If Kung Fu lacks practicality, how has it been passed down for two thousand years?

Before addressing the question of whether Kung Fu can be used in real combat, it is essential to understand its origins. Kung Fu originated during the Warring States period in China, marking the beginning of its development. During this time, the warring states prioritized warfare techniques and weapon use, leading to the creation of various Kung Fu styles.

The Qin and Han dynasties represent another significant era in the development of Kung Fu. During this period, Kung Fu began to integrate elements of sports, military, culture, and philosophy, forming a more systematic and complete theoretical and technical system. It started being widely applied in warfare and personal defense.

The Tang and Song dynasties marked the peak of Kung Fu development, where it was considered a sophisticated cultural art appreciated and supported by the court and nobility. Different Kung Fu styles, such as the Shaolin, Wudang, and Songshan schools, emerged with distinct characteristics.

The Ming and Qing dynasties were a turning point in Kung Fu’s development, transitioning from the exclusive domain of the court and nobility to the general populace. Kung Fu also began to be influenced by foreign cultures, including Western boxing and Japanese judo.

In the modern era, especially after the 20th century, Kung Fu has been widely promoted and popularized. Influenced by movies, television, and sports competitions, Kung Fu has diversified, internationalized, and commercialized.

But it must be noted that the very essence of Kung Fu’s inception was to achieve victory in times of chaos, war, or other perilous situations. Therefore, Kung Fu inherently possesses a strong practical combat effectiveness.

However, compared to modern combat sports, Kung Fu often falls short in contemporary ring matches. This discrepancy arises from the differing objectives and environments for which each fighting style was developed. Kung Fu was designed for ancient outdoor battlefield combat, requiring extensive defense and preventing falls. In contrast, modern combat sports focus on a smaller defensive area, and certain strikes are prohibited. Traditional martial arts movements, designed to protect vital areas, limit offensive capabilities under modern rules, rendering many Kung Fu techniques unusable in the ring.

Despite this, traditional martial arts find their best preservation and continuation in the military, which retains many traditional techniques and frequently invites Kung Fu masters for training. In a hypothetical match between a Kung Fu practitioner and a Sanda (Chinese kickboxing) fighter in the ring, the Sanda fighter would likely emerge victorious. However, the outcome might differ in a no-rules combat scenario.

Kung Fu and martial arts, although distinct, are closely intertwined. The term “martial arts” appropriately combines both concepts, indicating that they are inseparable. For example, learning Luohan Quan at the Shaolin Temple is learning martial arts, but daily practice of the same is Kung Fu. Moreover, Kung Fu represents the foundation upon which all fighting techniques are built, and its absence reduces any technique to mere show.

The effectiveness of a technique depends more on the practitioner’s foundational strength than on the technique itself. Hence, comparing the effectiveness of different techniques is futile as the outcome depends on the practitioner.

Renowned figures like Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, with their profound foundational strength and training, demonstrated the effectiveness of Chinese kung fu. The capability to fight effectively depends on regular practice focused on actual combat scenarios, rather than merely practicing routines.

In conclusion, various fighting arts, including combat sports, Sanda, Kung Fu, Muay Thai, and others, possess inherent practicality in real combat. Their effectiveness in actual combat situations depends on how they are practiced and applied. Martial arts practitioners aim not merely to engage in fights but to acquire skills to confront danger and unlawful aggression, enhancing their self-defense capabilities.