Sharing of Newspaper Articles
Nathaniel Lead Class
-Dynasty overviews
-Confusius, Taoism, Buddhism
-Warriors, Training, Tactics, Weaponry, Technology, Sun Tzu
-Shaolins, History, Ideas, Training
-Stances, Energy, Force, Weapons, Martial, Movements, Mind
Here are Nathaniel's notes he shared:
HSIA DYNASTY (LEGENDARY) (2000-1500 BCE, Bronze Age)
Legendary philosopher-king Fu Hsi is reputed to have invented the eight symbols used in divination.
SHANG DYNASTY (1500-1000 BCE)
Composite bow invented. Chariot, in widespread use.
Light plated armour worn by nobles made from turtle shells tied together with cords, later bronze and leather armor, very decorative and heavy.
The Book of Changes (I Ching) written.
Martial arts trace back to 1122 BCE. Archery, fencing and wrestling by nobles.
EASTERN OR EARLY CHOU DYNASTY (770-256 BCE)
Beginning of era of civil wars and the growth of chariot warfare, holding three soldiers, as a principal occupation of nobles.
The Spring and Autumn Period (722-481 BCE)
560 Li Erh (Lao-Tzu) born. He writes the Tao-te Ching and founds the Taoist school of thought.
Confucius born (551 or 552 BCE). Works to make Lu a great unified power, assisting in tearing down three strongholds held by three families in the area.
Sun-Tzu born during this time and gains experience as a general.
506 Battle of Bai Ju – After traveling up the Hwai river, Sun Tzu was assaulted by two Ch’u armies. Seeing that the opposition had a numerical and terrain advantage, Sun Tzu feigned a retreat, only to turn and attack the Ch’u once their forces were somewhat scattered and on open ground. After this decisive victory, the Wu pursued Ch’u to Ying, the capital of the Ch’u Empire and crushed them. King Shao of Ch’u fled to Chin and asked for asylum.
500 Cast iron weapons begin to appear.
The Warring States Period (480-222 BCE)
Traditional date of Confucius' death (479 BCE)
247-210 Reign of Cheng, Ruler of Ch’in – One of the greatest generals in Chinese history. Developed a powerful shock cavalry, developed after years of experience fighting the Mongolian nomads.
Sword first introduced as a weapon. Stirrups adopted. Crossbow widely used.
CH'IN DYNASTY (221-207 BCE)
221 – Emperor Qin Shih Huang orders the construction of the Great Wall of China. Created the first proffessional army in China, replacing conscripts and farmers with full time soldiers.
210 Qin Shi Huang, first emporer of China dies. Terracotta army buried with him.
Over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses. Also many other non military figures such as musicians and acrobats. Coat of plates standard armor.
WESTERN HAN DYNASTY (206 BCE-8 CE)
201: Invasion of the Mongols (Hsiung-nu) – Under Mo Du, the barbarian Mongols pierce the Great Wall with an army of over 300,000 men. Defeat Chinese forces.
200: Bronze weapons, armor and tools completely replaced by iron. Easier to clear land, more food = more free time => more trade and roads originally made for military are used for trade.
140-87: Era of massive state expansion through war, financed by heavy taxation.
WANG MANG (9-23 CE)
EASTERN HAN DYNASTY (25-220 CE)
Hua To, a famous surgeon introduces animal forms as a series of excercises based on animal movements. Tiger, Deer, Bear, Monkey, and Bird. This becomes the influence for many animal based martial arts. Hua To’s influence as a healer also means that the highest ideal in martial arts is to learn how to heal, not just harm.
THREE KINGDOMS (220-265 CE, an age of political division)
NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN DYNASTIES (316-589 CE)
464: The first Shaolin Monastery abbot was Batuo (also called Fotuo or Buddhabhadra, not to be confused with Bodhidharma) a dhyana master who came to China from India in to spread Buddhist teachings.
527: Legend of Bodhidharma as being disturbed by the poor physical shape of the Shaolin monks, after which he instructed them in techniques to maintain their physical condition as well as teaching meditation. Perhaps Eight Brocade or Animal forms. Later evolved into over 72 different martial techniques and practices. Internal (tendonds and spirit/chi) and External (muscle based power) martial arts ie:Tai Chi, Xing Yi, Bhagua are internal while the majority of types of Kung Fu are external.
SIX KINGDOMS (589-618 CE)
Wang Wei (699-759 CE)
T’ANG DYNASTY (618-907)
Martial arts becomes very popular.
China’s age of chivalry.