Special Collector's Set:

The Authentic Transmission of
WHITE CRANE


SIX softbound books collected in a box,
US $ 69.95

Click on picture for more detailed version

This set of books, published by our associate, Lion Publishers, brings together historical WHITE CRANE KUNG FU manuals from the Qing dynasty. Not one of these has been issued in a modern edition and this series is a valuable collection for researchers and enthusiasts. The six volumes are almost entirely TEXT and have very few pictures. Commentary by two modern masters is added.

Note: This is not a cheap set. But it is beautiful. The covers of these books are embossed (raised) and gorgeously colored and designed. The whole set comes boxed (which due to shipping MAY be dinged a little). The Chinese font is elegant and there are facsimiles of the original editions included in many cases. For someone doing scholarly, translational work or just for the enthusiast we recommend these. At about $10.00 US per volume there's little reason to hesitate. We get shipments about periodically from Lion, so if we don't have the series please be patient.

Authentic Methods of White Crane Boxing Passed Down From Generations

1. Yongchun Zheng Li-Shu's Teaching Text: no author, evidence indicates that this was written in the Qing dynasty. This manual has two parts: the first called Fist Methods taught at BaiLian Temple. The second part shows treatments for internal and external injuries. This is not a simple translation and there is a good deal of vernacular in the Chinese. The numerous anatomical charts are quite quaint.

2. "Authentic Teaching Handed Down from The White Crane Immortal Teacher": Written in the Qing dynasty, Emperor Qian Long (1736-95) period. The author, was called Lin Dong. And he was a fifth generation inheritor. Of the entire set this manual contains the most information on the guiding principles of the four forms of Crane Boxing; i.e. Feeding Crane, Flying Crane, Perching Crane, Whooping Crane. Much of this material may be lucky to survive as some was destroyed in a fire and this comes from a hand copied edition. This material - with illustrations of figures - is probably the most "hands on " of the volumes with descriptions of evasive methods, strikes and other fundamental elements of the art.

3. Authentic Methods of White Crane Boxing: No author listed. This text appears to have been written before than the other manuals. This book emphasizes combat applications and features several line drawings

4. Major Points: Zheng Qiao, a 5th generation inheritor, is the author here. This text was written around 1795. Its literary style is more common and its attitude more practical. It summarizes Zheng Qiao's experiences teaching the White Crane Boxing system.

5. Taoyuan Boxing: Taoyuan is not a real place. It is a Utopian land of harmony that fits in a number of legends, particularly Taoist ones. The town of Yong Chun (not related to Wing Chun Style) was also known as "Taoyuan" a very long time ago. The Yong Chun area is very important in the history of White Crane Boxing. It has a section on opponents which discusses practical fighting situations. Xiao Bao Shi, its author, was a 5th generation disciple. The manual comes from the Qing dynasty, circa 1796.

6. "White Crane Boxing's Founder Fang Qi-Niang": Written sometime in late Qing dynasty this manual is not attributed to any author. This book discusses teaching methodology. It suggests that the "Three Battles" form be the first practice set. The Three Battles form acknowledged as the model for San Chin Kata; a very important element of many karate styles.