Book Review
by Gene Ching - Head Shaolin and Tai Chi Chuan Instructor

Wushu among Chinese Moslems
China Sports series 2
B241: $9.95

The old saying "You can't judge a book by its cover", is really a two-edged sword that cuts both ways. Wushu Among Chinese Moslems has one of the worst titles of any Chinese published book. The cover picture is of a fez-wearing Moslem with a Kwan Do. To most westerners, this image is a strange clash of imagery. A close friend of mine who knows that I practice Kung Fu, but knows little of Chinese culture, actually gave me this book as a joke, since he thought it was completely absurd.

In China, Moslems (or Hui in Chinese) represent the largest minority population. The Hui are famous for their martial skill. Their major contributions to Northern Kung Fu includes Tan Tuy (or Tan Tui), and Cha Kin (or Zha style boxing). This book contains both of these sets, along with a 20 form qigong routine, a lethal application sequence titled "Boxing for the Brave" and a short biography on one of China's leading masters of this style, Wang Ziping.

As with most renditions of Tan Tui, this version is most similar to Sifu Lam's version (Videotape VSL02 @ $39.95) in the first few lines, with the last lines deviating to entirely different sequences. The same is true for Ma Zhenbang's treatise Ten Routine Spring Leg, book six of the Chinese Kung Fu series (B254 @ $7.75) and Chan Kin Man's Northern Shaolin Twelve Tantui Boxing Series (out of print). This stands to reason; The initial part of the set is passed down consistently since it is the first part that is taught. Later sequences suffer from more unstable transmissions. Over generations, various masters make alterations and improvements, possibly filling the gaps of anything that might be unclear, until the set evolves into an entirely new sequence. At this point, it would be difficult to determine which set is more accurate to the original. This information is not particularly relevant anyway. Validity of any set lies within meaningful execution. As long as all four variations retain their applicative intent, they all retain their validity. These different versions do provide a unique opportunity to examine variation in technique. Just as a serious student of music might study multiple renditions of a particular song, a serious student of Tan Tui should take advantage these multiple sources of information. Most of martial arts are passed down directly form teacher to student. Seldom are there three readily available sources of information for the student to examine.

The Zha style chapter details a set that we at Lam Kwoon know as Cha Kin #4. This set is taught "closed door" at Lam Kwoon. It is one of several odd sets that Sifu Lam has collected over the years, and will occasionally teach to his intermediate Shaolin students as supplementary material. Cha Kin is a complete system of its own. Although Sifu Lam is familiar enough with this set, since he does not specialize in this style, it seems inappropriate to add it to the videotape series. Our video company is in contact with a Cha style master from mainland China who has offered to work with us; however, this project (if it even comes to be) is scheduled for the distant future. We have many more exciting projects planned, and we will let you know as soon as these come to fruition. However, please do not ask us ahead of time, since it is hard to predict what the future may hold.

Wushu among Chinese Moslems is written in a clear and concise English, unlike so many of the books that are imported from China. This book contains a good collection of diverse material. It provides a solid reference on a sect of Kung Fu that is well known in China, but obscure in the United States.