With schools closing and a younger generation turning to MMA, many are wondering if kung-fu has a future.
It began in the 1950s when U.S. servicemen returned from the 38th parallel with a whirling dervish of a Korean self-defense system that was faster and more powerful than anything seen in the West.
A decade later, buoyed by judo’s inclusion in the Olympic Games, Japan’s traditional grappling art wrestled control from tae kwon do and rode a wave of popularity into the 1970s.
Then came Bruce Lee. Then came Kwai Chang Caine. Then came the kung-fu explosion, which lasted until Sho Kosugi and Steven K. Hayes and Dr. Masaaki Hatsumi stealthed in the era of the ninja.
Which lasted until the early 1990s, when a slight, wisp of a Brazilian named Royce Gracie proved style over substance will always be a winning combination. Capturing three of the first fours UFC’s, while surrendering as much as 100 pounds, Gracie showed his family’s system chokes and balances was superior to anything available on the market.
Which leads us to 2009 and the most prolific (financially, at least) martial arts explosion in history. Mixed martial arts, and its highly successful offshoots—UFC 100 was staged in Las Vegas before a packed Mandalay Bay crowd—has gobbled up every traditional style in its path. Traditional karate and kung-fu schools in cities big and small, long neighborhood cornerstones, are closing up shop faster than you can say “usshhhh.”
Tournaments historically attracting thousands are now seeing empty rings and dwindling profits. Traditional schools that bowed at the feet of Bodidharma and Funakoshi have been forced to add modern and contemporary to their brochures. The question is not when it will get better, but if it will ever get better.
Kung-fu has been hit especially hard. It seems that today’s generation is more about steel and less about mettle; more about blood and less about sweat. Unswerving in its allegiance to 3,000 years of tradition, sifu are hell bent on preserving the deep roots of their art. Even at the expense of their art. At a recent Chinese martial arts event, Inside Kung-Fu eight of kung-fu’s hierarchy to provide a solution. On one hand they are resigned to years of suffering; on the other, they believe the true strength of their art will survive any attack on its foundation.
--D.C.
Doug Wong – Grandmaster, White Lotus Kung-Fu
“Traditional kung-fu, as we know it, is pretty much gone, unless your in the big city where there is a better chance of finding a teacher. The smaller cities are all above MMA training.
Right now, people’s schedules have changed and they are doing things other than martial arts. I think we are all hoping a new generation will find martial arts, especially kung-fu, and a new surge of excitement will develop as fans see the greatness of Chinese martial arts.”
Antwoine Alferos – Chinese Martial Arts Master
“Tradition is not dead, but it’s harder and harder to come by. We’re the dinosaurs. But at the same time, tradition will never disappear as long as we as stylists continue to embrace history. I run the traditional divisions at the San Diego Grandnationals and were trying to maintain those traditional parts of Chinese martial arts. For example, in our weapons divisions we don’t allow anything lightweight. Competitors have to use weighted traditional weapons and the forms have to be consistent with traditional-style forms.
“Like everything else, Chinese martial arts goes in cycles. Even contemporary wushu realized there was a piece of their history they were missing and now they are trying to embrace that.”
Nina Sugawara – Internal Martial Arts Master
“The problem is that every single school has its own event and they don’t support the others. Plus, they won’t come to this kind of event because, it’s mixed and they might not win. The only way to keep traditional martial arts growing is to change humanity. I don’t know any other way.”
Carrie Ogawa-Wong – Chinese Martial Arts Master
“As tough as it will be, I am hoping that tradition remains an integral part of Chinese martial arts. But it won’t be easy. Even in tournaments that feature Chinese divisions, we are seeing traditionalists change their forms for the competition.
“There’s no question that kung-fu has been taking a bit of a hit the past few years. Those of us who practice traditional martial arts just need to stick together. We’ll come back, maybe never as strong as the 1970s, but certainly we’ll regain some of our statue as one of the world’s top disciplines.”
Tony Puyot – Northern Mantis Master
“Traditional kung-fu will come back. For it to survive you have to take the fantasy portion out and put the practicality put back on. People need to start training with combat in mind. Then you will see kung-fu cross over in law enforcement training and MMA competitions.
“Those valuable kung-fu skills will give validity to a truly wonderful art. Right now, kung-fu training is devalued because it doesn’t get the exposure of other arts.”
Ruben Littlejohn – Tai Chi Master
“Kung-fu will not only continue to survive but eventually flourish once again. However, we as sifu and teachers need to begin to adapt what we have. We have always tried to maintain the traditionalism throughout the years while other arts have continued to evolve. I see the value in maintaining what works, but if we have things in our system that don’t work we have to try to improve on what currently exists.
Ming Lum – Northern Shaolin Grandmaster
“Kung-fu will go on despite the economics, despite the emergece of MMA. Kung-fu will survive, as it has for the past 3,000 years. It is only natural for things to go in cycles. I am very confident in the future of kung-fu. The proof can be seen in the thousands of kids in schools across the country who are making Chinese martial arts their passion.”
Carl Totton – Internal Martial Arts Master
“I think that with the phenomenon of Bruce Lee and the phenomenon of the ‘Kung Fu” TV series will never be matched; it will be difficult to capture that same excitement and fascination. However, there is a conflux of several other things like health and complementary services we can provide. Kung-fu, tai chi and chi kung will someday become a part of a more natural approach to health and well being. Someday, kung-fu, tai chi and chi kung
are going to reach a wider and more general audience.”
Sam Kuoha – Kara-Ho Kempo Grandmaster I think everyone is now interested in programming their martial arts to make it more suitable for the public, as opposed to getting back to realism and tradition. Historically, martial arts goes through 10-year cycles where something new or different captures the public’s imagination. Kung-fu is here and will always be here. I think it will not only come back, but come back stronger than ever.
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