If one deals with the Bo and the associated traditional techniques of Japanese Kobudo, one inevitably comes to the point of directing one's gaze towards the Chinese arts with the stick. A very well-known form of Chinese weapon is yīn shǒu gùn - 因 手 棍.
This traditional and very old form is still taught early to beginners in Shaolin monasteries. The name of the shape describes the grip position of both hands on the stick. The palms always point downwards.
In contrast to Kata of Bojutsu, which often appear very static and contain comparatively few spectacular techniques, the movements in the Chinese area are carried out with high dynamics, low body stances and a large variety of techniques with the weapon. This form usually occurs in different variations or is interpreted differently by the practitioner.
The Gùn, the stick as it is called in China, is much thinner and lighter because it is made of bamboo. Thus, in particular, rotations can be carried out at very high speed, which is much more difficult with a Rokushakubo, which is traditionally made of red oak. A stick that is too heavy also puts enormous strain on muscles, tendons and joints. Learning this form of weapon takes a lot of strength and endurance and requires a lot of patience before it can be carried out satisfactorily. A good exercise at the beginning is learning the unarmed Kung-Fu form Wu Bu Quan or Five Stances Fist. It contains five basic levels. All other forms build on it. Some of them are included in numerous forms of the Chinese martial arts.
The five positions are: Gong Bu (kite position), Ma Bu (horse position), Xie Bu (scissors position) and Pu Bu (deep, crouched position). Xu Bu (cat pose).
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