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Weapons of Choy Li Fut

 

Choy Li Fut is well known for having a vast variety of weapons. Throughout the history of Chinese culture most weapons were created and practiced through necessity, especially during times of war. Weapons were increasingly used as a means of defense. Monks turned to their spades and canes, while farmers used their hoe, rakes, sticks, and horse benches for personal protection.

 

Having teachers from both the Northern and Southern systems, Chan Heung was able to master a large number of weapons within the Shaolin system. Originally the Shaolin system contained 40 weapons. Since Chan Heung passing most of the past masters have contributed different weapons to the system giving Choy Li Fut a even wider range of variety of weapons to the system. Chan Heung has also created a weapon only unique to Choy Li Fut, this is the Nine Dragon Trident 九龍大叉 Gau Lung Dai Chah. To this day, there are still Choy Li Fut schools contributing different weapons to the system.

 

Training with weapons is part of the curriculum at SFMA. Through weapons training students are challenged and thus develop further in the system. Students don't just learn weapons because of the curriculum of the school. Nowadays the use of weapons is more for the health and developing of a stronger body rather as a means to protect yourself. As hand forms, weapon forms teaches us coordination, strength and stamina. Weapons are also good for weight training giving you a complete different training aspect. Having the variety of short, long, flexible and double weapons each weapon has a different weight or aspect to control, this is why repeating and continue practicing is a key to controlling each weapon. To control a weapon, you need to control your body and mind first, therefor the first training you do in traditional Kung Fu doesn't include weapons. After all a weapon is a mere extension of your body. Training with weapons will also influence your striking or grabbing as the wrist will develop more by the grip you have holding the variety of weapons.  

 

Below is a selection of the main weapon types and categories, not all the weapons are listed.

 

Short Weapon:

  • Do 刀 Broadsword 

  • Gim 劍 Straightsword

  • Quai Jeung 拐杖 Cane

  • Sin 扇 Fan 

  • Yu San 雨傘 Umbrella

  • Dung Siu 洞簫 Flute

  • Kiu Dang 橋櫈 Horse bench

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Long Weapon:

  • Gwun 棍 Staff

  • Cheong 槍 Spear

  • Dai Pah 大耙 Trident 

  • Chahn 鏟 Spade 

  • Chor Tau 鋤頭 Farmer's Hoe

  • Dai Ban Fu 大板斧 Long Handled Axe

  • Kwan Do 関刀 General Kwan’s Sword

  • Gau Chi Pah 九齒耙 Nine Teeth Rake

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Flexible Weapon:

  • Yuan Bin 節鞭 Chain Whip

  • Dai So Ji Gwun 大梢子棍 Two-Section staff

  • Sam Jit Gwun 三節棍 Three-Section Staff

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Double Weapons:

  • Seung Do 双刀 Double Broadsword

  • Seung Pei Sau 双匕首 Double Daggers

  • Seung Fu 双斧 Double Axes

  • Wu Sau Seung Ngau 護手双鈎 Double Hookswords

  • Wu Dip Seung Do 蝴蝶双刀 Double Butterfly Knives

  • Seung Tung Chui 双銅錘 Double Melon Hammers

  • Seung Tung Gan 双銅鐧 Double Copper Cudgels 

  • Dahn Do Tang Pah Dip 单刀籐牌碟 Broadsword and Rattan Shield

  • Seung Fu Tau Pah 双虎頭牌 Double Tiger's Head Shields

  • Seung Fung Fuo Lun 双風火輪 Double Wind and Fire Wheels

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