Most Practical Weapon?
As a kung fu instructor, I am often asked, "What is
the most practical weapon to learn?". Is it a spear?
A sword? Or perhaps a chainwhip? In trying to
answer this question, I realized that I don't usually
carry any of these weapons with me everyday. If
the weapon is not with me when I need it, then can
it truly be considered useful? This does not imply
that spear, sword or chainwhip skills are completely
useless; any of them may be the best weapon. The
"best" weapons are the weapons that are at hand
when a situation arises.
the most practical weapon to learn?". Is it a spear?
A sword? Or perhaps a chainwhip? In trying to
answer this question, I realized that I don't usually
carry any of these weapons with me everyday. If
the weapon is not with me when I need it, then can
it truly be considered useful? This does not imply
that spear, sword or chainwhip skills are completely
useless; any of them may be the best weapon. The
"best" weapons are the weapons that are at hand
when a situation arises.
The Wooden Bench
The wooden bench was once an ordinary and
common piece of furniture in China that could be
found in street side restaurants, taverns, and in
homes. The wooden bench emerged as a street
fighting weapon because it was something that was
readily available and could be used very effectively.
The wooden bench was an effective weapon primarily
because it wasn't a weapon at all. A bench is a piece
of furniture; it was not commonly viewed as a weapon.
In orthodox marital arts schools, students learned how
to use and defend against standard weapons,
because it was standard weapons that were most
likely to be possessed or encountered. When
confronted with an agitated person swinging around
furniture, it is very intimidating because it is difficult to
anticipate how that person or how the furniture he
wields will behave. Unorthodox weapons have an
advantage over orthodox minded opponents.
common piece of furniture in China that could be
found in street side restaurants, taverns, and in
homes. The wooden bench emerged as a street
fighting weapon because it was something that was
readily available and could be used very effectively.
The wooden bench was an effective weapon primarily
because it wasn't a weapon at all. A bench is a piece
of furniture; it was not commonly viewed as a weapon.
In orthodox marital arts schools, students learned how
to use and defend against standard weapons,
because it was standard weapons that were most
likely to be possessed or encountered. When
confronted with an agitated person swinging around
furniture, it is very intimidating because it is difficult to
anticipate how that person or how the furniture he
wields will behave. Unorthodox weapons have an
advantage over orthodox minded opponents.
Today, wooden benches are not as commonly
found as in 19th century China. In fact it is quite
hard to find traditional style benches nowadays.
The wooden bench, however, remains a
reminder to martial artists of one of the essential
concepts of Chinese kung fu; that kung fu is not
a mystical entity only found in remote temples on
sacred mountain tops, nor is it an activity that is
confined within the walls of a local martial arts
school. It is an element that surrounds you, in all
things; a resource available to those who are
resourceful enough to extract it.
found as in 19th century China. In fact it is quite
hard to find traditional style benches nowadays.
The wooden bench, however, remains a
reminder to martial artists of one of the essential
concepts of Chinese kung fu; that kung fu is not
a mystical entity only found in remote temples on
sacred mountain tops, nor is it an activity that is
confined within the walls of a local martial arts
school. It is an element that surrounds you, in all
things; a resource available to those who are
resourceful enough to extract it.
This bench is available through
Wing Lam Enterprises. It is a very
solid bench and thus is quite
heavy (heavier than it looks). Not
the best structure for single
handed swinging as the bench is
heavy and the legs have angular
corners, but good for traditional
forms and for developing upper
body strength.
Wing Lam Enterprises. It is a very
solid bench and thus is quite
heavy (heavier than it looks). Not
the best structure for single
handed swinging as the bench is
heavy and the legs have angular
corners, but good for traditional
forms and for developing upper
body strength.
Wooden Bench
Stock #W048
Price $64.95
USD
www.wle.com
Stock #W048
Price $64.95
USD
www.wle.com
Photo courtesy of Claire Bourne
"More than a team, we're brothers"
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