，經常成為新聞媒體追蹤的對象，見過他表演的外國朋友，無不為他強健灑脫的體魄和氣質所折服，人們從他的身上領略到了真正的中國功夫的魅力，也看到了一個真正的中國武術大師深厚的學養和謙敬儒雅的儀態。1975年他應摩洛哥國王海珊的邀請，前去表演中國功夫。常先生以65歲高齡與王國衛隊的衛士比試，衛士是柔道和空手道高手，又年輕氣盛，頻頻主動出擊，不想始終採取守勢的常乘勢一個雙推掌，那衛士一個屁股墩坐在地上。第二次交手，衛士剛剛拉開勢子，立站未隱，就被常一個『抹脖踢、返裏靠踢』（註八），將衛士淩空踢翻。頓時，掌聲騰起，國王和大臣們為常先生的精彩表演大加讚賞。晚宴上，國王親自將一柄鑲有寶古的佩刀贈給常先生，這是阿拉伯人給予武士的最高榮譽。
1983年，年逾古稀的常先生應邀赴美三藩市參加中國功夫表演大會，他多次為華僑和美國觀眾表演太極拳和摔跤技術，每次表演都引起轟動。為促進中國式摔跤的發展，他的學生在美國成立了世界中國摔跤協會，一致選他擔任名譽會長。這個協會在美國東、西、南和中部都已建立了分會。如今中國摔跤已被俄亥俄州立大學體育系作為選修課程，計二個學分。常先生在有生之年不遺餘力地為宣揚和推廣中國摔跤而奔走，表現了這位體壇鉅子對民族傳統體育文化的真知和深愛。他堅信，只要國家重視，中國摔跤總有一天會像日本的柔道，韓國的駘拳道一樣，堂而皇之地走進奧運會的神聖殿堂！
常先生一生從事中國摔跤的教學和研究，歷時五十多年，成就卓著，德業恢宏。他技藝絕倫而為人正直謙和，不保守，不搞神秘玄虛，坦誠待人，既使是對手，也總能親近相處，毫無驕得之色。他具有一個傳統武人，或者說是民族體育家的優秀品質，他是上一個時代所造就的『國術家』的代表人物，在中國民族體育史上一定會佔據崇高的位置。
常先生以一生心血所汲汲弘揚的中國摔跤，『文革』中經歷了極左思潮的浸蝕和打擊，又長期遭受對民族文化庸淺無知者的漠視和鄙夷，目前只能在民間自生自滅，處境淒涼，不絕如線。聊以欣慰的是，中國摔跤在世界許多地方正受到青睞，擁有了越來越多的愛好者。80年代的中期就在義大利首先舉辦了國際邀請賽（註九）；90年代初，法國就舉辦了中國摔跤錦標賽，在美國、德國、西班牙、義大利、瑞士、波蘭等國都成立了中國摔跤協會。據說近年來發展勢頭不錯，會員國已有增加，世界性的錦標賽漸成規模。
有關於大陸常大師東昇生平一文，本人有以下諸次之說明與澄清：
註1：張鳳岩大師很早即參與國父 孫中山興中會活動，雖生於清末，但很早就理平頭而不留辮子，我祖母三姊妹也全無裹小腳，並且張大師很早就讓子女接受西方教育（小學校而非私塾），故絕非清廷『布庫』出身。
註1-1：先祖父之大哥東如（小名常山，祖父為常海，老三常江，老四常河）是他畢生最欽佩之人，因其天分最好，悟性最高，可惜在上個世紀初期的中國北方大瘟疫中過世（約A.D1906～1914）。
註2：『搖扯踢』是「撕崩捅活步跤」系統的動作，『搖』是搖臂，『扯』在順把螺旋中是「拔肩」，而逆把螺旋中是「左右撕門」；是以手法為主導的摔法。
註3：白運章，其小哥白俊峰，為摔角好友，前者後在保定府馬號（現擴建為商場）經營包子店，為對摔跤出錢出力之人。
註4：所謂『不勝不摔』應該是指平家師一系之武術精神，『先求不敗而後能勝』。
註5：外傳回族保定快跤系統有入贅倒義門之說，絕無此事，不知當初引用者為何居心，張大師之妻子姓尹，故與平氏無姻親關係；先祖母姓張，祖父姓常，祖父之母親姓平（平宗師姪親戚）都從未改姓過，我祖母之身分證上甚至是冠上夫姓的。至於稱張大師無子嗣也是不實之事，先祖母的哥哥叫做張效蘇，喜愛劍術、吐納、太極等養生術，精書畫，擅長種花、養鳥，不喜歡太過於激烈的摔角，故名為效蘇（效法蘇東坡），身後生有二子，其中一人為回教阿匐（教長，可結婚）。
註6：保定跤自古即有，絕非是所謂明朝蒙古二兄弟傳入，保定一直以來為兵家重地，古稱保陽，有宋以降即是屯兵幕府之地，各路武術高手雲集，所謂蒙古兄弟（後改姓平），應與馬長春有傳承關係，與平敬一宗師（平在保定為大姓）無關，所謂回民分為二類，一種是內地漢人，因為婚姻或工作等原因接受信奉回教，稱為回民；一種是宗族祖上明確來自塞外境域之哈薩克、維吾爾族，百代以來根骨之中就是『穆斯林』，這類稱為回族。而平家、常家是為『維吾爾族』一系，張家是『哈薩克族』系統。有關祖籍源流這點可不容以訛傳訛了。
註7：八年抗戰時期，祖父從軍後因地利之便，在南京五台山夫子廟前，雲石草花亭旁大柏樹下，曾傳授過摔角術，收弟子之事略在前文常東昇宗師事略知中已有敘述。
註8：有關常大師赴摩洛哥表演之事相當精采（原由是哈珊國王生日），但與該文所描寫不盡相同，容後專文敘述。
註9：近十幾年來，世界所舉辦的國際摔跤賽事，因先祖父赴海外推展最早，故以常門子弟之摔角活動最為頻繁，大陸方面可能是因為法國袁祖謀為上海人事（受學摔角於天津），故多所報導，其實在美國，特別是在義大利，乃是由歐洲區總會長安東尼奧‧蘭吉諾領導下，早就在八十年代中期至今就已經辦過六次世界性的國際摔角大賽，而在歐洲區也舉辦了十次的大型摔角比賽。安東尼奧後拜在本人門下為入室弟子，為表至高之尊敬，在肩膀上分別刺青上先祖父及本人之姓名，以表一肩擔起發揚保定快跤之決心與使命。
世界常門摔角武術聯盟執行長
常達偉 2005.03.18
Posted by: iwalkthecircle Nov 8 2007, 11:07 PM
常東昇摔跤故事
一代跤王常東昇
常東昇（1910－1986），字曼天，河北保定人。回族。出身摔跤世家，九歲開始就跟著父親常蘭亭練習摔跤基本功，接受極為嚴格的身體訓練，十二歲時對摔跤的各種基本動作已精通自如，便拜在清廷“布庫”出身的摔跤高手張鳳岩先生門下，接受張先生的指導和訓練。到十六歲時，已練成一幅強健多力而又靈活敏捷的體格，掌握了摔跤基本技巧和許多跤絆，成為保定摔跤場上一位引人矚目的少年英雄。常氏兄弟四人個個強健能摔，老大東如，東昇居行二，老三東坡，老四東起，後來都是赫赫有名的摔跤能手，有“常家四虎”之號，但其中以常東昇實力最強，成就最高。
常東昇從十七歲就開始他“徒手天涯”的摔跤家征程。
這一年，保定南鄉的小富村舉行摔跤比賽，保定四鄉的摔跤好手無不踴躍參加。小富村的李老吉實力很強，實際是南鄉摔跤擂台的主將。常東昇上場頭一輪就遇上李老吉。比賽規距是三跤兩勝，常連勝李老吉兩跤，一跤用的是“檢腿”，一跤用的是“麻花擺”。接下來又勝了另一名高手李老春，也是連勝兩跤，第二跤用的“搖扯踢”，這是常的拿手戲。這下子，這位初出茅廬的英雄，如猛虎下山崗，精神抖擻，一連嬴了好幾場，最後以一場不敗的記錄穩拿了第一名，“常東昇”三個字也就在保定一帶傳揚開來。
不久，民國十七年（1928）二月二十三日，保定北鄉曹河鎮舉行摔跤比賽，外號“黑塔”的當地名手王世文是曹河鎮的首席跤手。常東昇一行數十人趕到曹河，同行的有前輩閻景春、於老俊、吳老慶、白選章、安義德等﹔師兄弟有石乃堂、閻善益、劉靜波、尹世杰、張景泉、米有祥、金月波、馬文奎、安鬆泉、安壽山、馬耀先、馬朝棟等，都是張鳳岩麾下的精兵強將，聲勢頗壯。這是一次對抗賽，雙方仔細研究了比賽程序，確定由常東昇與王世文對壘。一場真正的龍虎之爭開始了。王世文人高馬大，但對常卻很謹慎。一上手，他用“上把蹩子”進攻，被常一個“裡蹩子”摔倒，跌得很重。第二跤又被常摔出去，倒在地上五六分鐘才起來，王世文地分沮喪地敗下陣來。接下來，對方又舉出劉慶、楊得山兩位跤手，也都敗在常的跤絆之下。曹河鎮一戰後，常東昇的名聲就更大了。
張鳳岩先生非常喜歡這位身手不凡的弟子，但總是提醒他要小心臨陣，凡有比賽，一定要有充分准備，要有必勝把握，“不勝不摔”，不然就不摔，那怕甘拜下風都行。東昇牢牢記住老師這些話，從此更加努力練功。早晨六點，到城外空地上練習各種輔助器材和摔、跌的凌空動作﹔中午在老師的場子裡跟著老師和師兄們一起練跤，晚上在家練習。每逢一、三、五聽老師講解和示范動作，老師最看重這位既聰明又勤奮的弟子，時常還會單獨傳授些要訣和臨場經驗。張老師看中常東昇是個可以傳承他的跤場絕活的難得人材，便托人向常家提親，願意將二女兒張少芝許配給東昇，因張老師膝下無兒男，要東昇做倒插門女婿，撐持門戶。常家非常敬重張老師的品德功夫，欣然領受了這份深情厚義。從此，張老師更加全心全意培養東昇，東昇終於得到張氏保定快跤摔法的真傳。常張姻緣是我國百年摔跤史上最讓人津津樂道的一段佳話。
清末到民國初，保定是我國北方摔跤運動的中心地之一，跤場林立，人材輩出，風氣之盛，居天下之冠。老一輩的代表人物有平敬一、張鳳岩、白俊峰、顧瑞年、滿老明、石老俊、安老華、吳四等﹔民國年間代表人物有常家四虎、石乃堂、劉靜波、閻善益、馬文奎等。五、六十年代也涌現了一批名手，其中以楊子明、王恩信、張建中、申金剛成績最突出。常東昇是保定跤承前啟後的代表人物，也是一個技術全面、品德出眾的中國式摔跤頂級人物。在技術上，無疑地他得益於張鳳岩的精心培養。張鳳岩在保定摔跤界德高望重，他不但設場子教徒弟，頗有收益，而且還開著醬園和飯庄，家境比較富裕，這對從事摔跤運動非常重要，太窮了，吃不好，便沒法練摔跤。他培養常東昇，除了正常的基本功訓紙外，還要他拉醬園裡一人多高的大風箱，借以提高腰背和腹肌的力量﹔另外，還要常每天站在大醬缸上用大棍子攪拌黃豆醬。這些都是一般跤場所沒有的訓練手段，是張老師就地取材的巧妙辦法，它的作用是顯而易見的。張鳳岩非常重視實摔訓練，經常帶著常東昇等一幫弟子出門去參加比賽，足跡遍布華北大地，包括摔跤非常興盛的蒙古草原，多次與蒙古跤手舉行對抗賽。常東昇充分發揮保定跤的特長，重技巧，輕蠻力，跤法精細，架勢漂亮，常常以輕捷精巧取勝，在上百次的比賽中，他保持常勝不敗的記錄，於是早就有了“常勝將軍”、“跤王”等美名。
少年英發的常東昇，早就名揚天下。民國二十一年（1932），經馬良推薦，隻有二十二歲的常東昇受聘出任中央國術館首席摔跤教師。當時，張之江先生所倡導的“國術”，包括了中國式摔跤等多項民族體育項目，許多武術家，如曾在中央國林館執教的王子平、佟忠義、馬英圖、馬裕甫等先生，都是武術、摔跤兼而擅之，而年輕一輩的摔跤教師如常東昇、楊法武、馬文奎等，也都能練武術，武術與摔跤的結合正體現了民族傳統體育一大特點。常東昇在國術館執教凡五年，不但培養了許多摔跤人才，而且在繼承和總結傳統訓練方法的基礎上，大膽實踐，潛心探求，創造出不少新的訓練手段，使民族摔跤從選材、訓練到競技，都形成一套更加完備嚴密的教程，理論水平大為提高。可以說，在張之江的“國術” 體系裡，民族式摔跤發育得最飽滿最成熟，最具備一個現代體育項目所應有的特點，這固然與摔跤本身的歷史經歷等諸多因素分不開，但當時中央國術館的總結提高也是一個重要原因，毫無疑問，這裡面有常東昇的一份功勞。
抗戰軍興，常東昇勇赴國難，先後在第七、第八師和第四、第五路軍任中校體育教官，陸軍軍官學校中校體育教官，傘兵總隊上校體育校官等職。到處積極推廣和普及摔跤，培養了大批人才。當時，拘押在廣西的日本戰俘中有幾個柔道高手，曾公開以柔道向中國人挑戰，氣焰張狂，號稱“打遍中國無對手”。常東昇聞訊後單人前往應戰，憑著他超絕的技巧和一片愛國之心，接連將日俘柔道尖子北義熊、道正夫二人摔倒在地，其它日俘面面相，沒有那個敢再挑戰。北義熊等對常的功夫佩服得五體投地，從此再也不提比賽了。這是抗戰中一個非常著名的故事。抗戰勝利後，他調任中央訓練團上校體育教官，曾在業余時間擔任南京民間自強摔跤社社長，經常親自帶領學員練習摔跤，為南京和江蘇省的摔跤培養了一批人才。
常東昇是舊中國多次全運會的摔跤冠軍獲得者。1933年在南京舉行的五運會上，摔跤是個熱門項目，報名人數多達數百人，常東昇一路斬關破將，輕而易舉奪得冠軍（中量級）桂冠。1948年5月在上海舉行的第七運會上，他代表陸軍參賽，奪得中丙級冠軍，他的弟弟常東起也獲得中乙級冠軍。
1949 年常東昇遷居台灣，後轉到警界工作凡三十多年。在台灣，他不論在什麼部門，在什麼地方，都滿腔熱心地提倡和傳播摔跤。他先後在警官學校、台北大學、政治大學、文化大學、建國中學等學校兼任國術教師，風雨無阻地傳播武術和摔跤，受業者多達萬人。1975年退休後，仍積極致力於推廣的發展中國式摔跤，特別熱衷於在世界各地宣傳中國功夫，傳授中國摔跤。他先後應邀去香港、新加坡、西德、瑞典、墨西哥、美國等國講學和表演。他在世界各地享有崇高的聲望，經常成為新聞媒體追蹤的對象，見過他表演的外國朋友，無不為他強健洒脫的體魄和氣質所折服，人們從他的身上領略到了真正的中國功夫的魅力，也看到了一個真正的中國武術大師深厚的學養和謙敬儒雅的儀態。1975年他應摩洛哥國王海珊的邀請，前去表演中國功夫。常先生以65歲高齡與王國衛隊的衛士比試，衛士是柔道和空手道高手，又年輕氣盛，頻頻主動出擊，不想始終採取守勢的常乘勢一個雙推掌，那衛士一個屁股墩坐在地上。第二次交手，衛士剛剛拉開勢子，立站未隱，就被常一個“抹脖朴腳”，將衛士凌空踢翻。頓時，掌聲騰起，國王和大臣們為常先生的精彩表演大加贊賞。晚宴上，國王親自將一柄鑲有寶古的佩刀贈給常先生，這是阿拉伯人給予武士的最高榮譽。
1983年，年逾古稀的常先生應邀赴美三藩市參加中國功夫表演大會，他多次為華僑和美國觀眾表演太極拳和摔跤技術，每次表演都引起轟動。為促進中國式摔跤的發展，他的學生在美國成立了世界中國摔跤協會，一致選他擔任名譽會長。這個協會在美國東、西、南和中部都已建立了分會。如今中國摔跤已被俄亥俄州立大學體育系作為選修課程，計二個學分。常先生在有生之年不遺余力地為宣揚和推廣中國摔跤而奔走，表現了這位體壇巨子對民族傳統體育文化的真知和深愛。他堅信，隻要國家重視，中國摔跤總有一天會像日本的柔道，韓國的駘拳道一樣，堂而皇之地走進奧運會的神聖殿堂！
常先生一生從事中國摔跤的教學和研究，歷時五十多年，成就卓著，德業恢宏。他技藝絕倫而為人正直謙和，不保守，不搞神秘玄虛，坦誠待人，既使是對手，也總能親近相處，毫無驕得之色。他具有一個傳統武人，或者說是民族體育家的優秀品質，他是上一個時代所造就的“國術家”的代表人物，在中國民族體育史上一定會佔據崇高的位置。
常先生以一生心血所汲汲弘揚的中國摔跤，“文革”中經歷了極左思潮的浸蝕和打擊，又長期遭受對民族文化庸淺無知者的漠視和鄙夷，目前隻能在民間自生自滅，處境淒涼，不絕如線。聊以欣慰的是，中國摔跤在世界許多地方正受到青睞，擁有了越來越多的愛好者。早在90年代初，法國就舉辦了中國摔跤錦標賽，在美國、德國、西班牙、意大利、瑞士、波蘭等國都成立了中國摔跤協會。據說近年來發展勢頭不錯，會員國已有增加，世界性的錦標賽漸成規模。這是一個諷刺，一個令人無法理解的悖謬現象，與官辦武術存在的一系列悖謬現象如出一輒。記得早在1992的就有人寫過題為《中國式摔跤的兩種命運》的文章，呼吁主管部門及早注意摔跤的命運，警惕它在世界上可能被“雜交”而導致“變種”的危險性。快十年了，不曾聽到對這一呼吁的任何回應，作為一個老體育工作者，作為民族體育的愛好者，我們真覺得輾轉反側，不能安枕。再想到常東昇先生直到臨終前還在以“推廣摔跤，任重道遠”的字幅贈送給弟子張光明的情景時，更加令人悲從中來。我們真誠地為中國摔跤祈福，盼望著這份極其珍貴的民族體育遺產能世世代代傳存下去，盼望它終有一天能重振雄偉，代表著中華民族走上世界體育的競技場，隻有這樣才能告慰常先生的在天之靈。
天橋的摔跤
一九二二年前後，北京天橋一帶出現以盈利為目的的職業摔跤場。
張狗子、沈三、滿寶珍等都是當時有名的跤手。這些跤手有的是清廷的扑戶，清帝遜位後就來到天橋靠摔跤為生。跤手在摔跤上場時必須慷慨陳詞以招徠觀眾，表演結束後要錢時也要說上一段漂亮話。內行稱這種人為說買賣的。既是為了謀生，摔跤雙方都是真真假假，配合默契。一般開始是認真比拼的，待三五回合之後，觀眾漸多准備收錢時，就耍花架子了，目的是摔得漂亮，以取悅觀眾，才好收錢。摔跤是中國武術中實戰性很強的技術，六十年代，出身中央國術館的常東升就到美國推廣摔跤。原中央國術館少林門門長王子平亦高度評價摔跤，將之比喻為「風絞雪」，形容它像寒冬臘月，北風呼嘯，再加上卷起陣陣夾帶冰雹的雪浪，迎面劈來，以示其凶猛險惡。
保定快跤傳海外－－常東升
“摔跤大王”常東升以保定快跤著稱。他採用大架式，輕視用蠻力，擅長用“撕”、“崩”、“捅”等方法摔倒對手，長於以小制大，尤精於“得合”、“麻花掰”等絕技。沾衣即跌，其動作干脆利落，速度快，摔遍大江南北無敵手，被譽為“快跤花蝴蝶”。
常東升祖籍河北省保定，字曼天，七、八歲開始習武，十歲正式拜保定快跤宗派大師張鳳岩門下，張鳳岩認定常東升是摔跤奇材，授予真傳並被張招贅。他有兄弟四人，被譽為常家四虎：老大常東升、老二常東起、老三常東坡、老四常東福，都身懷摔跤絕技。
常東升畢業於南京中央國術館，歷任軍隊的武術教官、摔跤社社長、國術館摔跤教官，1947年在上海舉辦的第七屆全國運動會上獲摔跤中量級冠軍，後來也在學校裡教授摔跤。得意弟子有後來去台灣的翁啟修、黃正男、林起愷等人。
常東升的技藝超群，其摔法對擂台賽有莫大的影響，競賽中他選用的摔打踢拿的連環招式所向披靡，在國際擂台賽中，他的台灣弟子的摔法神乎其技，飲譽海內外摔壇。他於1975年退休後，受摩洛哥國王之邀前往訪問，在金鑾殿前與皇室武士相較，技壓群雄，獲國王頒贈一柄代表最高榮譽的寶劍。1976年在新加坡舉辦第四屆東南亞國術擂台賽時，常東升應邀前往獻藝，身手矯健，雄風不減當年。爾後，常東升來往於美國的芝加哥、紐約之間義務傳授跤藝，在他的影響下，紐約成立了世界摔跤總會，使古老的中國跤術，得以發揚光大。
常東升教授平易近人，但訓練極嚴格，著有《摔角術》一書。
中國式摔跤在美國
在海外推廣中國式摔跤，我國大陸和寶島台灣的跤界都做出了努力。說到在美國傳播跤藝，不能不提台灣的摔跤高手林起愷先生。他在美受聘，並將跤術揚威於美國，受到美國警務當局的重視，為中國式摔跤的推廣做出了貢獻。
1983 年，林先生憑藉以往刻苦練就的摔跤技術，當著美國喬治亞州全州各單位的警察訓練主管面，把中國式摔跤中摔、打、拿、點的各法奧妙，發揮得淋漓盡致，頓時技驚四座。喬治亞州警察當局隨即聘請他為摔跤教官、特殊技術人才。由於他傳授的摔跤技術十分實用，當地警察學習後在制服犯罪時效果極佳，令美國最有名望的反恐怖作戰學校（SIONICS）的高層人士對他刮目相看，隨後聘請他為學校的武術總教練。以華人的身份受到美國治安當局的如此重用，林先生可算是第一人。
年過五旬的林先生，1970年畢業於台北體育專科學校。他曾隨摔跤大師常東升先生學藝多年，並甚得器重。林先生十六歲時曾受聘警校的摔跤教官，十七歲獲得台灣省的摔跤冠軍，而且在歷次比賽中都戰勝對手。後在台灣的一些大專院校執教達十七年之久，於1981年榮獲了台灣的最佳體育教練稱號。
摔跤是我國武技中的古老自衛術，是含有進攻、防御、逆襲諸法，以技巧配合搏擊功夫徒手制人的武技，林先生同他的師父常東升一直認為，摔跤是一項既可以列入賽場的體育運動，更是一項適合警務人員職業需要的訓練科目。
中國式摔跤之所以揚威於美國治安部門，有賴於中國跤術摔、打、拿、點各種技巧的實用，也有賴於林先生繼承了跤技精華並能運用於教學之中。
林先生現在美國喬治亞州亞特蘭大，領導著“全美實戰摔跤協會”。也也是“摔跤國際聯合會”的“美洲摔跤協會”新組織的籌備負責人。他的名氣在美國警方大振，凡他有機會到芝加哥、洛杉磯等犯罪率高的城市時，當地警方必請他講座，因為，中國式摔跤極受美國警方的重視。
Posted by: iwalkthecircle Nov 8 2007, 11:07 PM
河北保定回族的中国式摔跤概況
保定回族的摔跤概況 分類：歷史介紹
俗話說：京油子、衛嘴子、保定府的鉤腿子，鉤腿子指得就是保定的摔跤。
【保定摔跤是從明朝初年傳入的，根據有關碑刻記載明建文年間，有蒙古族兄弟二人，老大布彥不花，老二布呼爾皈依伊斯蘭教，跟隨燕王朱棣南征北戰，立下汗馬功勞，朱棣稱帝后封二人為『千戶』，賜姓平，分取名毅良、毅清，並在保定平嘉胡同建造府第，就是人們後來就俗稱平家胡同。】（此段甚多是移花接木）平家二兄弟（此平家與平大師敬一家族並無任何關連，平大師敬一家族為維吾爾族塞外移入）不僅善於馬上征戰，而且精通跤術。保定當地的回族人由於人單勢孤，素有尚武之風，為了更好的防身自衛，有好多回族人便求平家兄弟傳授摔跤技術（保定摔跤並非由平家兄弟傳入，因保定自古便是兵家重地，所以摔跤本身就很盛行），於是保定的回族摔跤便由此開始。保定回族摔跤由平家兄弟傳入，又經回族諸英豪代代加工錘煉，把摔跤的技巧同拳術中的身法步法結合，逐漸形成了保定摔跤的風格，到清代名揚四方。（註一）
馬長春大敗跛士胡
1822年，清親王奕經帶領六名大內侍衛和兩名「跛士胡」（蕩語：一等摔跤手的意思）來參加保定的摔跤盛會，這兩名跛士胡不僅摔跤技藝精湛，而且力大絕倫，因為他們曾把兇猛的犛牛戰敗而得綽號「大犛牛」和「二犛牛」，又因為大犛牛曾拽著大象的鼻子將其從獸欄中扔了出去，奕經便賜他為『神力王』。
開賽後，大犛牛把直隸總督選派的摔跤高手擊敗後叫囂道：『保定不過如此！』這時保定的回族馬長春被大犛牛的嘲笑激怒，挺身而出與之較量，開始兩個人摔了三十多個來回沒分出高下，大犛牛便使出了看家的絕招—「黏沾」，而馬長春沉著應戰，結果把大犛牛扔出幾米遠，給了大犛牛一個結結實實的大馬趴，連這幾次。大犛牛多次起身後不敢上場了，伸出大拇指對馬長春說：「你的腰比那江南的柳樹還要軟，保定摔跤—這個！」從此江南柳便成了馬長春的綽號。
一代豪傑平敬一
繼馬長春之後保定武林界的第二位有影響的人物是回族人平敬一（註二），平敬一祖居保定國公街，1830左右出生，【身材高大魁梧，系馬長春的關門弟子】（其平大師的身材瘦高，並且與馬長春全然無關。），此外他還曾師從於南宮縣孟六，學習了少林功夫。1860年在「中州會館」只用五招便打敗前來與他挑戰的教師爺趙振鋒。
此後趙振鋒到處拜訪名人求高師，用三年工夫練成狐狸鞭術（九節狐尾鞭），於1863年又找到平敬一報仇，趙振鋒使用的武器是一條茶碗口般粗細、由金屬編制而成的狐狸鞭（註三），平敬一手持的是一根白蠟杆（平大師敬一用的是『纏腰布棍』，使用白蠟桿的是張大師鳳岩。），二人交手又沒幾個回合趙振鋒便被平敬一的白蠟杆抽在脊背上倒地，這也多虧平敬一手下留情，否則倘若打在趙振鋒頭上那將會是另一番景象。趙振鋒起身後跪倒在地：「平老師，我算服了你」。從此後二人成為莫逆之交。後來北京萬盛鏢局的頂樑柱鏢師找到平敬一比試，結果未過五招便被平敬一用羅漢拳打敗。
平敬一的一生行俠仗義，廣交豪傑，成為當時武術界的著名俠士，在北方頗有影響，南來北往的鏢車凡經過保定的，必在他門前百米內下車拜見。平敬一多次護送重要鏢車，打敗明火執仗的搶劫，粉碎黑店的暗算，都使鏢車順利到達目的地。山東太岳山聖華寺的玉通大師嗜好摔跤，足跡遍步全國十三省未遇對手後來到保定挑戰平敬一，兩人在鼓樓下會戰，最後也是以玉通大師失敗而告終。
因此徐哲東於1930年所著《國技論略》中稱讚平敬一『少林武功，冠爵一時』。到了晚年平敬一深感出入江湖煩事太多，不願再抛頭露面，便一心一意經營在保定清真寺旁東大坑把式場，傳授武藝。其弟子如林，著名弟子八人：張鳳岩、王福田、白俊峰、馬蔚然、尹長祿、尹殿奎、馬良，其中除了尹殿奎一人是滿族外，其餘的都是回族人。平敬一要求一起練武的人既要強筋壯骨善於自衛，不甘受辱，也要講究武德，不仗藝欺人，從此開創了保定回族武術摔跤運動的先河。
明師出高徒
平敬一的八大弟子繼承先師的遺志，把保定摔跤術發揚光大，因而在清末民初保定跤坊上湧現出很多摔跤高手，成為保定摔跤的鼎盛時期。平敬一的八個弟子個個身懷絕技。
張鳳岩，又名張洛鳳，既是平敬一的大弟子也是女婿（註四，真是太扯了，並不是女婿！！），人稱『賽鐵腿』，因為只要他用腿捲住對手一搓就能將對方的腿別斷。
【1895年保定的蕩回毆鬥中，尹長祿用長棍打死旗人高手關洛胤，為躲避保定府的緝捕逃和張鳳岩等到北京。有一天張洛鳳等到大柵欄閒逛正逢京師頭號摔跤高手、黑幫頭目寶善三在那裏擺設摔跤擂臺。張鳳岩見寶善三雖然武功精湛，但武德很次，把上臺的三位好漢都摔得骨折筋斷。於是張鳳岩走上前去教訓寶善三，交手沒多久寶善三知道遇上了高手，不敢大意，使出渾身解數對付張鳳岩，最後張鳳岩使著『蟒纏樹』，捲住寶善三的腿使勁一搓：「廢了你吧」！隨著寶善三一聲慘叫後他的腿骨已斷，張鳳岩兩臂一擰把寶善三扔到台下，台下的觀眾歡聲雷動。】（註五，此段並無根據，實屬道聽塗說。）
王福田是平敬一的二弟子，不僅摔跤功夫高深，在武術上也很有造詣，他到濟南後聽說當地有一跤霸名叫范天龍，就前去會戰，連勝范天龍三跤，使保定功夫在濟南威名大震。
白俊峰是平敬一的三弟子，每天睡半夜、起五更，把家中的一口大缸做練功的工具沒命的練，開始他擰空缸，來回擰，以後逐漸往缸裏填土。幾年後，他能將裝滿土的大缸扔出老遠。
馬蔚然是平敬一的四弟子，沒有參加1895年的蕩回大毆鬥，在平敬一雙目失明後（註六，平大師得的是『眼翳病』並非失明）留在師父身邊伺候，【平敬一也得以把平生所學全部傳授給他，從而馬蔚然的摔跤功夫和武術造詣都達到爐火純青的地步】（此處所述的是張鳳岩大師，並非馬蔚然。），「鐵杆順風旗」（這是張大師鳳岩的絕技，叫做『順風扯旗』，這應該是弄錯人了！！）是他的拿手絕活兒，向後擔任過南京中央國術館總教官和館長。（註七）
尹長祿是平敬一的五弟子在1895年的蕩回大械鬥中用長棍打死關洛胤後，成為政府緝拿的主犯，他逃往南方，幾經輾轉最後落腳到武漢，靠自己一身卓越的武功擔任武漢新軍的武術教官。
馬良，字子良，系平敬一的小弟子，幼年從師平敬一，對武術有著濃厚的興趣，後又進日本軍隊士官生學校學習，畢業回國後於1901年就任山西武備學堂和直隸陸軍學校教習。後投靠北洋軍閥，任參戰軍旅長、師長等職。後有長期任濟南衛戎司令官、濟南鎮守使、山東督軍等職。成為獨霸山東的軍閥。他的衛隊是從保定清真東街的回族中挑選的武術高手組成。馬良特別重視讓部下學習摔跤，提高格鬥素質，他於1913年在山東濟南創建武術傳習所、山東國術館，並親任館長。還曾任中央國術館名譽館長，培養出眾多武術和摔跤專業人才。他早在20世紀就邀請拳術家編寫《華新武術》，後有於1911年和1914年兩次邀請武術名家編纂武術和摔跤的教科書，其內容包括摔角科、拳腳科、劍術科等。使摔跤規範化、理論化，並向全國推廣。
一代跤王 常東昇
常東昇，保定將軍廟人，八歲隨父親常洛倫（註七，常大師的父親名為「常蘭亭」，並非叫做常洛倫。）練摔跤基本功，十歲拜平敬一的大弟子張鳳岩為師，成為張鳳岩的關門弟子之一。由於他體格強健，天資聰穎，又能刻苦練功，練成『得合』、『度花擺』（註八，此為麻花掰。）等絕招，能以『沾衣即跌』之速讓對手茫然倒地，【他小時侯臉被燙過一次，從而在鼻樑上眉心部位留下一塊疤痕，剛好左右對稱，形似蝴蝶，再加上他摔跤前習慣先左右來幾個刺空兒姿勢，手舞身擺好象蝴蝶一樣，所以人們稱他『花蝴蝶』。】（註九、十，此段簡直是在胡扯，『花蝴蝶』的稱謂與此燙傷無關。）在他打敗保定及附近所有摔跤名手後，成為當時保定第一摔跤高手，有曾隨劉棆山學習『形精拳』，從楊茂堂處學的『霸手拳』，並研習劍棍。在天津摔倒『蓋河北』鄒井昆，到南京又摔倒中央國術館摔跤大賽中奪魁的一等教官楊發武，被南京中央國術館館長張之江授予少將官銜，【同時又得到館內武術家、摔跤家馬英圖、馬裕甫名家的指點，技藝精進。】（註十一，並無此事，名門出身又何須他人指點。都已是『常勝將軍』，又何來指點。）七七事變前，摔倒「大日本皇軍」第一勇將、九段高手森田喜直，挫敗日寇的囂張氣焰。
常東昇1937年赴廣西桂林平東任國民黨軍官培訓團武術教官，1940年起任國民黨警官學校教官。1948年在上海舉行的第七屆全運會摔跤比賽中獲中量級冠軍。不久隨警校到臺灣任教於中央警館學校，並在文化大學、政法大學、建中大學等教授摔跤。1976年退休後曾到摩洛哥、新加坡、西德、瑞典、墨西哥、美國等國講學和表演等國表演，被譽為中國跤王，後客居美國，在芝加哥和紐約兩地教授中國跤術。著有《摔角術》。
閆善意
閆善意是於常東昇同時代的又一名保定回族摔跤國手，同是張鳳岩的關門弟子。閆善意最露臉的要數他摔敗新鄉摔跤名將“鐵胳膊”王大勁，王大勁能獨自一人輕而易舉的端起磨盤，而且穩穩當當的蓋在井上，不僅力大而且摔跤技法嫻熟，是遠近聞名的高手然而在與閆善意比賽時卻連敗三跤。
當閆善意得知常東昇在南京很風光後便從保定趕往南京，恰巧趕上全國摔跤比賽，便匆匆上陣，不料竟奪得冠軍，同時還獲得了擊劍比賽的亞軍。
馬文奎
保定清真寺街回族馬文奎師從多人，不拘一格所以招勢教多，在常東昇、閆善意相繼離開保定後脫穎而出，成為保定府摔跤第一高手。參加了在上海舉行的全國運動會，並奪得冠軍，在會上還結識了開封回族姑娘、全國射箭冠軍馬桂蘭，兩人互相傾慕，不久便結為伉儷，後來南京中央國術館館長馬蔚然安排馬文奎到開封當教官，於是隨妻子馬桂蘭回到開封。抗日戰爭全面爆發後，馬文奎流落到石家莊靠賣牛雜碎度日。解放後，黨和政府派人找到他，任命他擔任了國家摔跤隊的教練和一級裁判。
解放後保定回族依然保持著尚武和酷愛摔跤的傳統，他們勤學苦練，湧現出一個又一個摔跤高手，在1991年的民族傳統運動會上，回族選手安長青和安波分別獲得摔跤項目的金牌和銀牌。保定當代回族湧現的少林武術教師有馬汗清、馬文龍、馬子容、馬子明等。
有關於大陸保定回族的摔跤概況一文，本人有以下諸次之說明與澄清：
註一：蒙古族賜姓的平家兄弟與平敬一大師家族並無關連，平家系統為維吾爾族。保定自古以來便為兵家重地，所以保定之摔跤自古即有，更不是由平氏二兄弟所傳。
註二：馬長春何許人也？本人絕未曾聽先祖父敘述師承、傳承時提起，也從未聽先祖母（張鳳岩家師之女兒）提過。本人數年前曾三度造訪保定，見過平敬一宗師五世孫，民族事務局副局長平克軍，也受保定市體育局邀請參訪，其間曾多次詳細詢問保定摔跤古今之發展。從未聽過提及馬長春其人，手頭上的『保定市體育誌』一書，對平、張、常三位大師皆有詳細介紹，不知所謂平敬一宗師的師父馬長春為何未在此介紹之列？
本人之小女為1998年出生，與先祖父相差90年，尚且知道她曾祖父之種種事蹟，而先祖父與平敬一宗師（1830～1908）相差不過78年，怎麼可能連外叔公的事蹟都不知道了呢？馬長春者容或真有其人，但與平宗師一脈傳承系統並無關係，先祖父從大陸揚名，到與政府軍隊播遷來台灣後，將摔跤推向世界超過一甲子的時光，從未有訊息提過平敬一宗師的師父是誰，為什麼最近又突然出現？
中國式摔跤於近幾年來，接連著歐、美與大陸舉辦國際邀請賽的鼓舞之下，已有全面復興的勢頭，在這關鍵點，本人懇切地希望，應該把重心放在技術傳承、國際交流及教育訓練上，而非把歷史人物以小說的方式來包裝與炒作。到底金庸筆下的汝陽王是真有其人，但張無忌就是虛構之人物了，希望武術摔跤的愛好者，不要走入歷史與神話鄉野傳聞的迷思之中。
註三：平敬一宗師據先祖父的轉述是『身材高瘦，略有駝背』（並不是該文所述之「高大魁梧」），與張鳳岩大師體材相同（先祖父年少時，身材亦相同）。故保定快跤一系強調的是身材勻稱、勇猛精悍，而不是長的跟大牯牛一樣。
趙振鋒曾聽說過，其兵器正確名稱叫做『九節狐尾鞭』，盤起來有海碗口粗（並非是鞭子本身似碗口粗），而平宗師最厲害的武器是貼身的『纏身布腰帶』（布棍），張鳳岩大師最厲害的是『白蠟扎桿』，先祖父最厲害的是隨身的『順逆雙鉤分水峨眉刺』。
那麼平敬一宗師的摔角傳承到底是什麼呢？先祖父曾明確的告訴本人，在張鳳言大師口中的師父，他的摔角體系是屬於『家跤』、『私跤』，亦即是『家傳的摔跤術』、『私房門裡的摔跤術』，是由他們平氏家族之中各個會跤、練跤的高手長輩、父執輩們從小到大細心調教的，如同本人所學亦是『家跤』、『私房跤』。他是整個家族所培育出來的成果，因此無法明確指出真正的所謂「師父」是何許人也。
平敬一宗師以其深厚的家傳摔跤基礎，再加上無出其右在少林拳法上的高超成就，終於保定跤提昇為『沾衣即跌』（一般跤場上不傷和氣的比劃較手），散手快摔的形式（遇有無法避免的挑釁，必須實戰的時候）。
先祖父說：「他的老師張鳳岩一生最大的成就是將保定散手快跤的大系統作了全面而且精確完美的整合。」至於他本人，照先祖父的說法：「若有什麼成績的話，應該是在技術層面上體現了『撕、崩、捅、活步跤』的精神，另外在能提昇與強化全面水平的練功法上，作了完整的分析和交代，使一個真正循序漸進來練習的保定快跤手能達到『不退功』的境界。」
註四、五：保定跤一系絕無入贅、倒插門的事情，這點在前文「一代跤王常東昇」一文之釋疑中已交代清楚，不再重複。有關該文提到張鳳岩大師到北京將寶善三摔斷腿一事，也是道聽塗說，鄉野奇聞罷了，本門自平敬一宗師以降特重武德，不仗藝欺人，即使對手心術不正，手段狠辣也只是「摔趴了他」，不可能讓對方骨折筋斷，而且跤場有跤場的禁忌與規矩，最忌見紅，而將跤場主摔斷腿更是不可能善了，所以識者把它當承傳其故事看看就罷了！
註六：平敬一宗師晚年並未失明而是得了一種叫做『眼翳病』的眼疾（長時間暴露於陽光下或是灰塵風沙等刺激，使眼球組織長出翼狀贅片，影響視力。）倒是早年的輕微駝背，到年老的時候可能壓迫脊椎神經，使得平宗師晚年腰腿不方便，但是張鳳岩大師卻在平家包子舖看過，平宗師雖然腰腿不便但仍然能以『布棍』的發勁法來「撐麵」（即拉麵，目的將麵團拉長抖開。）這又是保定快跤另一個『不退功』的明證，至於平宗師將什麼畢生武藝傳給馬蔚然也是子虛烏有之事，眾所周知的是大弟子張鳳岩得其真傳，而馬蔚然是弟子中唯一帶藝拜師的（心意六合門），因此能法得到真傳就不在話下了。至於該文所稱的所謂『鐵杆順風旗』也是馬蔚然的絕活兒，這也是移花接木、牛頭不對馬嘴了，因為所謂『鐵杆順風旗』，其真正的名稱叫做『順風扯旗』分為正扯旗與倒扯旗二種，屬於散手跤系統，有練功法及發勁法（即強化功力與提昇技術兩類）。發勁法又是屬於『斜打二十四連手式』當中的第二十二式，所以『順風扯旗』是張鳳岩大師的獨門功法，而先祖父也傳承下來了，並在1960年代末期在台北青年公園留下珍貴照片。本人則在多年前於台北植物園，台北縣摔角協會的練習聚會場地裡已經教給了許多摔跤同好，受惠者有數十人。先祖父終其一生特別強調的就是不弄玄虛，把真實的技術還原出來，因此本人真切的呼籲撰寫武術文章、文獻的朋友們，在下筆之前一定要百分之百的求證，不確定的不如不寫，不要像『太極拳』一樣提傳到現今，到底有沒有張三豐其人，到底與太極拳的發展有沒有直接、間接的關係都是眾說紛紜，不可考據了。所以敘述歷史，特別是在網路向全世界公開的場合理，要拿出御史大夫的風範，而不是說書講故事的輕鬆心情才對。
註七：有關馬蔚然使否曾在中央國術館擔任要職一事，經查證並無此事。
民國八年，濟南鎮守使馬良，徵調第五師武術的精英，於濟南成立山東武術傳習所(山東國術館前身)，培訓武術人才。1928年南京中央國術館成立，李景林 (劍術名家)出任副館長，1930年(民國19年)任山東國術館館長，1931年病死於濟南，終年47歲。後由竇來庚先生任館長，當時省長韓復渠為兼任館長，並於民國24年成立師範班，培養山東省各縣市國術館館長及教練人才。
各門派各種類武術教練約21人。
1.竇來庚 館長：太乙門高祖師爺的嫡傳弟子，當時武術名家，民17年全國國術考試，最優等(第一名)15名之一。
2.田振峰 教務長：以倡導技擊實踐而聞名全國，亦是形意拳家。(當時雖肯定孫祿堂的拳藝，但並不認同他的學理)
3.林秉禮：號「經三」人稱林經三，山東國術館畢業，民國22年第二次國考，獲得(1)拳腳表演(2)短兵表演(3)拳腳擂台(4)短兵對抗(應用對打) 四項冠軍。其中拳腳表演(套路)演練「醉猴拳」；短兵表演「金鋼圈」(娜吒拿的兵器)；拳腳擂台打敗鐵沙掌名家顧汝章最出人意料。人稱他1秒能打7、8 拳，自己說沒這麼多。後任教於山東國術館，負責太乙門拳腳、拳腳應用(對打)、短兵應用(對打)。抗日開始，進入保安十七旅第三師。
4.張登魁、楊春智、楊玉鳳：民22年國考表現優異，已故范之孝老師(中央國術館畢業)於國術季刊寫道『中央國術館概況』，文中言及『山東國術館於第二屆國考獲勝者極佔半數，如張登魁、楊春智、楊玉鳳…等』。張登魁後任教於南京中央國術體育專科學校，教受摔角，頗具影響力。
5.韓慶堂：山東國術館修畢，進入中央國術館第一期，後在台灣廣傳拳術，一代名家。
6.王子章：山東國術館修畢，進入中央國術館，專習搏擊，後回山東國術館教搏擊(拳擊)。
民24年師範班成立：
7.朱憲章：畢業後派至濟南消防隊，抗日勝利後，躲過文革，民國70~80年間約為80多歲，因文革影響，仍不願多言。山東國術館史的見證及傳承者。
8.馬增泰：來台後住於台北新店，為了生活未教拳。也是山東國術館史的見證及傳承者。
9.劉維中：現住高雄，傳揚國術。自小習武，與父親劉幹卿(山東武術傳習所畢)同為太乙門弟子，民26年畢業，奉派擔任縣國術館館長，同年七七事變發生，加入抗戰行列，抗日做戰被砲彈所傷，撤退台灣繼續接受治療，如今肝臟仍有碎彈片，身腰部有一大傷痕，膝蓋亦傷，身上之痛已視如家常便飯若有若無了。60歲左右患癌症，無錢就醫，憑藉毅力與拳術演練，至今84歲左右，為國術的歷史見證及傳承人，在高雄創立高雄市武術協會，受當地人士敬重。
山東國術館教練：
1.李培義：河北保定人，民國20年左右約60多歲，原武術傳習所教官，負責摔角。
2.李膺勳：河北保定人，形意拳名家李存義的叔叔，教形意拳，拳快下盤穩。
3.馬耀南：教形意拳…等
4.常教練：不識字，教月牙钂鏟、拳腳、十八般兵器樣樣精通。
5.胡教練：不識字，所教授鉤、埋伏拳為獨步武林的絕藝，觀摩表演時，當胡教練下場表演埋伏拳，就無人敢再下場表演埋伏拳。
其他繼續蒐集整理，山東國術館的師生多抗日犧牲，竇來庚館長率領保安十七旅(含師生)，抗日事跡可見於山東臨胊文史資料選集。
中央國術館最初名為『國術研究館』。建館的宗旨，除行政管理和編審教材書刊外，另設學生武術訓練隊（班），培養武術師資，以便推廣武術教育。按說屬於學術教育機構，張之江向教育部申請備案，可是教育部不承認，他們認為武術是已被淘汰的東西，教育部不提倡這個舊玩藝聲稱如果一定要提倡，只能屬於民眾團體，不屬於教育系統。百般刁難，堅不批准。
張之江在無可奈何的情況下，找到國民政府常務委員李烈鈞先生，（當時國民政府由主席林森負責外，李烈鈞算是第二把手，他能發號施令）李烈鈞和張之江是辛亥革命雲南起義的老友，有深厚的友誼，李烈鈞當即拍板﹕教育部既然不承認，那麼就由國民政府直接領導，經費由國庫開支。於1927年3月15日，國民政府公報第41期刊載第174號公文批准備案。國術研究館即由國民政府直接領導，於是便改為中央國術館，並發表成立宣言。
這時，張之江奉中央令赴各省視察軍務，中央國術館的籌備建館工作，即派馬良和王子平負責籌備，籌建處設在南京韓家巷，暫借中華基督教會幾個房間，當時副館長李景林也遷到籌備處辦公，還有武術專家馬英圖、劉印虎等人。
中央國術館建館的發起人有國民黨的著名人士蔡元培、孔祥熙、于右任、鈕永健、張之江、張樹聲等。該館設有理事會，由馮玉祥先生擔任理事長，並設參事會，聘請當代名人擔任參事，每季度召開參事會議，提出各項寶貴意見，起到建設性作用。
中央國術館的組織，分為三處，即教務處、編審處、總務處。教務處負責教學，培養師資，設處長一人，第一任處長為王子平，此後朱國福、吳俊山、吳翼暉、楊松山等繼任。編審處負責編輯教學資料，審定教材，整理武術傳統項目，設處長一人，由姜容樵、吳伯年、金一明等先後擔任。這些人都是文武兼備的武術專家，他們編寫了大量武術書刊和理論報道，為我國的武術理論建設和技術傳播起到極為重要的作用，總務處負責行政後勤、財務、文書等工作，設處長一人，由李滋懋、竺永華、龐玉森先後擔任。
附設學生武術訓練班，訓導主任由張瑞堂擔任，朱國楨為隊長，兼教搏擊，隊付朱國祿兼教長拳，楊法武兼教摔跤，劉洪慶兼教器械，何福生為幼年班班長，馬正武為副班長。另有武術名家孫祿堂教授（江蘇省國術館副館長）教形意拳，楊澄甫教楊式太極拳，龔潤田教吳式太極拳，陳子榮教陳式太極拳，吳俊山和孫玉昆教八卦掌和擒拿，馬英圖教劈掛拳和八極拳，李玉山教燕青拳、太極鞭，孫玉銘教棍術，張本源教查拳。
中央國術館的館訓﹕『術德並重，文武兼修』學習武術的目的是健身強種，自衛御敵，不能恃武逞強，尋隙鬥毆，更不能欺善壓弱，在不得已自衛還擊時，要適可而止，不可置對手於死地。在練武的同時，還要修身養性，學武也要學文，學文化，學科學，要精通武術各項理論和消化各項教材。
中央國術館的口號﹕『強種救國，御侮圖存』所以中央國術館培養的武術人才，幾乎都是術德並重，文武兼修的武林俊杰，分布在國內外，如國內的：國家體系的吳江平，北京體院張文廣，雲南省武協主席何福生，上海復旦大學李錫思，東北師大康紹遠，武漢體院溫敬銘（已故）等，海外的：臺灣傅淑雲，美國張震海，英國黃濟復，新加坡陳玉和，馬來西亞宮邦杰，泰國劉景行，巴西劉振元，印尼林瑞興，緬甸鄺榮濤，越南張俊，香港燕棠華等，這些人為武術事業作出了積極貢獻。
註八：先祖父少年時即被稱為『花蝴蝶』，原因是其以『撕、崩、捅』活步跤摔法時，其身形輕靈優美，猶如蝴蝶於花叢中穿梭一般，而活步跤的動作是以嚴緊而多變的手法及步法（移動法）互相穿插搭配而成，從遠處看是非常向蝴蝶的翅膀舞動翻飛得型態，故有此稱呼與臉上的傷痕完全無關。【傷痕是先祖父的祖母在他極幼小的時候，在火爐旁取暖時，被破裂飛濺的瓦片沾黏在臉上，祖母一時心慌心急用手移除時所造成的，這些傷痕在年輕時並不明顯，是在老年時（六十歲以後）因黑色素沈澱累積之後才逐漸清晰的。】
註九：先祖父一生揚名四海，最厲害的絕招就叫做『麻花掰』，這麻花是天津的三寶之一，個頭皆極大與南方麻花酥不同，所以吃的時候一定要用雙手掰開，以方便享用。「麻花」、「撒子」、「油炸裹兒」是北方很普遍的吃食小點心。『麻花掰』又稱『麻花三疊式』，是保定咼交平宗師一系所傳的一百二十四式的『黑手』之中最後倒數第二式（倒數第三式是黏步連身揭手六疊靠）。這兩類動作在接手上有從屬主客的相聯性。
世界常門武術聯盟 執行長
常達偉 2005.04.09
Posted by: iwalkthecircle Nov 8 2007, 11:11 PM
Just some stuff I saved from internet over the years.....
Posted by: northbear Nov 8 2007, 11:24 PM
very cool.
quite a read.
thank you for posting.
bow.gif
Posted by: northbear Nov 8 2007, 11:27 PM
I met him in Shuai Jiao club at Jian Guo high school.
man, I am old.
bow.gif
Posted by: iwalkthecircle Nov 8 2007, 11:31 PM
QUOTE(northbear @ Nov 8 2007, 10:27 PM) *
I met him in Shuai Jiao club at Jian Guo high school.
man, I am old.
bow.gif
that is the highSchool JW went to as well.....
my uncle in taiwan also went there. he was on a wrestling scholarShip using judo, & he is also super smart.
Posted by: hejinghan Nov 8 2007, 11:39 PM
Master CTS is one of the MA master I respect and admire.
I've met one of his old student in Nanjing, Mr. Zhang Jing-Tow, both CTS and ZJT had good " hand skills" instead of only " throw", it means they have the hand skills to open opponents door to move in, so they can fight with other kinds of MAtists, their arms and body has a " twist force" so they can throw people fast and "easy", these two abilities are rare to see now from CTS's lineage, maybe don't learn to throw in the beginning, maybe what CTS did when he was young is a clue.
Posted by: shawnsegler Nov 8 2007, 11:42 PM
QUOTE(hejinghan @ Nov 8 2007, 07:39 PM) *
Master CTS is one of the MA master I respect and admire.
I've met one of his old student in Nanjing, Mr. Zhang Jing-Tow, both CTS and ZJT had good " hand skills" instead of only " throw", it means they have the hand skills to open opponents door to move in, so they can fight with other kinds of MAtists, their arms and body has a " twist force" so they can throw people fast and "easy", these two abilities are rare to see now from CTS's lineage, maybe don't learn to throw in the beginning, maybe what CTS did when he was young is a clue.
That "dull sickle" training?
Best,
S
Posted by: YouKnowWho Nov 9 2007, 05:38 AM
QUOTE(hejinghan @ Nov 9 2007, 03:39 AM) *
Master CTS is one of the MA master I respect and admire.
I've met one of his old student in Nanjing, Mr. Zhang Jing-Tow, both CTS and ZJT had good " hand skills" instead of only " throw", it means they have the hand skills to open opponents door to move in, so they can fight with other kinds of MAtists, their arms and body has a " twist force" so they can throw people fast and "easy", these two abilities are rare to see now from CTS's lineage, maybe don't learn to throw in the beginning, maybe what CTS did when he was young is a clue.
I believe you are talking about "butterfly hands" and close, mirror stance entering strategy here. The 'twist force" can be developed from the Gon twisting training.
Most people paid attention on GM Chang's skill and not many people paid attention on his super human strength. With his strength, any moves can work for him without effort. I saw him to use XingYi Heng Chuan to knock one guy 45 degree up in the sky like a flying bird (in Taiwan Culture University). Never believe a human arm can generate that much power.
Posted by: count Nov 9 2007, 07:27 AM
Thanks for posting this. smiley.gif
Posted by: hejinghan Nov 9 2007, 09:40 AM
QUOTE(YouKnowWho @ Nov 9 2007, 05:38 PM) *
Most people paid attention on GM Chang's skill and not many people paid attention on his super human strength. With his strength, any moves can work for him without effort.
Yes, that's the point.
Posted by: DeusTrismegistus Nov 9 2007, 09:49 AM
QUOTE(YouKnowWho @ Nov 9 2007, 04:38 AM) *
I believe you are talking about "butterfly hands" and close, mirror stance entering strategy here. The 'twist force" can be developed from the Gon twisting training.
Most people paid attention on GM Chang's skill and not many people paid attention on his super human strength. With his strength, any moves can work for him without effort. I saw him to use XingYi Heng Chuan to knock one guy 45 degree up in the sky like a flying bird (in Taiwan Culture University). Never believe a human arm can generate that much power.
My teacher trained with Chang Tung Sheng as well. He said that if GM Chang demonstrated a punch or throw on you it meant he liked you. My teacher has also talked of being lifted up in the air like YouKnowWho is describing.
Posted by: dragontigerpalm Nov 9 2007, 10:35 AM
Thanks for posting.
Posted by: C.J.W. Nov 9 2007, 10:51 AM
I once had a conversation with Mr. Chu Yu-Long -- another student of GM Chang. He said that when GM Chang was teaching at the Police Academy in Taiwan, one day the new students were having a routine physical checkup, which included grip testing. The officers at the academy had long heard stories about GM Chang's super strength, and handed him a grip tester to see just exactly how strong he was. The GM squeezed and guess what -- the machine broke! The needle on the meter went beyond the maximum 100-kilogram (about 220 pound) limit and cracked in half. (The average grip of an adult Asian male in Taiwan is between 40-45, and GM Chang's is more than twice as much)
Just to give an idea of how powerful GM Chang's grip is, I was watching a strongman show the other day in which the contestants attempted to pull an airliner forward as far as they could. None of them had a grip exceeding 200 pounds.
Posted by: ashe Nov 9 2007, 11:12 AM
QUOTE(YouKnowWho @ Nov 9 2007, 02:38 AM) *
Most people paid attention on GM Chang's skill and not many people paid attention on his super human strength.
but how did he get that strength?
Posted by: Royal Dragon Nov 9 2007, 12:07 PM
Probably a variety of progressive resistance exercises, with a good deal of freakishly strong genetics.
Posted by: wotien Nov 9 2007, 01:48 PM
Just curious .... how did Chang Tung Sheng end up in a photo with both Gene Chicoine and John Allen of Green Dragon?
Posted by: YouKnowWho Nov 9 2007, 04:48 PM
QUOTE(ashe @ Nov 9 2007, 03:12 PM) *
but how did he get that strength?
The grip strength can be developed from:
- bag throwing,
- Cane bundle twisting,
- Wooden stick twisting,
- ...
The striking art may only need punching and kicking power but the throwing art will require much more body parts strength.
Posted by: samtao Nov 9 2007, 05:00 PM
Great Story !
Thanks for posting it !
Only on the flowa can we find such incredible history facts.
Makes me think of you JWang, you are one lucky man shocked.gif !
Posted by: gosao Nov 9 2007, 05:11 PM
QUOTE(YouKnowWho @ Nov 9 2007, 01:38 AM) *
Most people paid attention on GM Chang's skill and not many people paid attention on his super human strength. With his strength, any moves can work for him without effort. I saw him to use XingYi Heng Chuan to knock one guy 45 degree up in the sky like a flying bird (in Taiwan Culture University). Never believe a human arm can generate that much power.
lol
anyone know the story of what happened here? Did that Clyman get hurt by this or did his gold bell training make him impervious to the flying bird technique?
Posted by: Nianfong Nov 9 2007, 10:13 PM
don't dig up those worms man.
iWC I fixed your pinyin in your title. you might wanna include some chinese now wink.gif 常東昇
Posted by: Akronviper Nov 10 2007, 12:49 AM
From what I remember Clyman took the shot, was a little dazed, but Chang did not hit him very hard. No body was put into the shot. Chang was in a visiting country and felt it was best not to go around knocking out proclaimed martial artists out of respect and courtesy. From what I was told he did not try to hard and every one seemed to know that, They did wish that he would have laid him out though others wanted to.
Posted by: iwalkthecircle Nov 10 2007, 11:00 AM
QUOTE(Nianfong @ Nov 9 2007, 09:13 PM) *
don't dig up those worms man.
iWC I fixed your pinyin in your title. you might wanna include some chinese now wink.gif huh.gif
thnx my pinYin really sucked... i just spell the way i proNounce it in english.
for some reason the tittle does not take certain type of chinese well.
Posted by: Phuc Dat Bish Nov 10 2007, 03:50 PM
He should have cracked his head open.
Posted by: DeusTrismegistus Nov 12 2007, 09:34 AM
QUOTE(gosao @ Nov 9 2007, 04:11 PM) *
lol
anyone know the story of what happened here? Did that Clyman get hurt by this or did his gold bell training make him impervious to the flying bird technique?
Whats the story behind that pic?
Posted by: Akronviper Nov 12 2007, 01:23 PM
From what I was told Clyman a self proclaimed expert in Golden Bell training, came to a exhibition where Chang was I belive in Collumbus. He wanted to prove that his golden bell was so good he could withstand blows from anyone, so during the course of the exibition he asked Chang to hit him and he would resist it. Chang being in a new country and trying to spread SC did not want to hurt the guy so hit him with little force. Every one there thoght he was lucky he did not hit him hard he still belived his golden bell saved him
Posted by: S.W. Pennykid Nov 12 2007, 08:22 PM
I'm always very grateful whenever anyone presents information on Ch'ang Tung Sheng. That man is my Goku.
More than any other martial artist, this man gets me off my ass and training.
I am terribly envious of John Wang. With that kind of training I could have been more Hercules and alot less Don Knotts.
Scott
Posted by: gosao Nov 13 2007, 02:46 AM
QUOTE(Old Ox @ Nov 12 2007, 09:24 AM) *
Depends on who you ask. Clyman himself quotes another shuai jiao guy:
"'In 1981, I witnessed Gary Clyman request Grandmaster Ch'ang Tung Sheng to hit him so he could reality test his Gold Bell Training. He was hit 6 times and kept smiling. He is the only person I ever saw brave enough to do that.'"
Dr. Chi-Hsiu "Daniel" Weng Ph.D., President, United States Shuai Chiao Assn., 9th Degree Black Belt (See above photo)
In other words, Clyman asked for it, Clyman got it, and Clyman is not averse to using the photo to market himself.
Others say that Mr. Ch'ang was only hitting lightly.
What Mr. Ch'ang himself thought about the incident does not seem to be a matter of public record.
So Clyman's saying Gold Bell training protects against punches to the face? Because judging from that pic looks like he got uppercutted to the chin.
Posted by: Felipe Bido Nov 13 2007, 09:50 AM
QUOTE(wotien @ Nov 9 2007, 03:48 PM) *
Just curious .... how did Chang Tung Sheng end up in a photo with both Gene Chicoine and John Allen of Green Dragon?
In the same way that you can end up in a pic with Richard Simmons... you just have to be where he is, and ask for a pic.
Posted by: Akronviper Nov 13 2007, 01:08 PM
every one says the pic with Allen from GDS was photo shoped, but that was the early 80's not very good fakes then (remember no photo shop then), but with the demos being performed in the areas and at one time GDS being a sister school to Chicoines its not hard to believe he was in the pic it works out like Filipe Bido says you say hey can I have a picture with you.
Also when you look at the picture of Clyman getting hit is a very non involved drilling punch, no body movement nothing. He doesn't look like a guy trying to take his head off.
Posted by: Sekhmet Nov 13 2007, 01:52 PM
QUOTE(Akronviper @ Nov 13 2007, 11:08 AM) *
every one says the pic with Allen from GDS was photo shoped, but that was the early 80's not very good fakes then (remember no photo shop then), but with the demos being performed in the areas and at one time GDS being a sister school to Chicoines its not hard to believe he was in the pic it works out like Filipe Bido says you say hey can I have a picture with you.
Also when you look at the picture of Clyman getting hit is a very non involved drilling punch, no body movement nothing. He doesn't look like a guy trying to take his head off.
how can you tell all that from a pic. honestly it looks like he is linked to me. but again hard to tell from a photo. given CTS' rep tho i have no issues believing such an even occurred.
Posted by: Sal Canzonieri Nov 13 2007, 05:58 PM
QUOTE(Akronviper @ Nov 13 2007, 12:08 PM) *
every one says the pic with Allen from GDS was photo shoped, but that was the early 80's not very good fakes then (remember no photo shop then), but with the demos being performed in the areas and at one time GDS being a sister school to Chicoines its not hard to believe he was in the pic it works out like Filipe Bido says you say hey can I have a picture with you.
Also when you look at the picture of Clyman getting hit is a very non involved drilling punch, no body movement nothing. He doesn't look like a guy trying to take his head off.
it was done with a stat camera, that's how things were done back then, without photoshop.
This was proven a fake photo many years ago, people showed the actual photo of him and this fake one side by side and you can see that not only was it the exact same photo with shading shadows, etc not the same as the other two guys, but that they missed a piece of background color that was in the original and also in the faked one that is not possible to be in the photo.
So, it is a fake, case was settled long ago.
Posted by: Akronviper Nov 14 2007, 01:47 PM
So who faked it?
Posted by: Felipe Bido Nov 14 2007, 03:04 PM
QUOTE(Akronviper @ Nov 14 2007, 03:47 PM) *
So who faked it?
Maybe a person interested in appearing in a pic with Chang ? wink.gif
Posted by: DeusTrismegistus Nov 14 2007, 03:11 PM
QUOTE(LizY @ Nov 14 2007, 01:15 PM) *
Would you be able to give some historical reference to this statement? I am researching HuangDi and have not come across any reference to the martials arts he or his family practiced. Of course a lot of academics would question whether HuangDi even existed, but archeology often has to catch up with oral/cultural history.
Chinese Kuoshu Institute, History, <http://www.kuoshu.co.uk/History%20-%20SJ.htm>. Retrieved on 2007-10-08 See also Peiser, Benny (May 1996), "Western Theories about the Origins of Sport in Ancient China", Sports Historian 16: 117-139, ISSN 1351-5462
That might help.
Posted by: Akronviper Nov 14 2007, 05:25 PM
QUOTE(Felipe Bido @ Nov 14 2007, 02:04 PM) *
Maybe a person interested in appearing in a pic with Chang ? wink.gif
Exactly, (follow my Scooby Doo detective skills) So some how one of the three people in the picture received this picture from some one and doctored it. Then the same person that took the picture and gave it to them came back years latter and confronted Allen about the authenticity of it. Sound fishy. the picture was taken at Stow High School in Stow , Ohio the same city as GDS. Allen was in direct contact with Chicoine at the time, is it so hard to believe that he could of gotten his picture taken with a living legend. Every one has conspiracy theorys and thats just one. Picture dont make you a better MA or mean he is your teacher. I have a picture with Arnold Swartennnegr ? dosn't means he trains me.
Posted by: Nianfong Nov 14 2007, 08:59 PM
QUOTE(Old Ox @ Nov 12 2007, 05:24 PM) *
Depends on who you ask. Clyman himself quotes another shuai jiao guy:
"'In 1981, I witnessed Gary Clyman request Grandmaster Ch'ang Tung Sheng to hit him so he could reality test his Gold Bell Training. He was hit 6 times and kept smiling. He is the only person I ever saw brave enough to do that.'"
Dr. Chi-Hsiu "Daniel" Weng Ph.D., President, United States Shuai Chiao Assn., 9th Degree Black Belt (See above photo)
In other words, Clyman asked for it, Clyman got it, and Clyman is not averse to using the photo to market himself.
Others say that Mr. Ch'ang was only hitting lightly.
What Mr. Ch'ang himself thought about the incident does not seem to be a matter of public record.
Shit. we've been here before so just drop it. Don't make me send this thread to BTDT.
My teacher is dr. weng. You should read that quote in a less than reverent tone... more of one that's joking. my teacher is quite funny in real life. he is the one who brought GM to the states in the first place, and was hosting that demo. Clyman was a student of my teacher at the time.
You don't just kill people flat out in the states when they ask for a demo of skill, even if you can.
Now where's this picture of chicoine and allen?
Posted by: Akronviper Nov 14 2007, 09:10 PM
I have one in an old IKF mag with one. I'll post if I figure it out, possibly in another thread as not to hijack this one. I love the GM Chang threads I almost feel disrespectful by getting this far off topic.
Posted by: DeusTrismegistus Nov 15 2007, 03:18 PM
QUOTE(Nianfong @ Nov 14 2007, 07:59 PM) *
Shit. we've been here before so just drop it. Don't make me send this thread to BTDT.
My teacher is dr. weng. You should read that quote in a less than reverent tone... more of one that's joking. my teacher is quite funny in real life. he is the one who brought GM to the states in the first place, and was hosting that demo. Clyman was a student of my teacher at the time.
You don't just kill people flat out in the states when they ask for a demo of skill, even if you can.
Now where's this picture of chicoine and allen?
I met Daniel Weng at the Shuai Jiao mini camp at OSU recently. I was pleasantly surprised at his sense of humor and his approachableness. He is very cool and a good teacher smiley.gif
Well is it BTDT to bring up Frank DeMaria? I just heard his name recently and was wondering if he is actually the adopted son of GM Chang? I hadn't heard of him before which I found surprising.
Posted by: JAB Nov 15 2007, 03:44 PM
Unfortunatly there is a lot of controversy surrounding the senior students of Chang's when he passed. I have met many of them and for the most part they are nice people. Many are too concerned with who is the "lineage holder" type BS. Chiccoine is a scum bag as a human being to the local people of Akron, can't speak of his skills martially though. Apparently many students did not get some of the humble, ego-less, qualities of there teacher Chang, and it became very evident at his passing. Too bad really.
Jake cool.gif
Posted by: DeusTrismegistus Nov 15 2007, 04:16 PM
QUOTE(JAB @ Nov 15 2007, 02:44 PM) *
Unfortunatly there is a lot of controversy surrounding the senior students of Chang's when he passed. I have met many of them and for the most part they are nice people. Many are too concerned with who is the "lineage holder" type BS. Chiccoine is a scum bag as a human being to the local people of Akron, can't speak of his skills martially though. Apparently many students did not get some of the humble, ego-less, qualities of there teacher Chang, and it became very evident at his passing. Too bad really.
Jake cool.gif
Well I think everyone in america should stop arguing over who is the lineage holder as I thought it was obvious it is his grandson. I thought that was announced publicly shortly after his unfortunate passing?
Posted by: cerebus Nov 15 2007, 04:28 PM
*C'bus sits backs pops a beer, grabs the popcorn & prepares to watch the show*
Posted by: Nianfong Nov 15 2007, 04:44 PM
while I might agree with you, deus, not everyone will. just drop it. it's very touchy.
Frank Demaria was "adopted" (more like taken as a godson) by GM for political reasons.
an adopted son by western definitions is an 義子 (yi zi). he was taken as a godson by GM, as a 乾兒子 (gan er zi)
-Fong
Posted by: JAB Nov 15 2007, 06:22 PM
Like Nian said it is a "touchy" subject with many folk. I have heard various things from various people in various countries. All seems silly to me, but what do I know.
Out of curiosity did Chang's son(s) not train? I would assume since it was passed on to his grandson?
Jake cool.gif
Posted by: Akronviper Nov 15 2007, 09:04 PM
QUOTE(JAB @ Nov 15 2007, 02:44 PM) *
Chiccoine is a scum bag as a human being to the local people of Akron, can't speak of his skills martially though.
Jake cool.gif
I dont want to get into a lineage war or who's teacher is better, its been played out so many times and it leads to anger and trolls. But I'm born and raised in Akron and disagree with your post. If you have founded reasons for this I would like to hear them off the board P.M me it will be fun.
I have heard many things about the people of Changs Lineage, even from people at historic events, have met Chang and even from his closest disciples. Its not my place to disparage any ones teacher in public. If Chang picked these people as a disciple he has his reasons and who are any of us to question his judgment in this topics. So all should be shown equal respect in public as not to call them names. its immature and usually motive driven. Lets all try to spread shuai chiao and not get back into the lineage and personal attacks and fights. Especially in a thread meant to spread info about the sports greatest.
Posted by: Nianfong Nov 15 2007, 09:09 PM
*dangerously close to flushing this thread to BTDT*
Posted by: Akronviper Nov 15 2007, 09:41 PM
Is there any in depth information available about the curriculum at the Nanking Central Kuo Shu School. Masters who were teachers in their respective arts and what not. You hear alot about it in bio's but havn't heard of info strictly on the school.
Posted by: DeusTrismegistus Nov 16 2007, 09:15 AM
QUOTE(Akronviper @ Nov 15 2007, 08:41 PM) *
Is there any in depth information available about the curriculum at the Nanking Central Kuo Shu School. Masters who were teachers in their respective arts and what not. You hear alot about it in bio's but havn't heard of info strictly on the school.
I would be interested in this as well. Also what other styles of kung fu GM Chang taught. I know he was a shuai jiao teacher but did he teach the other styles seperately or alla s part of his shuai jiao method?
Posted by: LizY Nov 16 2007, 02:01 PM
QUOTE(DeusTrismegistus @ Nov 14 2007, 07:11 PM) *
Chinese Kuoshu Institute, History, <http://www.kuoshu.co.uk/History%20-%20SJ.htm>. Retrieved on 2007-10-08 See also Peiser, Benny (May 1996), "Western Theories about the Origins of Sport in Ancient China", Sports Historian 16: 117-139, ISSN 1351-5462
That might help.
Thanks for the info. Will look it up. The only problem with the Kuoshu webpage is that it doesn't provide a provenance, i.e.
it doesn't reference where this passage came from:
"Shuai Jiao (Chinese Wrestling) is the most ancient of all Chinese martial arts with a history of over 4,000 years. Its first recorded use, in a military engagement, was when the Yellow Emperor of China fought against the rebel Chih Yiu and his army, 2,697BC. They used horned helmets and gored their opponents while using a primitive form of grappling. This early style of recorded combat was first called Jiao Ti (butting with horns). Throughout the centuries, the hands and arms replaced the horns while the techniques increased and improved. The name Jiao Ti also changed and was referred to by many names popular at that time in history or by government decree. "
Will try to get a copy of the Peiser, Benny book as well.
Thanks again.
Posted by: cerebus Nov 23 2007, 12:34 AM
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Posted by: iwalkthecircle Nov 8 2007, 11:03 PM
http://mastermatt.com/about/sheng.html</a>
he oldest form of Kung Fu, Shuai Chiao can be traced back to Huan Ti, the "Yellow Emperor"(2700 BC). Shuai Chiao means "competing to throw", so Shuai Chiao is often called Chinese Wrestling, which could be misleading, since leg work(low kicking, leg tangling, and tripping), arm locks, and a variety of hand strikes are all part of this devastaing system.
Grandmaster Ch'ang Tung Sheng
Grandmaster Chang Tung Sheng
The father of modern day Shuai Chiao was Grandmaster Ch'ang Tung Sheng who died in 1986. Grandmaster Ch'ang Tung Sheng was born in 1908, the year of the Monkey, in Hopei Province in the northeastern section of China -a province long known for the great martial artists produced there. Of all the Masters coming from this region over the past 2,000 years, one of the most pre-eminent is the legendary Grandmaster Ch'ang Tung Sheng, perhaps the greatest fighter in the last 300 years irrespective of style and certainly the most tested and proven one in this century. Grandmaster Ch'ang started serious training in Kung-Fu in 1915 when he was seven years old. He learned the basics from his father & grandfather, but later his teacher was the famous Master Chang Feng-Yen who was well known as the foremost expert in Pao-Ting Shuai Chiao, the fastest and most powerful of the 3 main branches of this ancient art. Chang Feng-Yen was the top disciple of Ping Jing-Yee, who like Grandmaster Ch'ang, was a legend in his own time. General Ma, the first of the great Masters to compile ancient Shuai Chiao techniques for publication, was another prestigious student of Ping Jing-Yee.
Grandmaster Ch'ang has often stated that Master Chang Feng-Yen was the best teacher in that time regardless of style, and, as a result, many of the most promising young students wished to study with him. Of many who came before Master Feng-Yen to exhibit their basic skills, very few were chosen. Grandmaster Ch'ang was not only one of those few, but by the time he was eventeen he was already declared a Master himself, had attained proficiency unmatched by any of his peers, was the favorite pupil of Master Feng-Yen, and had married his Master's second daughter. When Grandmaster Ch'ang was about 20 years old, he left Hopei Province and went to Nanking to study at the Central Kuo Shu School, the best in all China, in order to learn all the major styles of Kung-Fu. Since the best instructors and students from every major style were represented there,admission was an honor and exposed the practitioner to the widest possible cross-section of Chinese Martial Arts knowledge that could be found anywhere- in a phrase, if it wasn't practiced there, it probably wasn't worth much. Once again, Grandmaster Ch'ang's capabilities were such that after five years of training with the best students in all of China, he emerged at the head of the program and became the teacher of the Shuai-Chiao department, having also mastered the styles of Shing Yi, Lo Han, Tai Chi, Pa Kua, and most elements of Shaolin in addition to his own!
At one point he went to challenge the Mongolian champion at their annual meet in Chang-Chia-Kuo, and in so doing had to fight the well known Kuhli, a giant of a man standing well over six feet tall and weighing almost 400 lbs.! Grandmaster Ch'ang agreed to use only wrestling techniques, and, despite the difference in size, repeatedly countered dozens of attacks by the Mongolian champion while throwing him down again and again with a variety of beautifully executed moves.
In 1933, at the age of 25, Grandmaster Ch'ang entered the Fifth National Kuo Shu Elimination Tournament in Nanking. This "no holds barred" competition involved over 1,000 participants and included Masters in all major styles from all over China battling each other for supremecy in all-out combat. Grandmaster Ch'ang won all of his matches, including one over his arch rival Liu Chiou-Sheng, and emerged the heavyweight grandchampion. Significantly, this was the last great tournament of its kind where Masters who were trained in the old ways fought in an "anything goes" manner to determine the very best among them. This national meet was considered to be the severest test of the ability, strength, and skills of any fighter and the winner was fully acknowledged to be the undisputed Champion of all China. Such open, free style, "no holds barred" tournaments on that scale were never held again, leaving Grandmaster Ch'ang the last truly tested fighter open to challenge by anyone regardless of style or system!
Both before and after his brilliant victory in the National tournament, Grandmaster Ch'ang traveled frequently with the intent of seeking out different teachers all over mainland China that were known to him to be famous for certain techniques or movements. It has been said that he studied with most of the best living Masters, humbly playing the role of "student" even though he could defeat them. He continued this quest until he had learned the specialties of some 70 different teachers and was satisfied that the techniques he knew were the best in existence.
During World War II, Grandmaster Ch'ang trained elite units of the military where he eventually rose to the rank of Lt. General. His exploits during this time are a story in themselves and would take a book to recount. Just one aspect of his many experiences involved challenging all of the top Judo experts at the Kuang-Si Province prison camp. Over a thousand prisoners were interned there and amused themselves by practicing Judo all day long. After challenging and beating their Chinese guards, they were confronted by Grandmaster Ch'ang who had heard of their prowess while teaching in Kue-Lin, the capital of Kuang-Si Province. Grandmaster Ch'ang fought every one in turn, including three high ranking champions, Hakayama Taido, Hisa Kuma, and Michi Masao, and defeated each of them handily.
In 1948, the National Athletic Meet was held in Shanghai. Unlike the tournaments before the war when hundreds of great Masters were still living(many died in the war), the meets following the conflict were not open, free-style, "anything goes" in organization. In conjunction with this major change, Shuai Chiao was now an independent contest and using other styles of Kung-Fu as the Grandmaster had done formerly were not allowed. Even so, the scope of the contest was large, with participants coming from 32 provinces, 12 special municipal cities, nine overseas Chinese teams, and 58 Military police units! Grandmaster Ch'ang, now 40 years old, represented the Army and easily won the overall championship proving he was still number one even after 15 years had passed!
Having won two national tournaments and proven himself countless times in hundreds of matches, both friendly and otherwise, Grandmaster Ch'ang went on to teach at the Central Police Academy in Taipai for nearly 30 years. During that time he was also Chief Official for all of the national tournaments on Taiwan and Shuai Chiao advisor for the military, the police, and the educational system. Though many Kung-Fu styles are taught in Taiwan, none have the prestige of Shuai Chiao, where the Taiwan Shuai Chiao Association boasts over 38,000 members-- making it one of the largest Kung-Fu organizations in the world!
In April, 1975, Grandmaster Ch'ang, then 68 years old was invited to Morocco to give an exhibition of the Chinese arts to the King(Grandmaster Ch'ang's faith was Islamic). During his visit, a 4th degree Tae Kwon Do instructor in service to the King as head of his personal bodyguards challenged Ch'ang and was accepted. The "match" lasted only seconds as Grandmaster Ch'ang deftly dodged the attack of the Korean and knocked him unconscious with a slap of the hand! Obviously, the years had not diminished the physical power and skills acquired by being trained by Masters from the previous century, the likes of which now exist only in a small handful of very old men.
In February 1982, the Grandmaster organized the International Shuai Chiao Association and spent much of the time since promotiing his art by traveling throughout the world giving demonstrations, workshops, and seminars. In June 1986, at the age of 78, the martial arts world was saddened by his untimely death.
The extent to which Grandmaster Ch'ang was respected, revered, and feared by the Chinese martial arts community is incalculable. He was regarded as a literal "national treasure" by Taiwan and was the only Master to be granted the red, white, and blue belt, the national colors of Taiwan, which was buried with him and will never be awarded again. Since the knowledge and the caliber of men needed to train someone as Grandmaster Ch'ang was trained no longer even exist, the 10th degree in Shuai Chiao was retired upon his death never to be awarded again. Some say that as much as 60% of all Kung-Fu knowledge that existed in the earlier years of this century went to the grave with him!
In perhaps all of Chinese Martial Arts history, no one ever went totally undefeated for well over half a century- certainly not if they accepted any and all challenges as Grandmaster Ch'ang did! Indeed, he was not only just one of a kind, but, unfortunately for all of us, Grandmaster Ch'ang was one the likes of which will never be seen again. Amid all of the competing and conflicting claims made by latter-day teachers as to whose style or system is superior, no one except the disciples of Grandmaster Ch'ang can state that their teacher defeated the teachers from all other styles at a time in history when the deciding factor in victory was who walked away!
Master Mollica on being thrown by
Grandmaster Ch'ang Tung Sheng:
"Attacking Ch'ang Tung Sheng was like sticking your hand in a blender...
He hit you, locked you, and threw you to the ground with one whirling motion!"
-Matt Mollica, 5th Teng
Posted by: iwalkthecircle Nov 8 2007, 11:05 PM
常公東昇大師，河北保定府東城根將軍廟街人，為世襲虔誠之穆斯林，其先祖是來自新疆境外之維吾爾回族。
先祖父與其岳父（亦即其師父）張大師鳳岩及其外叔公（亦即其師祖）平大師敬一，因同為穆斯林的身份，故比鄰而居，當時保定城東為回民區，因此摔跤由回民之中蓬勃發展。
先祖父有兄弟五人，除幼弟之外，皆在摔跤及武術上有傑出表現，當地人稱『常門四虎』。其父親常蘭亭君，早年受學於平大師敬一，與張大師鳳岩同為教親亦為街坊，更是師兄弟，感情深厚，其後更結為親家。先祖父受其父親蘭亭君啟蒙最早，而受長兄常東如的影響最大。其長兄與先祖父年紀相差約有七、八歲，為得張大師鳳岩真傳之入門弟子，先祖父一生縱橫四海，從無敗績，素有『百勝將軍』之稱。唯獨對東如大哥敬佩感懷不已，因其大哥人聰穎、悟性高、伸手迅捷、招式巧妙，常自感弗如。可惜東如大哥因罹病，英年早逝，但過世前將其胞弟託付恩師，拜入張大師鳳岩門下。
先祖父因家學淵源，啟蒙甚早，長兄提攜，兄弟互相砥礪，又因地利之便與師父比鄰而居，朝夕相處，而同穆斯林，感情更無隔閡，因此，追隨張大師鳳岩十二、三載，盡得真傳，最後更將其掌上明珠（先祖母）張少芝女士許配予他（坊間誤傳入贅，絕無其事）。
張大師鳳岩晚年一直為盲腸及結石疼痛所苦，此為痼疾，時好時壞，又不願開腸破肚接受西醫治療，但見到先祖父摔跤技巧已爐火純青，盡收真昧，而愛女終身有託，心願已了，因此將本門『保定快跤』，自平大師敬一以降傳承的棒子交下來，並傾其畢生絕學，授業先祖父跤拳共八個套路、十三胎抱樁功調息法（一稱十三太保樁功）、摔跤總（歌）訣上下兩闕、摔跤八大勁（即摔法動作技術總合分類法）、九門奇械（『保定快跤』特殊器械練功法，如張大師最擅長的扎桿）、散手跤實戰用法（融合踢、打、拿、點，於過程之中，用摔法做最終結表現的型式）、『保定快跤』黑手【平大師敬一傳張大師鳳岩一百零六手，張大師鳳岩傳先祖父常東昇一百一十八手，常大師傳一百二十四手（黑手之意，為隱而未現，難於察覺，走奇峰，用巧招，直攻人性暗理處的弱點，用式講求精妙神絕，為古人摔跤無數先聖先賢的心血結晶，絕對不是心狠手辣，歹毒陰險，下毒手之意）】。
而最後則是將傳承自平大師敬一的少林拳法（特別是『羅漢拳』）授與先祖父。先祖父年輕時因其父親為平大師敬一之學生又為其外叔公，故曾習少林拳法，至此中就得其完整全貌（據徐哲東於一九二九年所編撰之國技論略一書中所稱，今世真得少林之傳者，據保陽馬良言：「河北南宮孟家橋，有孟六授保陽平敬一，敬一武藝冠絕一時」。而習武之人難免有筋骨皮內外傷等，張大師再將早年因行善而巧得之清廷大內朝奉秘傳之補益藥酒之藥方傳予先祖父，稱『金羅山崑』仙酒，叮囑有朝一日能濟世救人。
當年時值國民政府肇興，內憂外患動盪不安，日本帝國主義在東北、華北更是蠢蠢欲動，因此先祖父離開了家鄉，闖蕩大江南北，最後受馬良（子貞）將軍、張之江將軍之賞識，帶藝進入當時中國武學最高之學府『南京中央國術館』擔任學員兼摔跤教員。
綜觀先祖父由幼年啟蒙而致追隨張大師鳳岩習藝，最後進入『南京中央國術館』，凡二十餘載，雖蒙上天垂顧，機緣奇巧，誕生於武學世家，但其不畏艱難、不懼苦痛、不服輸、不退縮、探究根底、追求真理的精神才是成功之主因。
先祖父自進入『南京中央國術館』，先後參加並得到了全國武術國考第一名，及南京、上海兩次全國運動會摔跤冠軍，並投身軍旅，為對抗日本帝國主義而轉戰南北，這些部分史料多有記載，筆者在此不多做贅述。一九四○年代，先祖父隨部隊轉進台灣後，從此展開了四十年推展『保定快跤』的新頁。
先祖父來台後由軍職轉為警職，官拜中央警官學校（現稱中央警察大學）專任教官之職，教授摔跤課程。期間更在台灣各文武大學教授『保定快跤』，又因住家之便，也在台北市建國中學及植物園成立摔角社團，培育出不少好手。
先祖父一生淡泊，除領有微薄車馬費外，大部分都是義務性質，只希望能留下悠久的武學血脈。
筆者自幼與先祖父同住，七歲啟蒙後，至十二歲起，不論寒暑，每日清晨陪同先祖父至植物園，或練功、或散步、或背誦口訣心法、或憶及往事、思念家鄉、閒談奇聞異事或風俗典故。凡此種種永生不忘。筆者在多年以後，成立『台北縣摔角協會』，為追念先祖父，也在鄰近植物園、建國中學之南海學園成立訓練基地，傳授常門武學。
一九七○年代，先祖父因考量台灣境內體育運動及武術發展，在主客關因素接受西方文化影響牽制太大，尤有甚者，台灣受到日本文化薰染，柔道根深蒂固，故以逆向思考方式轉而向海外推展『常門』武藝。當時，李小龍式電影方興，海外一片中國功夫熱潮，反觀台灣境內派系分立，公文繁瑣，武學之推展牛步不前。但機緣巧合，反倒因此使『常門武學』、『保定快跤』提早介紹至海外，大大提升其深度與廣度。台灣境內幸而在多位師叔前輩如朱玉龍、林奉文、張光明、郭慎、蘇成、吳正民、郭憲衡等多方奔走努力之下，既海外『常門摔角組織』成立之後，相繼在台灣成立了各級的摔角委員會和協會，使中國『保定快跤』之發展，從此有了重心與著力點。
先祖父逝世至今凡一十五載，台灣境內之各級社團，皆一秉常大師生前訓示，將『保定快跤』—常門武藝推展開來，除不定期辦理各級教練、裁判講習之外，特別是當年由先祖父所開辦迄今之台灣省運動會摔角比賽項目從未停止。而筆者也秉持先祖父的遺訓，將『保定快跤』常門武學悠久優美的技藝介紹給世界所有愛好者，並多次遠赴中國大陸及歐洲各處舉辦上百場各式研討會、講習會、示範觀摩等活動，近年來更成立世界常門保定快跤之專屬網站http: //www.changshuaichiao.com，而為求慎重『常門摔跤』Changshuaichiao TM也已經在美國完成國際商標名稱專利登記。網站中，除了介紹台灣境內之各類摔角活動，並與世界各地不同武術派別，進行聯誼、接軌及結盟，也將陸續發表先祖父生前居家生活及公開場合的珍貴紀念照片，以享讀者。為了滿足世界各地廣大的武術愛好者，在網站內容之中，針對『常門武藝』進行三個月為一期的動作技術示範，內容圖文並茂，藉由網路傳輸，達到遠程教學之效果。以上種種，皆為實現先祖父之心願，透過各種直接、間接管道，使世人【認識並從而喜愛『常門武藝』—『保定快跤』，相信這是任何身為常門入室弟子都應盡的一份心力。唯美中不足的是，先祖父當年遠赴海外所創立的摔角組織，多年來因架構不健全，立場不明確，推展速度緩慢，其他相關團體也對其缺乏認同感，迄今已刻不容緩需重新整合，這是海內外所有常門一致的心願，也是為了持續完成先祖父弘揚摔跤於全世界的遺志，絕不可因個人的偏廢，而違反常大師當年苦心孤詣，遠赴海外推展的心意。
先祖父當年在台灣推展『保定快跤』，無論深度、廣度皆極可觀，可謂桃李滿天下。就筆者所知現存先祖父之學生當中，以八十四歲王老先生年紀最長，是當年先祖父在植物園最早的一批學生，迄今每星期六早晨，台北縣摔角協會在植物園練習時，王老先生還時常帶著自種的紅薯來關心筆者，當彼憶及當年先祖父之種種，常常感傷落淚，但也欣見境內摔角界代有年輕新血輪，『保定快跤』後繼可成。
今筆者特僅就本身所接觸最多，最深的數位師叔師伯略做介紹，並可從中一窺先祖父的身影。一般而言，筆者對於先祖父在台灣所收的弟子、學生為表尊重，皆稱為 某師叔、某叔叔，而僅只在社團、講習會中私淑者則概稱其職銜如某老師、某教官，對於先祖父在大陸所收的學生則稱為師伯。
先祖父在大陸南京五台山時，所收的學生有湛金濤、姚長明、楊忠孝、張俊等，這幾位長輩當年也追隨老師來到台灣，其他還有趙鼎鴻、吳必俊等，但以前面四位得先祖父之真傳。湛師伯金濤上把環肘、揣為其拿手動作，姚師伯長明動作老練、黏性十足，可主動伸出一腿讓對手抱牢，但最後還是以滾腿蹩反摔。楊師伯忠孝擅長下把、得合、撿腿，因身材適中勻稱、重心低、轉腰跪猛，下把少有人敵。張師伯俊身高腿長，善於用踢。其中張、楊兩位師伯皆是穆斯林，湛師伯金濤，於多年前過世，張師伯俊早失音訊，姚師伯長明與楊師伯忠孝則常常聯繫，至今已是七十多歲之長者了。
先祖父對學生必定視不同條件、資質，因材施教，絕不勉強，對於體裁身型特殊者也會代覓良師。如姚長明、楊忠孝兩位師伯，在南京時就曾分別受教於先祖父的三弟東坡、四弟東起。
先祖父來台後，用心耕耘最深的就是中央警官學校，近三十餘載時光，作育英才無數，其中朱師叔玉龍，於一九五七年考入警官學校，從此追隨先祖父，其時，筆者尚未出世，朱師叔是看著筆者長大的長輩。朱師叔與先祖父同為何北省人士，有同鄉之情誼，而朱師叔在校時，英俊挺拔，玉樹臨風；但外表雖俊秀，比賽起來卻如出閘猛虎，像拼命三郎一般，剽悍頑強，這點很受先祖父欣賞，其後朱師叔因表現優異而長年跟隨先祖父學習摔跤技藝，而後舉辦全國性摔角比賽，屢任要職，曾是最年輕的裁判員、審判委員，特別是比賽規則與裁判手冊之修訂，做了最重要的貢獻。
朱師叔自先祖父逝世後，接下了在警界傳承的重任，數十年來舉辦過上百次的各級比賽、講習會，多次容任裁判長之職。先祖父自赴海外推展後，最擔心的就是台灣境內摔跤日漸凋零，後繼無人，所幸朱師叔在其摔跤教官的崗位上，以其豐沛的學識素養，研究中國五大摔跤系統（保定、天津、北平、蒙古、山西）、中國歷代摔跤源流考證、近代中國摔跤史、摔跤等階評審暨授帶辦法、比賽規則及裁判手冊之訂定等，奠定推動海內外各項摔跤的發展，二○○二年的年初，以三線二星警監（簡任官）教官暨技術教授的地位榮退，而在退休後一個月內舉辦了歷年來規模最大的級、B級兩項裁判講習會。其生平摔跤之總集成『美哉—中國摔角』巨著和『警用逮捕術』等二本書也行將付梓，而筆者也有幸參與其中，略盡心力。
筆者至今還記得先祖父曾多次提及，雖然同門習藝，但不可造次，每一位師叔皆有其獨到之處。不一定最強的就是最好的，最好的不一定是懂得最多的，懂得最多的卻不一定懂得全面，懂得全面有時也比不上懂得透徹；而最強的通常運動生命最短，瞭解的知識也最有限。這是因為要增加強度，必定要反覆重複練習，因此結果往往是加長訓練時間，減少學習內容，這是塑造一般比賽選手的標準方式。
先祖父很早就以非常嚴肅的態度問過筆者：「是要當個場上的英雄，還是默默的傳承者？」筆者的回答是：「這世界上，中國摔跤的領域裡已經出現了，也證明了一個永恆的英雄—常東昇，那麼還需要或還可能再出現另一個常東昇嗎？而且，中國武術是一門藝術，是博大精深的學問，不是腿長就能跑得快，人高就跳得遠的機械式物理性原理，而是要系統分明，要組織架構嚴謹，要如網狀一般結合，要醞釀、要發酵，不能靠一招半式闖江湖，爺爺年紀大了，與我差了一個世代，等我上場揚威時，恐怕已經來不及仔細學習這如瀚海般的武學。生吞活剝，沒有細細咀嚼，絕對無法消化的，就算真出名了又如何？不過是個小小的台灣區運動會的冠軍。而世界之門、知識的寶庫正等著我來開啟。」
先祖父一生治學，教學極嚴，桃李滿天下，其一身武藝集眾家之長，得來不易；外界或有常大師不輕易教人的誤解，特別是『保定快跤』。實是因為其內容太過豐富龐大，非一年半載可窺其全貌，尤其當年中國屢經戰亂，人心疲憊，待平靜安頓下來，已錯過黃金時期。
先祖父終其一生，為推展摔跤、保存摔跤而努力，做事情永遠是一步一腳印，立定目標勇往直前，從不做遙不可及的夢想，當年他遠赴海外介紹摔跤，是希望人人喜愛摔跤這個博大精深的武學文化，他希望每個人因喜愛保定快跤而著迷，而不是如偶像崇拜般去顯揚他自己，因為一代武術大師常東昇早已有其歷史定位。唯有敞開心胸，擁抱世界，才能真正實踐先祖父的心願，屆時將不難發現，頭頂上的一片天空是何其廣闊無邊。
世界常門武術聯盟 執行長
常達偉
Posted by: iwalkthecircle Nov 8 2007, 11:06 PM
常東昇（1908－1986），字漫天（後改為曼天），河北保定將軍廟街人。回族。出身摔跤世家，九歲開始就跟著父親常蘭亭練習摔跤基本功，接受極為嚴格的身體訓練，十二歲時對摔跤的各種基本動作已精通自如，便拜在摔跤高手張鳳岩先生門下（註一），接受張先生的指導和訓練。到十六歲時，已練成一幅強健多力而又靈活敏捷的體格，掌握了摔跤基本技巧和許多跤絆，成為保定摔跤場上一位引人矚目的少年英雄。常氏兄弟四人個個強健能摔，老大東如，東昇居行二，老三東坡，老四東起，後來都是赫赫有名的摔跤能手，有『常家四虎』之號，大哥東如的天分最高，可惜英年早逝；而以常東昇實力最強，成就最高。
常東昇從十七歲就開始他『徒手天涯』的摔跤家征程。
這一年，保定南鄉的小富村舉行摔跤比賽，保定四鄉的摔跤好手無不踴躍參加。小富村的李老吉實力很強，實際是南鄉摔跤擂臺的主將。常東昇上場頭一輪就遇上李老吉。比賽規距是三跤兩勝，常連勝李老吉兩跤，一跤用的是「撿腿」，一跤用的是「麻花掰」。接下來又勝了另一名高手李老春，也是連勝兩跤，第二跤用的是屬於活步跤中的撕崩捅系列的「搖扯踢」（註二），這是常東昇的拿手戲。這下子，這位初出茅廬的英雄，如猛虎下山崗，精神抖擻，一連嬴了好幾場，最後以一場不敗的記錄穩拿了第一名，『常東昇』三個字也就在保定一帶傳揚開來。
不久，民國十七年（1928）二月二十三日，保定北鄉曹河鎮舉行摔跤比賽，外號『黑塔』的當地名手王世文是曹河鎮的首席跤手。常東昇一行數十人趕到曹河，同行的有前輩閻景春、於老俊、吳老慶、白運章（註三）、安義德等；師兄弟有石乃堂、閻善益、劉靜波、尹世傑、張景泉、米有祥、金月波、馬文奎、安松泉、安壽山、馬耀先、馬朝棟等，都是張鳳岩麾下的精兵強將，聲勢頗壯。這是一次對抗賽，雙方仔細研究了比賽程式，確定由常東昇與王世文對壘。一場真正的龍虎之爭開始了。王世文人高馬大，但對常卻很謹慎。一上手，他用「上把蹩子」進攻，被常一個「裏蹩子」摔倒，跌得很重。第二跤又被常摔出去，倒在地上五六分鐘才起來，王世文地分沮喪地敗下陣來。接下來，對方又舉出劉慶、楊得山兩位跤手，也都敗在常的跤絆之下。曹河鎮一戰後，常東昇的名聲就更大了。
張鳳岩先生非常喜歡這位身手不凡的弟子，但總是提醒他要小心臨陣，凡有比賽，一定要有充分準備，要有必勝把握，『不勝不摔』（先求不敗而後能勝），不然就不摔，那怕甘拜下風都行（註四）。東昇牢牢記住老師這些話，從此更加努力練功。早晨六點，到城外空地上練習各種輔助器材和摔、跌的淩空動作；中午在老師的場子裏跟著老師和師兄們一起練跤，晚上在家練習。每逢一、三、五聽老師講解和示範動作，老師最看重這位既聰明又勤奮的弟子，時常還會單獨傳授些要訣和臨場經驗。【張老師看中常東昇是個可以傳承他的跤場絕活的難得人材，便托人向常家提親，願意將二女兒張少芝許配給東昇，因張老師膝下無兒男，要東昇做倒插門女婿，撐持門戶。常家非常敬重張老師的品德功夫，欣然領受了這份深情厚義。從此，張老師更加全心全意培養東昇，東昇終於得到張氏保定快跤摔法的真傳。常張姻緣是我國百年摔跤史上最讓人津津樂道的一段佳話。】－此段乃是傳聞並非事實（註五）
明朝中葉到民國初（註六），保定是我國北方摔跤運動的中心地之一，跤場林立，人材輩出，風氣之盛，居天下之冠。至清朝中葉時期，老一輩的代表人物有平敬一、張鳳岩、白俊峰、顧瑞年、滿老明、石老俊、安老華、吳四等；民國年間代表人物有常家四虎、石乃堂、劉靜波、閻善益、馬文奎等。五、六十年代也湧現了一批名手，其中以楊子明、王恩信、張建中、申金剛成績最突出。常東昇是保定跤承前啟後的代表人物，也是一個技術全面、品德出眾的中國式摔跤頂級人物。在技術上，無疑地他得益於張鳳岩的精心培養。張鳳岩在保定摔跤界德高望重，他不但設場子教徒弟，頗有收益，而且還開著醬園和飯莊，家境比較富裕，這對從事摔跤運動非常重要，太窮了，吃不好，便沒法練摔跤。他培養常東昇，除了正常的基本功訓練外，還要他拉醬園裏一人多高的大風箱，藉以提高腰背和腹肌的力量；另外，還要常每天站在大醬缸上用大棍子攪拌黃豆醬。這些都是一般跤場所沒有的訓練手段，是張老師就地取材的巧妙辦法，它的作用是顯而易見的。張鳳岩非常重視實摔訓練，經常帶著常東昇等一幫弟子出門去參加比賽，足跡遍佈華北大地，包括摔跤非常興盛的蒙古草原，多次與蒙古跤手舉行對抗賽。常東昇充分發揮保定跤的特長，重技巧，輕蠻力，跤法精細，架勢漂亮，常常以輕捷精巧取勝，在上百次的比賽中，他保持常勝不敗的記錄，於是早就有了『常勝將軍』、『跤王』等美名。
少年英發的常東昇，早就名揚天下。民國二十一年（1932），經馬良推薦，只有二十二歲的常東昇受聘出任中央國術館首席摔跤教師。當時，張之江先生所宣導的『國術』，包括了中國式摔跤等多項民族體育專案，許多武術家，如曾在中央國林館執教的王子平、佟忠義、馬英圖、馬裕甫等先生，都是武術、摔跤兼而擅之，而年輕一輩的摔跤教師如常東昇、楊法武、馬文奎等，也都能練武術，武術與摔跤的結合正體現了民族傳統體育一大特點。常東昇在國術館執教凡五年，不但培養了許多摔跤人才，而且在繼承和總結傳統訓練方法的基礎上，大膽實踐，潛心探求，創造出不少新的訓練手段，使民族摔跤從選材、訓練到競技，都形成一套更加完備嚴密的教程，理論水準大為提高。可以說，在張之江的『國術』體系裏，民族式摔跤發育得最飽滿最成熟，最具備一個現代體育項目所應有的特點，這固然與摔跤本身的歷史經歷等諸多因素分不開，但當時中央國術館的總結提高也是一個重要原因，毫無疑問，這裏面有常東昇的一份功勞。
抗戰軍興，常東昇勇赴國難，先後在第七、第八師和第四、第五路軍任中校體育教官，陸軍軍官學校中校體育教官，傘兵總隊上校體育校官等職。到處積極推廣和普及摔跤，培養了大批人才。當時，拘押在廣西的日本戰俘中有幾個柔道高手，曾公開以柔道向中國人挑戰，氣焰張狂，號稱『打遍中國無對手』。常東昇聞訊後單人前往應戰，憑著他超絕的技巧和一片愛國之心，接連將日俘柔道尖子北義熊、道正夫二人摔倒在地，其他日俘面面相，沒有那個敢再挑戰。北義熊等對常東昇的功夫佩服得五體投地，從此再也不提比賽了（註七）。這是抗戰中一個非常著名的故事。抗戰勝利後，他調任中央訓練團上校體育教官，曾在業餘時間擔任南京五台山之夫子廟的民間自強摔跤社社長，經常親自帶領學員練習摔跤，為南京和江蘇省的摔跤培養了一批人才。
常東昇是舊中國多次全運會的摔跤冠軍獲得者。1933年在南京舉行的五運會上，摔跤是個熱門項目，報名人數多達數百人，常東昇一路斬關破將，輕而易舉奪得冠軍（中量級）桂冠。1948年5月在上海舉行的第七運會上，他代表陸軍參賽，奪得中丙級冠軍，他的弟弟常東起也獲得中乙級冠軍。
1949年常東昇遷居臺灣，後轉到警界工作凡三十多年。在臺灣，他不論在什麼部門，在什麼地方，都滿腔熱心地提倡和傳播摔跤。他先後在警官學校、臺北大學、政治大學、文化大學、建國中學等學校兼任國術教師，風雨無阻地傳播武術和摔跤，受業者多達萬人。1975年退休後，仍積極致力於推廣的發展中國式摔跤，特別熱衷於在世界各地宣傳中國功夫，傳授中國摔跤。他先後應邀去香港、新加坡、西德、瑞典、墨西哥、美國等國講學和表演。他在世界各地享有崇高的聲望，經常成為新聞媒體追蹤的對象，見過他表演的外國朋友，無不為他強健灑脫的體魄和氣質所折服，人們從他的身上領略到了真正的中國功夫的魅力，也看到了一個真正的中國武術大師深厚的學養和謙敬儒雅的儀態。1975年他應摩洛哥國王海珊的邀請，前去表演中國功夫。常先生以65歲高齡與王國衛隊的衛士比試，衛士是柔道和空手道高手，又年輕氣盛，頻頻主動出擊，不想始終採取守勢的常乘勢一個雙推掌，那衛士一個屁股墩坐在地上。第二次交手，衛士剛剛拉開勢子，立站未隱，就被常一個『抹脖踢、返裏靠踢』（註八），將衛士淩空踢翻。頓時，掌聲騰起，國王和大臣們為常先生的精彩表演大加讚賞。晚宴上，國王親自將一柄鑲有寶古的佩刀贈給常先生，這是阿拉伯人給予武士的最高榮譽。
1983年，年逾古稀的常先生應邀赴美三藩市參加中國功夫表演大會，他多次為華僑和美國觀眾表演太極拳和摔跤技術，每次表演都引起轟動。為促進中國式摔跤的發展，他的學生在美國成立了世界中國摔跤協會，一致選他擔任名譽會長。這個協會在美國東、西、南和中部都已建立了分會。如今中國摔跤已被俄亥俄州立大學體育系作為選修課程，計二個學分。常先生在有生之年不遺餘力地為宣揚和推廣中國摔跤而奔走，表現了這位體壇鉅子對民族傳統體育文化的真知和深愛。他堅信，只要國家重視，中國摔跤總有一天會像日本的柔道，韓國的駘拳道一樣，堂而皇之地走進奧運會的神聖殿堂！
常先生一生從事中國摔跤的教學和研究，歷時五十多年，成就卓著，德業恢宏。他技藝絕倫而為人正直謙和，不保守，不搞神秘玄虛，坦誠待人，既使是對手，也總能親近相處，毫無驕得之色。他具有一個傳統武人，或者說是民族體育家的優秀品質，他是上一個時代所造就的『國術家』的代表人物，在中國民族體育史上一定會佔據崇高的位置。
常先生以一生心血所汲汲弘揚的中國摔跤，『文革』中經歷了極左思潮的浸蝕和打擊，又長期遭受對民族文化庸淺無知者的漠視和鄙夷，目前只能在民間自生自滅，處境淒涼，不絕如線。聊以欣慰的是，中國摔跤在世界許多地方正受到青睞，擁有了越來越多的愛好者。80年代的中期就在義大利首先舉辦了國際邀請賽（註九）；90年代初，法國就舉辦了中國摔跤錦標賽，在美國、德國、西班牙、義大利、瑞士、波蘭等國都成立了中國摔跤協會。據說近年來發展勢頭不錯，會員國已有增加，世界性的錦標賽漸成規模。
有關於大陸常大師東昇生平一文，本人有以下諸次之說明與澄清：
註1：張鳳岩大師很早即參與國父 孫中山興中會活動，雖生於清末，但很早就理平頭而不留辮子，我祖母三姊妹也全無裹小腳，並且張大師很早就讓子女接受西方教育（小學校而非私塾），故絕非清廷『布庫』出身。
註1-1：先祖父之大哥東如（小名常山，祖父為常海，老三常江，老四常河）是他畢生最欽佩之人，因其天分最好，悟性最高，可惜在上個世紀初期的中國北方大瘟疫中過世（約A.D1906～1914）。
註2：『搖扯踢』是「撕崩捅活步跤」系統的動作，『搖』是搖臂，『扯』在順把螺旋中是「拔肩」，而逆把螺旋中是「左右撕門」；是以手法為主導的摔法。
註3：白運章，其小哥白俊峰，為摔角好友，前者後在保定府馬號（現擴建為商場）經營包子店，為對摔跤出錢出力之人。
註4：所謂『不勝不摔』應該是指平家師一系之武術精神，『先求不敗而後能勝』。
註5：外傳回族保定快跤系統有入贅倒義門之說，絕無此事，不知當初引用者為何居心，張大師之妻子姓尹，故與平氏無姻親關係；先祖母姓張，祖父姓常，祖父之母親姓平（平宗師姪親戚）都從未改姓過，我祖母之身分證上甚至是冠上夫姓的。至於稱張大師無子嗣也是不實之事，先祖母的哥哥叫做張效蘇，喜愛劍術、吐納、太極等養生術，精書畫，擅長種花、養鳥，不喜歡太過於激烈的摔角，故名為效蘇（效法蘇東坡），身後生有二子，其中一人為回教阿匐（教長，可結婚）。
註6：保定跤自古即有，絕非是所謂明朝蒙古二兄弟傳入，保定一直以來為兵家重地，古稱保陽，有宋以降即是屯兵幕府之地，各路武術高手雲集，所謂蒙古兄弟（後改姓平），應與馬長春有傳承關係，與平敬一宗師（平在保定為大姓）無關，所謂回民分為二類，一種是內地漢人，因為婚姻或工作等原因接受信奉回教，稱為回民；一種是宗族祖上明確來自塞外境域之哈薩克、維吾爾族，百代以來根骨之中就是『穆斯林』，這類稱為回族。而平家、常家是為『維吾爾族』一系，張家是『哈薩克族』系統。有關祖籍源流這點可不容以訛傳訛了。
註7：八年抗戰時期，祖父從軍後因地利之便，在南京五台山夫子廟前，雲石草花亭旁大柏樹下，曾傳授過摔角術，收弟子之事略在前文常東昇宗師事略知中已有敘述。
註8：有關常大師赴摩洛哥表演之事相當精采（原由是哈珊國王生日），但與該文所描寫不盡相同，容後專文敘述。
註9：近十幾年來，世界所舉辦的國際摔跤賽事，因先祖父赴海外推展最早，故以常門子弟之摔角活動最為頻繁，大陸方面可能是因為法國袁祖謀為上海人事（受學摔角於天津），故多所報導，其實在美國，特別是在義大利，乃是由歐洲區總會長安東尼奧‧蘭吉諾領導下，早就在八十年代中期至今就已經辦過六次世界性的國際摔角大賽，而在歐洲區也舉辦了十次的大型摔角比賽。安東尼奧後拜在本人門下為入室弟子，為表至高之尊敬，在肩膀上分別刺青上先祖父及本人之姓名，以表一肩擔起發揚保定快跤之決心與使命。
世界常門摔角武術聯盟執行長
常達偉 2005.03.18
Posted by: iwalkthecircle Nov 8 2007, 11:07 PM
常東昇摔跤故事
一代跤王常東昇
常東昇（1910－1986），字曼天，河北保定人。回族。出身摔跤世家，九歲開始就跟著父親常蘭亭練習摔跤基本功，接受極為嚴格的身體訓練，十二歲時對摔跤的各種基本動作已精通自如，便拜在清廷“布庫”出身的摔跤高手張鳳岩先生門下，接受張先生的指導和訓練。到十六歲時，已練成一幅強健多力而又靈活敏捷的體格，掌握了摔跤基本技巧和許多跤絆，成為保定摔跤場上一位引人矚目的少年英雄。常氏兄弟四人個個強健能摔，老大東如，東昇居行二，老三東坡，老四東起，後來都是赫赫有名的摔跤能手，有“常家四虎”之號，但其中以常東昇實力最強，成就最高。
常東昇從十七歲就開始他“徒手天涯”的摔跤家征程。
這一年，保定南鄉的小富村舉行摔跤比賽，保定四鄉的摔跤好手無不踴躍參加。小富村的李老吉實力很強，實際是南鄉摔跤擂台的主將。常東昇上場頭一輪就遇上李老吉。比賽規距是三跤兩勝，常連勝李老吉兩跤，一跤用的是“檢腿”，一跤用的是“麻花擺”。接下來又勝了另一名高手李老春，也是連勝兩跤，第二跤用的“搖扯踢”，這是常的拿手戲。這下子，這位初出茅廬的英雄，如猛虎下山崗，精神抖擻，一連嬴了好幾場，最後以一場不敗的記錄穩拿了第一名，“常東昇”三個字也就在保定一帶傳揚開來。
不久，民國十七年（1928）二月二十三日，保定北鄉曹河鎮舉行摔跤比賽，外號“黑塔”的當地名手王世文是曹河鎮的首席跤手。常東昇一行數十人趕到曹河，同行的有前輩閻景春、於老俊、吳老慶、白選章、安義德等﹔師兄弟有石乃堂、閻善益、劉靜波、尹世杰、張景泉、米有祥、金月波、馬文奎、安鬆泉、安壽山、馬耀先、馬朝棟等，都是張鳳岩麾下的精兵強將，聲勢頗壯。這是一次對抗賽，雙方仔細研究了比賽程序，確定由常東昇與王世文對壘。一場真正的龍虎之爭開始了。王世文人高馬大，但對常卻很謹慎。一上手，他用“上把蹩子”進攻，被常一個“裡蹩子”摔倒，跌得很重。第二跤又被常摔出去，倒在地上五六分鐘才起來，王世文地分沮喪地敗下陣來。接下來，對方又舉出劉慶、楊得山兩位跤手，也都敗在常的跤絆之下。曹河鎮一戰後，常東昇的名聲就更大了。
張鳳岩先生非常喜歡這位身手不凡的弟子，但總是提醒他要小心臨陣，凡有比賽，一定要有充分准備，要有必勝把握，“不勝不摔”，不然就不摔，那怕甘拜下風都行。東昇牢牢記住老師這些話，從此更加努力練功。早晨六點，到城外空地上練習各種輔助器材和摔、跌的凌空動作﹔中午在老師的場子裡跟著老師和師兄們一起練跤，晚上在家練習。每逢一、三、五聽老師講解和示范動作，老師最看重這位既聰明又勤奮的弟子，時常還會單獨傳授些要訣和臨場經驗。張老師看中常東昇是個可以傳承他的跤場絕活的難得人材，便托人向常家提親，願意將二女兒張少芝許配給東昇，因張老師膝下無兒男，要東昇做倒插門女婿，撐持門戶。常家非常敬重張老師的品德功夫，欣然領受了這份深情厚義。從此，張老師更加全心全意培養東昇，東昇終於得到張氏保定快跤摔法的真傳。常張姻緣是我國百年摔跤史上最讓人津津樂道的一段佳話。
清末到民國初，保定是我國北方摔跤運動的中心地之一，跤場林立，人材輩出，風氣之盛，居天下之冠。老一輩的代表人物有平敬一、張鳳岩、白俊峰、顧瑞年、滿老明、石老俊、安老華、吳四等﹔民國年間代表人物有常家四虎、石乃堂、劉靜波、閻善益、馬文奎等。五、六十年代也涌現了一批名手，其中以楊子明、王恩信、張建中、申金剛成績最突出。常東昇是保定跤承前啟後的代表人物，也是一個技術全面、品德出眾的中國式摔跤頂級人物。在技術上，無疑地他得益於張鳳岩的精心培養。張鳳岩在保定摔跤界德高望重，他不但設場子教徒弟，頗有收益，而且還開著醬園和飯庄，家境比較富裕，這對從事摔跤運動非常重要，太窮了，吃不好，便沒法練摔跤。他培養常東昇，除了正常的基本功訓紙外，還要他拉醬園裡一人多高的大風箱，借以提高腰背和腹肌的力量﹔另外，還要常每天站在大醬缸上用大棍子攪拌黃豆醬。這些都是一般跤場所沒有的訓練手段，是張老師就地取材的巧妙辦法，它的作用是顯而易見的。張鳳岩非常重視實摔訓練，經常帶著常東昇等一幫弟子出門去參加比賽，足跡遍布華北大地，包括摔跤非常興盛的蒙古草原，多次與蒙古跤手舉行對抗賽。常東昇充分發揮保定跤的特長，重技巧，輕蠻力，跤法精細，架勢漂亮，常常以輕捷精巧取勝，在上百次的比賽中，他保持常勝不敗的記錄，於是早就有了“常勝將軍”、“跤王”等美名。
少年英發的常東昇，早就名揚天下。民國二十一年（1932），經馬良推薦，隻有二十二歲的常東昇受聘出任中央國術館首席摔跤教師。當時，張之江先生所倡導的“國術”，包括了中國式摔跤等多項民族體育項目，許多武術家，如曾在中央國林館執教的王子平、佟忠義、馬英圖、馬裕甫等先生，都是武術、摔跤兼而擅之，而年輕一輩的摔跤教師如常東昇、楊法武、馬文奎等，也都能練武術，武術與摔跤的結合正體現了民族傳統體育一大特點。常東昇在國術館執教凡五年，不但培養了許多摔跤人才，而且在繼承和總結傳統訓練方法的基礎上，大膽實踐，潛心探求，創造出不少新的訓練手段，使民族摔跤從選材、訓練到競技，都形成一套更加完備嚴密的教程，理論水平大為提高。可以說，在張之江的“國術” 體系裡，民族式摔跤發育得最飽滿最成熟，最具備一個現代體育項目所應有的特點，這固然與摔跤本身的歷史經歷等諸多因素分不開，但當時中央國術館的總結提高也是一個重要原因，毫無疑問，這裡面有常東昇的一份功勞。
抗戰軍興，常東昇勇赴國難，先後在第七、第八師和第四、第五路軍任中校體育教官，陸軍軍官學校中校體育教官，傘兵總隊上校體育校官等職。到處積極推廣和普及摔跤，培養了大批人才。當時，拘押在廣西的日本戰俘中有幾個柔道高手，曾公開以柔道向中國人挑戰，氣焰張狂，號稱“打遍中國無對手”。常東昇聞訊後單人前往應戰，憑著他超絕的技巧和一片愛國之心，接連將日俘柔道尖子北義熊、道正夫二人摔倒在地，其它日俘面面相，沒有那個敢再挑戰。北義熊等對常的功夫佩服得五體投地，從此再也不提比賽了。這是抗戰中一個非常著名的故事。抗戰勝利後，他調任中央訓練團上校體育教官，曾在業余時間擔任南京民間自強摔跤社社長，經常親自帶領學員練習摔跤，為南京和江蘇省的摔跤培養了一批人才。
常東昇是舊中國多次全運會的摔跤冠軍獲得者。1933年在南京舉行的五運會上，摔跤是個熱門項目，報名人數多達數百人，常東昇一路斬關破將，輕而易舉奪得冠軍（中量級）桂冠。1948年5月在上海舉行的第七運會上，他代表陸軍參賽，奪得中丙級冠軍，他的弟弟常東起也獲得中乙級冠軍。
1949 年常東昇遷居台灣，後轉到警界工作凡三十多年。在台灣，他不論在什麼部門，在什麼地方，都滿腔熱心地提倡和傳播摔跤。他先後在警官學校、台北大學、政治大學、文化大學、建國中學等學校兼任國術教師，風雨無阻地傳播武術和摔跤，受業者多達萬人。1975年退休後，仍積極致力於推廣的發展中國式摔跤，特別熱衷於在世界各地宣傳中國功夫，傳授中國摔跤。他先後應邀去香港、新加坡、西德、瑞典、墨西哥、美國等國講學和表演。他在世界各地享有崇高的聲望，經常成為新聞媒體追蹤的對象，見過他表演的外國朋友，無不為他強健洒脫的體魄和氣質所折服，人們從他的身上領略到了真正的中國功夫的魅力，也看到了一個真正的中國武術大師深厚的學養和謙敬儒雅的儀態。1975年他應摩洛哥國王海珊的邀請，前去表演中國功夫。常先生以65歲高齡與王國衛隊的衛士比試，衛士是柔道和空手道高手，又年輕氣盛，頻頻主動出擊，不想始終採取守勢的常乘勢一個雙推掌，那衛士一個屁股墩坐在地上。第二次交手，衛士剛剛拉開勢子，立站未隱，就被常一個“抹脖朴腳”，將衛士凌空踢翻。頓時，掌聲騰起，國王和大臣們為常先生的精彩表演大加贊賞。晚宴上，國王親自將一柄鑲有寶古的佩刀贈給常先生，這是阿拉伯人給予武士的最高榮譽。
1983年，年逾古稀的常先生應邀赴美三藩市參加中國功夫表演大會，他多次為華僑和美國觀眾表演太極拳和摔跤技術，每次表演都引起轟動。為促進中國式摔跤的發展，他的學生在美國成立了世界中國摔跤協會，一致選他擔任名譽會長。這個協會在美國東、西、南和中部都已建立了分會。如今中國摔跤已被俄亥俄州立大學體育系作為選修課程，計二個學分。常先生在有生之年不遺余力地為宣揚和推廣中國摔跤而奔走，表現了這位體壇巨子對民族傳統體育文化的真知和深愛。他堅信，隻要國家重視，中國摔跤總有一天會像日本的柔道，韓國的駘拳道一樣，堂而皇之地走進奧運會的神聖殿堂！
常先生一生從事中國摔跤的教學和研究，歷時五十多年，成就卓著，德業恢宏。他技藝絕倫而為人正直謙和，不保守，不搞神秘玄虛，坦誠待人，既使是對手，也總能親近相處，毫無驕得之色。他具有一個傳統武人，或者說是民族體育家的優秀品質，他是上一個時代所造就的“國術家”的代表人物，在中國民族體育史上一定會佔據崇高的位置。
常先生以一生心血所汲汲弘揚的中國摔跤，“文革”中經歷了極左思潮的浸蝕和打擊，又長期遭受對民族文化庸淺無知者的漠視和鄙夷，目前隻能在民間自生自滅，處境淒涼，不絕如線。聊以欣慰的是，中國摔跤在世界許多地方正受到青睞，擁有了越來越多的愛好者。早在90年代初，法國就舉辦了中國摔跤錦標賽，在美國、德國、西班牙、意大利、瑞士、波蘭等國都成立了中國摔跤協會。據說近年來發展勢頭不錯，會員國已有增加，世界性的錦標賽漸成規模。這是一個諷刺，一個令人無法理解的悖謬現象，與官辦武術存在的一系列悖謬現象如出一輒。記得早在1992的就有人寫過題為《中國式摔跤的兩種命運》的文章，呼吁主管部門及早注意摔跤的命運，警惕它在世界上可能被“雜交”而導致“變種”的危險性。快十年了，不曾聽到對這一呼吁的任何回應，作為一個老體育工作者，作為民族體育的愛好者，我們真覺得輾轉反側，不能安枕。再想到常東昇先生直到臨終前還在以“推廣摔跤，任重道遠”的字幅贈送給弟子張光明的情景時，更加令人悲從中來。我們真誠地為中國摔跤祈福，盼望著這份極其珍貴的民族體育遺產能世世代代傳存下去，盼望它終有一天能重振雄偉，代表著中華民族走上世界體育的競技場，隻有這樣才能告慰常先生的在天之靈。
天橋的摔跤
一九二二年前後，北京天橋一帶出現以盈利為目的的職業摔跤場。
張狗子、沈三、滿寶珍等都是當時有名的跤手。這些跤手有的是清廷的扑戶，清帝遜位後就來到天橋靠摔跤為生。跤手在摔跤上場時必須慷慨陳詞以招徠觀眾，表演結束後要錢時也要說上一段漂亮話。內行稱這種人為說買賣的。既是為了謀生，摔跤雙方都是真真假假，配合默契。一般開始是認真比拼的，待三五回合之後，觀眾漸多准備收錢時，就耍花架子了，目的是摔得漂亮，以取悅觀眾，才好收錢。摔跤是中國武術中實戰性很強的技術，六十年代，出身中央國術館的常東升就到美國推廣摔跤。原中央國術館少林門門長王子平亦高度評價摔跤，將之比喻為「風絞雪」，形容它像寒冬臘月，北風呼嘯，再加上卷起陣陣夾帶冰雹的雪浪，迎面劈來，以示其凶猛險惡。
保定快跤傳海外－－常東升
“摔跤大王”常東升以保定快跤著稱。他採用大架式，輕視用蠻力，擅長用“撕”、“崩”、“捅”等方法摔倒對手，長於以小制大，尤精於“得合”、“麻花掰”等絕技。沾衣即跌，其動作干脆利落，速度快，摔遍大江南北無敵手，被譽為“快跤花蝴蝶”。
常東升祖籍河北省保定，字曼天，七、八歲開始習武，十歲正式拜保定快跤宗派大師張鳳岩門下，張鳳岩認定常東升是摔跤奇材，授予真傳並被張招贅。他有兄弟四人，被譽為常家四虎：老大常東升、老二常東起、老三常東坡、老四常東福，都身懷摔跤絕技。
常東升畢業於南京中央國術館，歷任軍隊的武術教官、摔跤社社長、國術館摔跤教官，1947年在上海舉辦的第七屆全國運動會上獲摔跤中量級冠軍，後來也在學校裡教授摔跤。得意弟子有後來去台灣的翁啟修、黃正男、林起愷等人。
常東升的技藝超群，其摔法對擂台賽有莫大的影響，競賽中他選用的摔打踢拿的連環招式所向披靡，在國際擂台賽中，他的台灣弟子的摔法神乎其技，飲譽海內外摔壇。他於1975年退休後，受摩洛哥國王之邀前往訪問，在金鑾殿前與皇室武士相較，技壓群雄，獲國王頒贈一柄代表最高榮譽的寶劍。1976年在新加坡舉辦第四屆東南亞國術擂台賽時，常東升應邀前往獻藝，身手矯健，雄風不減當年。爾後，常東升來往於美國的芝加哥、紐約之間義務傳授跤藝，在他的影響下，紐約成立了世界摔跤總會，使古老的中國跤術，得以發揚光大。
常東升教授平易近人，但訓練極嚴格，著有《摔角術》一書。
中國式摔跤在美國
在海外推廣中國式摔跤，我國大陸和寶島台灣的跤界都做出了努力。說到在美國傳播跤藝，不能不提台灣的摔跤高手林起愷先生。他在美受聘，並將跤術揚威於美國，受到美國警務當局的重視，為中國式摔跤的推廣做出了貢獻。
1983 年，林先生憑藉以往刻苦練就的摔跤技術，當著美國喬治亞州全州各單位的警察訓練主管面，把中國式摔跤中摔、打、拿、點的各法奧妙，發揮得淋漓盡致，頓時技驚四座。喬治亞州警察當局隨即聘請他為摔跤教官、特殊技術人才。由於他傳授的摔跤技術十分實用，當地警察學習後在制服犯罪時效果極佳，令美國最有名望的反恐怖作戰學校（SIONICS）的高層人士對他刮目相看，隨後聘請他為學校的武術總教練。以華人的身份受到美國治安當局的如此重用，林先生可算是第一人。
年過五旬的林先生，1970年畢業於台北體育專科學校。他曾隨摔跤大師常東升先生學藝多年，並甚得器重。林先生十六歲時曾受聘警校的摔跤教官，十七歲獲得台灣省的摔跤冠軍，而且在歷次比賽中都戰勝對手。後在台灣的一些大專院校執教達十七年之久，於1981年榮獲了台灣的最佳體育教練稱號。
摔跤是我國武技中的古老自衛術，是含有進攻、防御、逆襲諸法，以技巧配合搏擊功夫徒手制人的武技，林先生同他的師父常東升一直認為，摔跤是一項既可以列入賽場的體育運動，更是一項適合警務人員職業需要的訓練科目。
中國式摔跤之所以揚威於美國治安部門，有賴於中國跤術摔、打、拿、點各種技巧的實用，也有賴於林先生繼承了跤技精華並能運用於教學之中。
林先生現在美國喬治亞州亞特蘭大，領導著“全美實戰摔跤協會”。也也是“摔跤國際聯合會”的“美洲摔跤協會”新組織的籌備負責人。他的名氣在美國警方大振，凡他有機會到芝加哥、洛杉磯等犯罪率高的城市時，當地警方必請他講座，因為，中國式摔跤極受美國警方的重視。
Posted by: iwalkthecircle Nov 8 2007, 11:07 PM
河北保定回族的中国式摔跤概況
保定回族的摔跤概況 分類：歷史介紹
俗話說：京油子、衛嘴子、保定府的鉤腿子，鉤腿子指得就是保定的摔跤。
【保定摔跤是從明朝初年傳入的，根據有關碑刻記載明建文年間，有蒙古族兄弟二人，老大布彥不花，老二布呼爾皈依伊斯蘭教，跟隨燕王朱棣南征北戰，立下汗馬功勞，朱棣稱帝后封二人為『千戶』，賜姓平，分取名毅良、毅清，並在保定平嘉胡同建造府第，就是人們後來就俗稱平家胡同。】（此段甚多是移花接木）平家二兄弟（此平家與平大師敬一家族並無任何關連，平大師敬一家族為維吾爾族塞外移入）不僅善於馬上征戰，而且精通跤術。保定當地的回族人由於人單勢孤，素有尚武之風，為了更好的防身自衛，有好多回族人便求平家兄弟傳授摔跤技術（保定摔跤並非由平家兄弟傳入，因保定自古便是兵家重地，所以摔跤本身就很盛行），於是保定的回族摔跤便由此開始。保定回族摔跤由平家兄弟傳入，又經回族諸英豪代代加工錘煉，把摔跤的技巧同拳術中的身法步法結合，逐漸形成了保定摔跤的風格，到清代名揚四方。（註一）
馬長春大敗跛士胡
1822年，清親王奕經帶領六名大內侍衛和兩名「跛士胡」（蕩語：一等摔跤手的意思）來參加保定的摔跤盛會，這兩名跛士胡不僅摔跤技藝精湛，而且力大絕倫，因為他們曾把兇猛的犛牛戰敗而得綽號「大犛牛」和「二犛牛」，又因為大犛牛曾拽著大象的鼻子將其從獸欄中扔了出去，奕經便賜他為『神力王』。
開賽後，大犛牛把直隸總督選派的摔跤高手擊敗後叫囂道：『保定不過如此！』這時保定的回族馬長春被大犛牛的嘲笑激怒，挺身而出與之較量，開始兩個人摔了三十多個來回沒分出高下，大犛牛便使出了看家的絕招—「黏沾」，而馬長春沉著應戰，結果把大犛牛扔出幾米遠，給了大犛牛一個結結實實的大馬趴，連這幾次。大犛牛多次起身後不敢上場了，伸出大拇指對馬長春說：「你的腰比那江南的柳樹還要軟，保定摔跤—這個！」從此江南柳便成了馬長春的綽號。
一代豪傑平敬一
繼馬長春之後保定武林界的第二位有影響的人物是回族人平敬一（註二），平敬一祖居保定國公街，1830左右出生，【身材高大魁梧，系馬長春的關門弟子】（其平大師的身材瘦高，並且與馬長春全然無關。），此外他還曾師從於南宮縣孟六，學習了少林功夫。1860年在「中州會館」只用五招便打敗前來與他挑戰的教師爺趙振鋒。
此後趙振鋒到處拜訪名人求高師，用三年工夫練成狐狸鞭術（九節狐尾鞭），於1863年又找到平敬一報仇，趙振鋒使用的武器是一條茶碗口般粗細、由金屬編制而成的狐狸鞭（註三），平敬一手持的是一根白蠟杆（平大師敬一用的是『纏腰布棍』，使用白蠟桿的是張大師鳳岩。），二人交手又沒幾個回合趙振鋒便被平敬一的白蠟杆抽在脊背上倒地，這也多虧平敬一手下留情，否則倘若打在趙振鋒頭上那將會是另一番景象。趙振鋒起身後跪倒在地：「平老師，我算服了你」。從此後二人成為莫逆之交。後來北京萬盛鏢局的頂樑柱鏢師找到平敬一比試，結果未過五招便被平敬一用羅漢拳打敗。
平敬一的一生行俠仗義，廣交豪傑，成為當時武術界的著名俠士，在北方頗有影響，南來北往的鏢車凡經過保定的，必在他門前百米內下車拜見。平敬一多次護送重要鏢車，打敗明火執仗的搶劫，粉碎黑店的暗算，都使鏢車順利到達目的地。山東太岳山聖華寺的玉通大師嗜好摔跤，足跡遍步全國十三省未遇對手後來到保定挑戰平敬一，兩人在鼓樓下會戰，最後也是以玉通大師失敗而告終。
因此徐哲東於1930年所著《國技論略》中稱讚平敬一『少林武功，冠爵一時』。到了晚年平敬一深感出入江湖煩事太多，不願再抛頭露面，便一心一意經營在保定清真寺旁東大坑把式場，傳授武藝。其弟子如林，著名弟子八人：張鳳岩、王福田、白俊峰、馬蔚然、尹長祿、尹殿奎、馬良，其中除了尹殿奎一人是滿族外，其餘的都是回族人。平敬一要求一起練武的人既要強筋壯骨善於自衛，不甘受辱，也要講究武德，不仗藝欺人，從此開創了保定回族武術摔跤運動的先河。
明師出高徒
平敬一的八大弟子繼承先師的遺志，把保定摔跤術發揚光大，因而在清末民初保定跤坊上湧現出很多摔跤高手，成為保定摔跤的鼎盛時期。平敬一的八個弟子個個身懷絕技。
張鳳岩，又名張洛鳳，既是平敬一的大弟子也是女婿（註四，真是太扯了，並不是女婿！！），人稱『賽鐵腿』，因為只要他用腿捲住對手一搓就能將對方的腿別斷。
【1895年保定的蕩回毆鬥中，尹長祿用長棍打死旗人高手關洛胤，為躲避保定府的緝捕逃和張鳳岩等到北京。有一天張洛鳳等到大柵欄閒逛正逢京師頭號摔跤高手、黑幫頭目寶善三在那裏擺設摔跤擂臺。張鳳岩見寶善三雖然武功精湛，但武德很次，把上臺的三位好漢都摔得骨折筋斷。於是張鳳岩走上前去教訓寶善三，交手沒多久寶善三知道遇上了高手，不敢大意，使出渾身解數對付張鳳岩，最後張鳳岩使著『蟒纏樹』，捲住寶善三的腿使勁一搓：「廢了你吧」！隨著寶善三一聲慘叫後他的腿骨已斷，張鳳岩兩臂一擰把寶善三扔到台下，台下的觀眾歡聲雷動。】（註五，此段並無根據，實屬道聽塗說。）
王福田是平敬一的二弟子，不僅摔跤功夫高深，在武術上也很有造詣，他到濟南後聽說當地有一跤霸名叫范天龍，就前去會戰，連勝范天龍三跤，使保定功夫在濟南威名大震。
白俊峰是平敬一的三弟子，每天睡半夜、起五更，把家中的一口大缸做練功的工具沒命的練，開始他擰空缸，來回擰，以後逐漸往缸裏填土。幾年後，他能將裝滿土的大缸扔出老遠。
馬蔚然是平敬一的四弟子，沒有參加1895年的蕩回大毆鬥，在平敬一雙目失明後（註六，平大師得的是『眼翳病』並非失明）留在師父身邊伺候，【平敬一也得以把平生所學全部傳授給他，從而馬蔚然的摔跤功夫和武術造詣都達到爐火純青的地步】（此處所述的是張鳳岩大師，並非馬蔚然。），「鐵杆順風旗」（這是張大師鳳岩的絕技，叫做『順風扯旗』，這應該是弄錯人了！！）是他的拿手絕活兒，向後擔任過南京中央國術館總教官和館長。（註七）
尹長祿是平敬一的五弟子在1895年的蕩回大械鬥中用長棍打死關洛胤後，成為政府緝拿的主犯，他逃往南方，幾經輾轉最後落腳到武漢，靠自己一身卓越的武功擔任武漢新軍的武術教官。
馬良，字子良，系平敬一的小弟子，幼年從師平敬一，對武術有著濃厚的興趣，後又進日本軍隊士官生學校學習，畢業回國後於1901年就任山西武備學堂和直隸陸軍學校教習。後投靠北洋軍閥，任參戰軍旅長、師長等職。後有長期任濟南衛戎司令官、濟南鎮守使、山東督軍等職。成為獨霸山東的軍閥。他的衛隊是從保定清真東街的回族中挑選的武術高手組成。馬良特別重視讓部下學習摔跤，提高格鬥素質，他於1913年在山東濟南創建武術傳習所、山東國術館，並親任館長。還曾任中央國術館名譽館長，培養出眾多武術和摔跤專業人才。他早在20世紀就邀請拳術家編寫《華新武術》，後有於1911年和1914年兩次邀請武術名家編纂武術和摔跤的教科書，其內容包括摔角科、拳腳科、劍術科等。使摔跤規範化、理論化，並向全國推廣。
一代跤王 常東昇
常東昇，保定將軍廟人，八歲隨父親常洛倫（註七，常大師的父親名為「常蘭亭」，並非叫做常洛倫。）練摔跤基本功，十歲拜平敬一的大弟子張鳳岩為師，成為張鳳岩的關門弟子之一。由於他體格強健，天資聰穎，又能刻苦練功，練成『得合』、『度花擺』（註八，此為麻花掰。）等絕招，能以『沾衣即跌』之速讓對手茫然倒地，【他小時侯臉被燙過一次，從而在鼻樑上眉心部位留下一塊疤痕，剛好左右對稱，形似蝴蝶，再加上他摔跤前習慣先左右來幾個刺空兒姿勢，手舞身擺好象蝴蝶一樣，所以人們稱他『花蝴蝶』。】（註九、十，此段簡直是在胡扯，『花蝴蝶』的稱謂與此燙傷無關。）在他打敗保定及附近所有摔跤名手後，成為當時保定第一摔跤高手，有曾隨劉棆山學習『形精拳』，從楊茂堂處學的『霸手拳』，並研習劍棍。在天津摔倒『蓋河北』鄒井昆，到南京又摔倒中央國術館摔跤大賽中奪魁的一等教官楊發武，被南京中央國術館館長張之江授予少將官銜，【同時又得到館內武術家、摔跤家馬英圖、馬裕甫名家的指點，技藝精進。】（註十一，並無此事，名門出身又何須他人指點。都已是『常勝將軍』，又何來指點。）七七事變前，摔倒「大日本皇軍」第一勇將、九段高手森田喜直，挫敗日寇的囂張氣焰。
常東昇1937年赴廣西桂林平東任國民黨軍官培訓團武術教官，1940年起任國民黨警官學校教官。1948年在上海舉行的第七屆全運會摔跤比賽中獲中量級冠軍。不久隨警校到臺灣任教於中央警館學校，並在文化大學、政法大學、建中大學等教授摔跤。1976年退休後曾到摩洛哥、新加坡、西德、瑞典、墨西哥、美國等國講學和表演等國表演，被譽為中國跤王，後客居美國，在芝加哥和紐約兩地教授中國跤術。著有《摔角術》。
閆善意
閆善意是於常東昇同時代的又一名保定回族摔跤國手，同是張鳳岩的關門弟子。閆善意最露臉的要數他摔敗新鄉摔跤名將“鐵胳膊”王大勁，王大勁能獨自一人輕而易舉的端起磨盤，而且穩穩當當的蓋在井上，不僅力大而且摔跤技法嫻熟，是遠近聞名的高手然而在與閆善意比賽時卻連敗三跤。
當閆善意得知常東昇在南京很風光後便從保定趕往南京，恰巧趕上全國摔跤比賽，便匆匆上陣，不料竟奪得冠軍，同時還獲得了擊劍比賽的亞軍。
馬文奎
保定清真寺街回族馬文奎師從多人，不拘一格所以招勢教多，在常東昇、閆善意相繼離開保定後脫穎而出，成為保定府摔跤第一高手。參加了在上海舉行的全國運動會，並奪得冠軍，在會上還結識了開封回族姑娘、全國射箭冠軍馬桂蘭，兩人互相傾慕，不久便結為伉儷，後來南京中央國術館館長馬蔚然安排馬文奎到開封當教官，於是隨妻子馬桂蘭回到開封。抗日戰爭全面爆發後，馬文奎流落到石家莊靠賣牛雜碎度日。解放後，黨和政府派人找到他，任命他擔任了國家摔跤隊的教練和一級裁判。
解放後保定回族依然保持著尚武和酷愛摔跤的傳統，他們勤學苦練，湧現出一個又一個摔跤高手，在1991年的民族傳統運動會上，回族選手安長青和安波分別獲得摔跤項目的金牌和銀牌。保定當代回族湧現的少林武術教師有馬汗清、馬文龍、馬子容、馬子明等。
有關於大陸保定回族的摔跤概況一文，本人有以下諸次之說明與澄清：
註一：蒙古族賜姓的平家兄弟與平敬一大師家族並無關連，平家系統為維吾爾族。保定自古以來便為兵家重地，所以保定之摔跤自古即有，更不是由平氏二兄弟所傳。
註二：馬長春何許人也？本人絕未曾聽先祖父敘述師承、傳承時提起，也從未聽先祖母（張鳳岩家師之女兒）提過。本人數年前曾三度造訪保定，見過平敬一宗師五世孫，民族事務局副局長平克軍，也受保定市體育局邀請參訪，其間曾多次詳細詢問保定摔跤古今之發展。從未聽過提及馬長春其人，手頭上的『保定市體育誌』一書，對平、張、常三位大師皆有詳細介紹，不知所謂平敬一宗師的師父馬長春為何未在此介紹之列？
本人之小女為1998年出生，與先祖父相差90年，尚且知道她曾祖父之種種事蹟，而先祖父與平敬一宗師（1830～1908）相差不過78年，怎麼可能連外叔公的事蹟都不知道了呢？馬長春者容或真有其人，但與平宗師一脈傳承系統並無關係，先祖父從大陸揚名，到與政府軍隊播遷來台灣後，將摔跤推向世界超過一甲子的時光，從未有訊息提過平敬一宗師的師父是誰，為什麼最近又突然出現？
中國式摔跤於近幾年來，接連著歐、美與大陸舉辦國際邀請賽的鼓舞之下，已有全面復興的勢頭，在這關鍵點，本人懇切地希望，應該把重心放在技術傳承、國際交流及教育訓練上，而非把歷史人物以小說的方式來包裝與炒作。到底金庸筆下的汝陽王是真有其人，但張無忌就是虛構之人物了，希望武術摔跤的愛好者，不要走入歷史與神話鄉野傳聞的迷思之中。
註三：平敬一宗師據先祖父的轉述是『身材高瘦，略有駝背』（並不是該文所述之「高大魁梧」），與張鳳岩大師體材相同（先祖父年少時，身材亦相同）。故保定快跤一系強調的是身材勻稱、勇猛精悍，而不是長的跟大牯牛一樣。
趙振鋒曾聽說過，其兵器正確名稱叫做『九節狐尾鞭』，盤起來有海碗口粗（並非是鞭子本身似碗口粗），而平宗師最厲害的武器是貼身的『纏身布腰帶』（布棍），張鳳岩大師最厲害的是『白蠟扎桿』，先祖父最厲害的是隨身的『順逆雙鉤分水峨眉刺』。
那麼平敬一宗師的摔角傳承到底是什麼呢？先祖父曾明確的告訴本人，在張鳳言大師口中的師父，他的摔角體系是屬於『家跤』、『私跤』，亦即是『家傳的摔跤術』、『私房門裡的摔跤術』，是由他們平氏家族之中各個會跤、練跤的高手長輩、父執輩們從小到大細心調教的，如同本人所學亦是『家跤』、『私房跤』。他是整個家族所培育出來的成果，因此無法明確指出真正的所謂「師父」是何許人也。
平敬一宗師以其深厚的家傳摔跤基礎，再加上無出其右在少林拳法上的高超成就，終於保定跤提昇為『沾衣即跌』（一般跤場上不傷和氣的比劃較手），散手快摔的形式（遇有無法避免的挑釁，必須實戰的時候）。
先祖父說：「他的老師張鳳岩一生最大的成就是將保定散手快跤的大系統作了全面而且精確完美的整合。」至於他本人，照先祖父的說法：「若有什麼成績的話，應該是在技術層面上體現了『撕、崩、捅、活步跤』的精神，另外在能提昇與強化全面水平的練功法上，作了完整的分析和交代，使一個真正循序漸進來練習的保定快跤手能達到『不退功』的境界。」
註四、五：保定跤一系絕無入贅、倒插門的事情，這點在前文「一代跤王常東昇」一文之釋疑中已交代清楚，不再重複。有關該文提到張鳳岩大師到北京將寶善三摔斷腿一事，也是道聽塗說，鄉野奇聞罷了，本門自平敬一宗師以降特重武德，不仗藝欺人，即使對手心術不正，手段狠辣也只是「摔趴了他」，不可能讓對方骨折筋斷，而且跤場有跤場的禁忌與規矩，最忌見紅，而將跤場主摔斷腿更是不可能善了，所以識者把它當承傳其故事看看就罷了！
註六：平敬一宗師晚年並未失明而是得了一種叫做『眼翳病』的眼疾（長時間暴露於陽光下或是灰塵風沙等刺激，使眼球組織長出翼狀贅片，影響視力。）倒是早年的輕微駝背，到年老的時候可能壓迫脊椎神經，使得平宗師晚年腰腿不方便，但是張鳳岩大師卻在平家包子舖看過，平宗師雖然腰腿不便但仍然能以『布棍』的發勁法來「撐麵」（即拉麵，目的將麵團拉長抖開。）這又是保定快跤另一個『不退功』的明證，至於平宗師將什麼畢生武藝傳給馬蔚然也是子虛烏有之事，眾所周知的是大弟子張鳳岩得其真傳，而馬蔚然是弟子中唯一帶藝拜師的（心意六合門），因此能法得到真傳就不在話下了。至於該文所稱的所謂『鐵杆順風旗』也是馬蔚然的絕活兒，這也是移花接木、牛頭不對馬嘴了，因為所謂『鐵杆順風旗』，其真正的名稱叫做『順風扯旗』分為正扯旗與倒扯旗二種，屬於散手跤系統，有練功法及發勁法（即強化功力與提昇技術兩類）。發勁法又是屬於『斜打二十四連手式』當中的第二十二式，所以『順風扯旗』是張鳳岩大師的獨門功法，而先祖父也傳承下來了，並在1960年代末期在台北青年公園留下珍貴照片。本人則在多年前於台北植物園，台北縣摔角協會的練習聚會場地裡已經教給了許多摔跤同好，受惠者有數十人。先祖父終其一生特別強調的就是不弄玄虛，把真實的技術還原出來，因此本人真切的呼籲撰寫武術文章、文獻的朋友們，在下筆之前一定要百分之百的求證，不確定的不如不寫，不要像『太極拳』一樣提傳到現今，到底有沒有張三豐其人，到底與太極拳的發展有沒有直接、間接的關係都是眾說紛紜，不可考據了。所以敘述歷史，特別是在網路向全世界公開的場合理，要拿出御史大夫的風範，而不是說書講故事的輕鬆心情才對。
註七：有關馬蔚然使否曾在中央國術館擔任要職一事，經查證並無此事。
民國八年，濟南鎮守使馬良，徵調第五師武術的精英，於濟南成立山東武術傳習所(山東國術館前身)，培訓武術人才。1928年南京中央國術館成立，李景林 (劍術名家)出任副館長，1930年(民國19年)任山東國術館館長，1931年病死於濟南，終年47歲。後由竇來庚先生任館長，當時省長韓復渠為兼任館長，並於民國24年成立師範班，培養山東省各縣市國術館館長及教練人才。
各門派各種類武術教練約21人。
1.竇來庚 館長：太乙門高祖師爺的嫡傳弟子，當時武術名家，民17年全國國術考試，最優等(第一名)15名之一。
2.田振峰 教務長：以倡導技擊實踐而聞名全國，亦是形意拳家。(當時雖肯定孫祿堂的拳藝，但並不認同他的學理)
3.林秉禮：號「經三」人稱林經三，山東國術館畢業，民國22年第二次國考，獲得(1)拳腳表演(2)短兵表演(3)拳腳擂台(4)短兵對抗(應用對打) 四項冠軍。其中拳腳表演(套路)演練「醉猴拳」；短兵表演「金鋼圈」(娜吒拿的兵器)；拳腳擂台打敗鐵沙掌名家顧汝章最出人意料。人稱他1秒能打7、8 拳，自己說沒這麼多。後任教於山東國術館，負責太乙門拳腳、拳腳應用(對打)、短兵應用(對打)。抗日開始，進入保安十七旅第三師。
4.張登魁、楊春智、楊玉鳳：民22年國考表現優異，已故范之孝老師(中央國術館畢業)於國術季刊寫道『中央國術館概況』，文中言及『山東國術館於第二屆國考獲勝者極佔半數，如張登魁、楊春智、楊玉鳳…等』。張登魁後任教於南京中央國術體育專科學校，教受摔角，頗具影響力。
5.韓慶堂：山東國術館修畢，進入中央國術館第一期，後在台灣廣傳拳術，一代名家。
6.王子章：山東國術館修畢，進入中央國術館，專習搏擊，後回山東國術館教搏擊(拳擊)。
民24年師範班成立：
7.朱憲章：畢業後派至濟南消防隊，抗日勝利後，躲過文革，民國70~80年間約為80多歲，因文革影響，仍不願多言。山東國術館史的見證及傳承者。
8.馬增泰：來台後住於台北新店，為了生活未教拳。也是山東國術館史的見證及傳承者。
9.劉維中：現住高雄，傳揚國術。自小習武，與父親劉幹卿(山東武術傳習所畢)同為太乙門弟子，民26年畢業，奉派擔任縣國術館館長，同年七七事變發生，加入抗戰行列，抗日做戰被砲彈所傷，撤退台灣繼續接受治療，如今肝臟仍有碎彈片，身腰部有一大傷痕，膝蓋亦傷，身上之痛已視如家常便飯若有若無了。60歲左右患癌症，無錢就醫，憑藉毅力與拳術演練，至今84歲左右，為國術的歷史見證及傳承人，在高雄創立高雄市武術協會，受當地人士敬重。
山東國術館教練：
1.李培義：河北保定人，民國20年左右約60多歲，原武術傳習所教官，負責摔角。
2.李膺勳：河北保定人，形意拳名家李存義的叔叔，教形意拳，拳快下盤穩。
3.馬耀南：教形意拳…等
4.常教練：不識字，教月牙钂鏟、拳腳、十八般兵器樣樣精通。
5.胡教練：不識字，所教授鉤、埋伏拳為獨步武林的絕藝，觀摩表演時，當胡教練下場表演埋伏拳，就無人敢再下場表演埋伏拳。
其他繼續蒐集整理，山東國術館的師生多抗日犧牲，竇來庚館長率領保安十七旅(含師生)，抗日事跡可見於山東臨胊文史資料選集。
中央國術館最初名為『國術研究館』。建館的宗旨，除行政管理和編審教材書刊外，另設學生武術訓練隊（班），培養武術師資，以便推廣武術教育。按說屬於學術教育機構，張之江向教育部申請備案，可是教育部不承認，他們認為武術是已被淘汰的東西，教育部不提倡這個舊玩藝聲稱如果一定要提倡，只能屬於民眾團體，不屬於教育系統。百般刁難，堅不批准。
張之江在無可奈何的情況下，找到國民政府常務委員李烈鈞先生，（當時國民政府由主席林森負責外，李烈鈞算是第二把手，他能發號施令）李烈鈞和張之江是辛亥革命雲南起義的老友，有深厚的友誼，李烈鈞當即拍板﹕教育部既然不承認，那麼就由國民政府直接領導，經費由國庫開支。於1927年3月15日，國民政府公報第41期刊載第174號公文批准備案。國術研究館即由國民政府直接領導，於是便改為中央國術館，並發表成立宣言。
這時，張之江奉中央令赴各省視察軍務，中央國術館的籌備建館工作，即派馬良和王子平負責籌備，籌建處設在南京韓家巷，暫借中華基督教會幾個房間，當時副館長李景林也遷到籌備處辦公，還有武術專家馬英圖、劉印虎等人。
中央國術館建館的發起人有國民黨的著名人士蔡元培、孔祥熙、于右任、鈕永健、張之江、張樹聲等。該館設有理事會，由馮玉祥先生擔任理事長，並設參事會，聘請當代名人擔任參事，每季度召開參事會議，提出各項寶貴意見，起到建設性作用。
中央國術館的組織，分為三處，即教務處、編審處、總務處。教務處負責教學，培養師資，設處長一人，第一任處長為王子平，此後朱國福、吳俊山、吳翼暉、楊松山等繼任。編審處負責編輯教學資料，審定教材，整理武術傳統項目，設處長一人，由姜容樵、吳伯年、金一明等先後擔任。這些人都是文武兼備的武術專家，他們編寫了大量武術書刊和理論報道，為我國的武術理論建設和技術傳播起到極為重要的作用，總務處負責行政後勤、財務、文書等工作，設處長一人，由李滋懋、竺永華、龐玉森先後擔任。
附設學生武術訓練班，訓導主任由張瑞堂擔任，朱國楨為隊長，兼教搏擊，隊付朱國祿兼教長拳，楊法武兼教摔跤，劉洪慶兼教器械，何福生為幼年班班長，馬正武為副班長。另有武術名家孫祿堂教授（江蘇省國術館副館長）教形意拳，楊澄甫教楊式太極拳，龔潤田教吳式太極拳，陳子榮教陳式太極拳，吳俊山和孫玉昆教八卦掌和擒拿，馬英圖教劈掛拳和八極拳，李玉山教燕青拳、太極鞭，孫玉銘教棍術，張本源教查拳。
中央國術館的館訓﹕『術德並重，文武兼修』學習武術的目的是健身強種，自衛御敵，不能恃武逞強，尋隙鬥毆，更不能欺善壓弱，在不得已自衛還擊時，要適可而止，不可置對手於死地。在練武的同時，還要修身養性，學武也要學文，學文化，學科學，要精通武術各項理論和消化各項教材。
中央國術館的口號﹕『強種救國，御侮圖存』所以中央國術館培養的武術人才，幾乎都是術德並重，文武兼修的武林俊杰，分布在國內外，如國內的：國家體系的吳江平，北京體院張文廣，雲南省武協主席何福生，上海復旦大學李錫思，東北師大康紹遠，武漢體院溫敬銘（已故）等，海外的：臺灣傅淑雲，美國張震海，英國黃濟復，新加坡陳玉和，馬來西亞宮邦杰，泰國劉景行，巴西劉振元，印尼林瑞興，緬甸鄺榮濤，越南張俊，香港燕棠華等，這些人為武術事業作出了積極貢獻。
註八：先祖父少年時即被稱為『花蝴蝶』，原因是其以『撕、崩、捅』活步跤摔法時，其身形輕靈優美，猶如蝴蝶於花叢中穿梭一般，而活步跤的動作是以嚴緊而多變的手法及步法（移動法）互相穿插搭配而成，從遠處看是非常向蝴蝶的翅膀舞動翻飛得型態，故有此稱呼與臉上的傷痕完全無關。【傷痕是先祖父的祖母在他極幼小的時候，在火爐旁取暖時，被破裂飛濺的瓦片沾黏在臉上，祖母一時心慌心急用手移除時所造成的，這些傷痕在年輕時並不明顯，是在老年時（六十歲以後）因黑色素沈澱累積之後才逐漸清晰的。】
註九：先祖父一生揚名四海，最厲害的絕招就叫做『麻花掰』，這麻花是天津的三寶之一，個頭皆極大與南方麻花酥不同，所以吃的時候一定要用雙手掰開，以方便享用。「麻花」、「撒子」、「油炸裹兒」是北方很普遍的吃食小點心。『麻花掰』又稱『麻花三疊式』，是保定咼交平宗師一系所傳的一百二十四式的『黑手』之中最後倒數第二式（倒數第三式是黏步連身揭手六疊靠）。這兩類動作在接手上有從屬主客的相聯性。
世界常門武術聯盟 執行長
常達偉 2005.04.09
Posted by: iwalkthecircle Nov 8 2007, 11:11 PM
Just some stuff I saved from internet over the years.....
Posted by: northbear Nov 8 2007, 11:24 PM
very cool.
quite a read.
thank you for posting.
bow.gif
Posted by: northbear Nov 8 2007, 11:27 PM
I met him in Shuai Jiao club at Jian Guo high school.
man, I am old.
bow.gif
Posted by: iwalkthecircle Nov 8 2007, 11:31 PM
QUOTE(northbear @ Nov 8 2007, 10:27 PM) *
I met him in Shuai Jiao club at Jian Guo high school.
man, I am old.
bow.gif
that is the highSchool JW went to as well.....
my uncle in taiwan also went there. he was on a wrestling scholarShip using judo, & he is also super smart.
Posted by: hejinghan Nov 8 2007, 11:39 PM
Master CTS is one of the MA master I respect and admire.
I've met one of his old student in Nanjing, Mr. Zhang Jing-Tow, both CTS and ZJT had good " hand skills" instead of only " throw", it means they have the hand skills to open opponents door to move in, so they can fight with other kinds of MAtists, their arms and body has a " twist force" so they can throw people fast and "easy", these two abilities are rare to see now from CTS's lineage, maybe don't learn to throw in the beginning, maybe what CTS did when he was young is a clue.
Posted by: shawnsegler Nov 8 2007, 11:42 PM
QUOTE(hejinghan @ Nov 8 2007, 07:39 PM) *
Master CTS is one of the MA master I respect and admire.
I've met one of his old student in Nanjing, Mr. Zhang Jing-Tow, both CTS and ZJT had good " hand skills" instead of only " throw", it means they have the hand skills to open opponents door to move in, so they can fight with other kinds of MAtists, their arms and body has a " twist force" so they can throw people fast and "easy", these two abilities are rare to see now from CTS's lineage, maybe don't learn to throw in the beginning, maybe what CTS did when he was young is a clue.
That "dull sickle" training?
Best,
S
Posted by: YouKnowWho Nov 9 2007, 05:38 AM
QUOTE(hejinghan @ Nov 9 2007, 03:39 AM) *
Master CTS is one of the MA master I respect and admire.
I've met one of his old student in Nanjing, Mr. Zhang Jing-Tow, both CTS and ZJT had good " hand skills" instead of only " throw", it means they have the hand skills to open opponents door to move in, so they can fight with other kinds of MAtists, their arms and body has a " twist force" so they can throw people fast and "easy", these two abilities are rare to see now from CTS's lineage, maybe don't learn to throw in the beginning, maybe what CTS did when he was young is a clue.
I believe you are talking about "butterfly hands" and close, mirror stance entering strategy here. The 'twist force" can be developed from the Gon twisting training.
Most people paid attention on GM Chang's skill and not many people paid attention on his super human strength. With his strength, any moves can work for him without effort. I saw him to use XingYi Heng Chuan to knock one guy 45 degree up in the sky like a flying bird (in Taiwan Culture University). Never believe a human arm can generate that much power.
Posted by: count Nov 9 2007, 07:27 AM
Thanks for posting this. smiley.gif
Posted by: hejinghan Nov 9 2007, 09:40 AM
QUOTE(YouKnowWho @ Nov 9 2007, 05:38 PM) *
Most people paid attention on GM Chang's skill and not many people paid attention on his super human strength. With his strength, any moves can work for him without effort.
Yes, that's the point.
Posted by: DeusTrismegistus Nov 9 2007, 09:49 AM
QUOTE(YouKnowWho @ Nov 9 2007, 04:38 AM) *
I believe you are talking about "butterfly hands" and close, mirror stance entering strategy here. The 'twist force" can be developed from the Gon twisting training.
Most people paid attention on GM Chang's skill and not many people paid attention on his super human strength. With his strength, any moves can work for him without effort. I saw him to use XingYi Heng Chuan to knock one guy 45 degree up in the sky like a flying bird (in Taiwan Culture University). Never believe a human arm can generate that much power.
My teacher trained with Chang Tung Sheng as well. He said that if GM Chang demonstrated a punch or throw on you it meant he liked you. My teacher has also talked of being lifted up in the air like YouKnowWho is describing.
Posted by: dragontigerpalm Nov 9 2007, 10:35 AM
Thanks for posting.
Posted by: C.J.W. Nov 9 2007, 10:51 AM
I once had a conversation with Mr. Chu Yu-Long -- another student of GM Chang. He said that when GM Chang was teaching at the Police Academy in Taiwan, one day the new students were having a routine physical checkup, which included grip testing. The officers at the academy had long heard stories about GM Chang's super strength, and handed him a grip tester to see just exactly how strong he was. The GM squeezed and guess what -- the machine broke! The needle on the meter went beyond the maximum 100-kilogram (about 220 pound) limit and cracked in half. (The average grip of an adult Asian male in Taiwan is between 40-45, and GM Chang's is more than twice as much)
Just to give an idea of how powerful GM Chang's grip is, I was watching a strongman show the other day in which the contestants attempted to pull an airliner forward as far as they could. None of them had a grip exceeding 200 pounds.
Posted by: ashe Nov 9 2007, 11:12 AM
QUOTE(YouKnowWho @ Nov 9 2007, 02:38 AM) *
Most people paid attention on GM Chang's skill and not many people paid attention on his super human strength.
but how did he get that strength?
Posted by: Royal Dragon Nov 9 2007, 12:07 PM
Probably a variety of progressive resistance exercises, with a good deal of freakishly strong genetics.
Posted by: wotien Nov 9 2007, 01:48 PM
Just curious .... how did Chang Tung Sheng end up in a photo with both Gene Chicoine and John Allen of Green Dragon?
Posted by: YouKnowWho Nov 9 2007, 04:48 PM
QUOTE(ashe @ Nov 9 2007, 03:12 PM) *
but how did he get that strength?
The grip strength can be developed from:
- bag throwing,
- Cane bundle twisting,
- Wooden stick twisting,
- ...
The striking art may only need punching and kicking power but the throwing art will require much more body parts strength.
Posted by: samtao Nov 9 2007, 05:00 PM
Great Story !
Thanks for posting it !
Only on the flowa can we find such incredible history facts.
Makes me think of you JWang, you are one lucky man shocked.gif !
Posted by: gosao Nov 9 2007, 05:11 PM
QUOTE(YouKnowWho @ Nov 9 2007, 01:38 AM) *
Most people paid attention on GM Chang's skill and not many people paid attention on his super human strength. With his strength, any moves can work for him without effort. I saw him to use XingYi Heng Chuan to knock one guy 45 degree up in the sky like a flying bird (in Taiwan Culture University). Never believe a human arm can generate that much power.
lol
anyone know the story of what happened here? Did that Clyman get hurt by this or did his gold bell training make him impervious to the flying bird technique?
Posted by: Nianfong Nov 9 2007, 10:13 PM
don't dig up those worms man.
iWC I fixed your pinyin in your title. you might wanna include some chinese now wink.gif 常東昇
Posted by: Akronviper Nov 10 2007, 12:49 AM
From what I remember Clyman took the shot, was a little dazed, but Chang did not hit him very hard. No body was put into the shot. Chang was in a visiting country and felt it was best not to go around knocking out proclaimed martial artists out of respect and courtesy. From what I was told he did not try to hard and every one seemed to know that, They did wish that he would have laid him out though others wanted to.
Posted by: iwalkthecircle Nov 10 2007, 11:00 AM
QUOTE(Nianfong @ Nov 9 2007, 09:13 PM) *
don't dig up those worms man.
iWC I fixed your pinyin in your title. you might wanna include some chinese now wink.gif huh.gif
thnx my pinYin really sucked... i just spell the way i proNounce it in english.
for some reason the tittle does not take certain type of chinese well.
Posted by: Phuc Dat Bish Nov 10 2007, 03:50 PM
He should have cracked his head open.
Posted by: DeusTrismegistus Nov 12 2007, 09:34 AM
QUOTE(gosao @ Nov 9 2007, 04:11 PM) *
lol
anyone know the story of what happened here? Did that Clyman get hurt by this or did his gold bell training make him impervious to the flying bird technique?
Whats the story behind that pic?
Posted by: Akronviper Nov 12 2007, 01:23 PM
From what I was told Clyman a self proclaimed expert in Golden Bell training, came to a exhibition where Chang was I belive in Collumbus. He wanted to prove that his golden bell was so good he could withstand blows from anyone, so during the course of the exibition he asked Chang to hit him and he would resist it. Chang being in a new country and trying to spread SC did not want to hurt the guy so hit him with little force. Every one there thoght he was lucky he did not hit him hard he still belived his golden bell saved him
Posted by: S.W. Pennykid Nov 12 2007, 08:22 PM
I'm always very grateful whenever anyone presents information on Ch'ang Tung Sheng. That man is my Goku.
More than any other martial artist, this man gets me off my ass and training.
I am terribly envious of John Wang. With that kind of training I could have been more Hercules and alot less Don Knotts.
Scott
Posted by: gosao Nov 13 2007, 02:46 AM
QUOTE(Old Ox @ Nov 12 2007, 09:24 AM) *
Depends on who you ask. Clyman himself quotes another shuai jiao guy:
"'In 1981, I witnessed Gary Clyman request Grandmaster Ch'ang Tung Sheng to hit him so he could reality test his Gold Bell Training. He was hit 6 times and kept smiling. He is the only person I ever saw brave enough to do that.'"
Dr. Chi-Hsiu "Daniel" Weng Ph.D., President, United States Shuai Chiao Assn., 9th Degree Black Belt (See above photo)
In other words, Clyman asked for it, Clyman got it, and Clyman is not averse to using the photo to market himself.
Others say that Mr. Ch'ang was only hitting lightly.
What Mr. Ch'ang himself thought about the incident does not seem to be a matter of public record.
So Clyman's saying Gold Bell training protects against punches to the face? Because judging from that pic looks like he got uppercutted to the chin.
Posted by: Felipe Bido Nov 13 2007, 09:50 AM
QUOTE(wotien @ Nov 9 2007, 03:48 PM) *
Just curious .... how did Chang Tung Sheng end up in a photo with both Gene Chicoine and John Allen of Green Dragon?
In the same way that you can end up in a pic with Richard Simmons... you just have to be where he is, and ask for a pic.
Posted by: Akronviper Nov 13 2007, 01:08 PM
every one says the pic with Allen from GDS was photo shoped, but that was the early 80's not very good fakes then (remember no photo shop then), but with the demos being performed in the areas and at one time GDS being a sister school to Chicoines its not hard to believe he was in the pic it works out like Filipe Bido says you say hey can I have a picture with you.
Also when you look at the picture of Clyman getting hit is a very non involved drilling punch, no body movement nothing. He doesn't look like a guy trying to take his head off.
Posted by: Sekhmet Nov 13 2007, 01:52 PM
QUOTE(Akronviper @ Nov 13 2007, 11:08 AM) *
every one says the pic with Allen from GDS was photo shoped, but that was the early 80's not very good fakes then (remember no photo shop then), but with the demos being performed in the areas and at one time GDS being a sister school to Chicoines its not hard to believe he was in the pic it works out like Filipe Bido says you say hey can I have a picture with you.
Also when you look at the picture of Clyman getting hit is a very non involved drilling punch, no body movement nothing. He doesn't look like a guy trying to take his head off.
how can you tell all that from a pic. honestly it looks like he is linked to me. but again hard to tell from a photo. given CTS' rep tho i have no issues believing such an even occurred.
Posted by: Sal Canzonieri Nov 13 2007, 05:58 PM
QUOTE(Akronviper @ Nov 13 2007, 12:08 PM) *
every one says the pic with Allen from GDS was photo shoped, but that was the early 80's not very good fakes then (remember no photo shop then), but with the demos being performed in the areas and at one time GDS being a sister school to Chicoines its not hard to believe he was in the pic it works out like Filipe Bido says you say hey can I have a picture with you.
Also when you look at the picture of Clyman getting hit is a very non involved drilling punch, no body movement nothing. He doesn't look like a guy trying to take his head off.
it was done with a stat camera, that's how things were done back then, without photoshop.
This was proven a fake photo many years ago, people showed the actual photo of him and this fake one side by side and you can see that not only was it the exact same photo with shading shadows, etc not the same as the other two guys, but that they missed a piece of background color that was in the original and also in the faked one that is not possible to be in the photo.
So, it is a fake, case was settled long ago.
Posted by: Akronviper Nov 14 2007, 01:47 PM
So who faked it?
Posted by: Felipe Bido Nov 14 2007, 03:04 PM
QUOTE(Akronviper @ Nov 14 2007, 03:47 PM) *
So who faked it?
Maybe a person interested in appearing in a pic with Chang ? wink.gif
Posted by: DeusTrismegistus Nov 14 2007, 03:11 PM
QUOTE(LizY @ Nov 14 2007, 01:15 PM) *
Would you be able to give some historical reference to this statement? I am researching HuangDi and have not come across any reference to the martials arts he or his family practiced. Of course a lot of academics would question whether HuangDi even existed, but archeology often has to catch up with oral/cultural history.
Chinese Kuoshu Institute, History, <http://www.kuoshu.co.uk/History%20-%20SJ.htm>. Retrieved on 2007-10-08 See also Peiser, Benny (May 1996), "Western Theories about the Origins of Sport in Ancient China", Sports Historian 16: 117-139, ISSN 1351-5462
That might help.
Posted by: Akronviper Nov 14 2007, 05:25 PM
QUOTE(Felipe Bido @ Nov 14 2007, 02:04 PM) *
Maybe a person interested in appearing in a pic with Chang ? wink.gif
Exactly, (follow my Scooby Doo detective skills) So some how one of the three people in the picture received this picture from some one and doctored it. Then the same person that took the picture and gave it to them came back years latter and confronted Allen about the authenticity of it. Sound fishy. the picture was taken at Stow High School in Stow , Ohio the same city as GDS. Allen was in direct contact with Chicoine at the time, is it so hard to believe that he could of gotten his picture taken with a living legend. Every one has conspiracy theorys and thats just one. Picture dont make you a better MA or mean he is your teacher. I have a picture with Arnold Swartennnegr ? dosn't means he trains me.
Posted by: Nianfong Nov 14 2007, 08:59 PM
QUOTE(Old Ox @ Nov 12 2007, 05:24 PM) *
Depends on who you ask. Clyman himself quotes another shuai jiao guy:
"'In 1981, I witnessed Gary Clyman request Grandmaster Ch'ang Tung Sheng to hit him so he could reality test his Gold Bell Training. He was hit 6 times and kept smiling. He is the only person I ever saw brave enough to do that.'"
Dr. Chi-Hsiu "Daniel" Weng Ph.D., President, United States Shuai Chiao Assn., 9th Degree Black Belt (See above photo)
In other words, Clyman asked for it, Clyman got it, and Clyman is not averse to using the photo to market himself.
Others say that Mr. Ch'ang was only hitting lightly.
What Mr. Ch'ang himself thought about the incident does not seem to be a matter of public record.
Shit. we've been here before so just drop it. Don't make me send this thread to BTDT.
My teacher is dr. weng. You should read that quote in a less than reverent tone... more of one that's joking. my teacher is quite funny in real life. he is the one who brought GM to the states in the first place, and was hosting that demo. Clyman was a student of my teacher at the time.
You don't just kill people flat out in the states when they ask for a demo of skill, even if you can.
Now where's this picture of chicoine and allen?
Posted by: Akronviper Nov 14 2007, 09:10 PM
I have one in an old IKF mag with one. I'll post if I figure it out, possibly in another thread as not to hijack this one. I love the GM Chang threads I almost feel disrespectful by getting this far off topic.
Posted by: DeusTrismegistus Nov 15 2007, 03:18 PM
QUOTE(Nianfong @ Nov 14 2007, 07:59 PM) *
Shit. we've been here before so just drop it. Don't make me send this thread to BTDT.
My teacher is dr. weng. You should read that quote in a less than reverent tone... more of one that's joking. my teacher is quite funny in real life. he is the one who brought GM to the states in the first place, and was hosting that demo. Clyman was a student of my teacher at the time.
You don't just kill people flat out in the states when they ask for a demo of skill, even if you can.
Now where's this picture of chicoine and allen?
I met Daniel Weng at the Shuai Jiao mini camp at OSU recently. I was pleasantly surprised at his sense of humor and his approachableness. He is very cool and a good teacher smiley.gif
Well is it BTDT to bring up Frank DeMaria? I just heard his name recently and was wondering if he is actually the adopted son of GM Chang? I hadn't heard of him before which I found surprising.
Posted by: JAB Nov 15 2007, 03:44 PM
Unfortunatly there is a lot of controversy surrounding the senior students of Chang's when he passed. I have met many of them and for the most part they are nice people. Many are too concerned with who is the "lineage holder" type BS. Chiccoine is a scum bag as a human being to the local people of Akron, can't speak of his skills martially though. Apparently many students did not get some of the humble, ego-less, qualities of there teacher Chang, and it became very evident at his passing. Too bad really.
Jake cool.gif
Posted by: DeusTrismegistus Nov 15 2007, 04:16 PM
QUOTE(JAB @ Nov 15 2007, 02:44 PM) *
Unfortunatly there is a lot of controversy surrounding the senior students of Chang's when he passed. I have met many of them and for the most part they are nice people. Many are too concerned with who is the "lineage holder" type BS. Chiccoine is a scum bag as a human being to the local people of Akron, can't speak of his skills martially though. Apparently many students did not get some of the humble, ego-less, qualities of there teacher Chang, and it became very evident at his passing. Too bad really.
Jake cool.gif
Well I think everyone in america should stop arguing over who is the lineage holder as I thought it was obvious it is his grandson. I thought that was announced publicly shortly after his unfortunate passing?
Posted by: cerebus Nov 15 2007, 04:28 PM
*C'bus sits backs pops a beer, grabs the popcorn & prepares to watch the show*
Posted by: Nianfong Nov 15 2007, 04:44 PM
while I might agree with you, deus, not everyone will. just drop it. it's very touchy.
Frank Demaria was "adopted" (more like taken as a godson) by GM for political reasons.
an adopted son by western definitions is an 義子 (yi zi). he was taken as a godson by GM, as a 乾兒子 (gan er zi)
-Fong
Posted by: JAB Nov 15 2007, 06:22 PM
Like Nian said it is a "touchy" subject with many folk. I have heard various things from various people in various countries. All seems silly to me, but what do I know.
Out of curiosity did Chang's son(s) not train? I would assume since it was passed on to his grandson?
Jake cool.gif
Posted by: Akronviper Nov 15 2007, 09:04 PM
QUOTE(JAB @ Nov 15 2007, 02:44 PM) *
Chiccoine is a scum bag as a human being to the local people of Akron, can't speak of his skills martially though.
Jake cool.gif
I dont want to get into a lineage war or who's teacher is better, its been played out so many times and it leads to anger and trolls. But I'm born and raised in Akron and disagree with your post. If you have founded reasons for this I would like to hear them off the board P.M me it will be fun.
I have heard many things about the people of Changs Lineage, even from people at historic events, have met Chang and even from his closest disciples. Its not my place to disparage any ones teacher in public. If Chang picked these people as a disciple he has his reasons and who are any of us to question his judgment in this topics. So all should be shown equal respect in public as not to call them names. its immature and usually motive driven. Lets all try to spread shuai chiao and not get back into the lineage and personal attacks and fights. Especially in a thread meant to spread info about the sports greatest.
Posted by: Nianfong Nov 15 2007, 09:09 PM
*dangerously close to flushing this thread to BTDT*
Posted by: Akronviper Nov 15 2007, 09:41 PM
Is there any in depth information available about the curriculum at the Nanking Central Kuo Shu School. Masters who were teachers in their respective arts and what not. You hear alot about it in bio's but havn't heard of info strictly on the school.
Posted by: DeusTrismegistus Nov 16 2007, 09:15 AM
QUOTE(Akronviper @ Nov 15 2007, 08:41 PM) *
Is there any in depth information available about the curriculum at the Nanking Central Kuo Shu School. Masters who were teachers in their respective arts and what not. You hear alot about it in bio's but havn't heard of info strictly on the school.
I would be interested in this as well. Also what other styles of kung fu GM Chang taught. I know he was a shuai jiao teacher but did he teach the other styles seperately or alla s part of his shuai jiao method?
Posted by: LizY Nov 16 2007, 02:01 PM
QUOTE(DeusTrismegistus @ Nov 14 2007, 07:11 PM) *
Chinese Kuoshu Institute, History, <http://www.kuoshu.co.uk/History%20-%20SJ.htm>. Retrieved on 2007-10-08 See also Peiser, Benny (May 1996), "Western Theories about the Origins of Sport in Ancient China", Sports Historian 16: 117-139, ISSN 1351-5462
That might help.
Thanks for the info. Will look it up. The only problem with the Kuoshu webpage is that it doesn't provide a provenance, i.e.
it doesn't reference where this passage came from:
"Shuai Jiao (Chinese Wrestling) is the most ancient of all Chinese martial arts with a history of over 4,000 years. Its first recorded use, in a military engagement, was when the Yellow Emperor of China fought against the rebel Chih Yiu and his army, 2,697BC. They used horned helmets and gored their opponents while using a primitive form of grappling. This early style of recorded combat was first called Jiao Ti (butting with horns). Throughout the centuries, the hands and arms replaced the horns while the techniques increased and improved. The name Jiao Ti also changed and was referred to by many names popular at that time in history or by government decree. "
Will try to get a copy of the Peiser, Benny book as well.
Thanks again.
Posted by: cerebus Nov 23 2007, 12:34 AM
Picture...
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