Who Invented Kung Fu? History & Origins

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In summary, Chinese martial arts have a very long and storied history. There is no one style that is definitively credited with inventing kung fu, but Shaolin Kung fu, developed in China from Indian martial arts, is the style most commonly associated with the term. Other styles, such as Tai chi, are known to be village arts from a specific family and may have several different founders. David Carradine is generally considered the first western actor to popularize kung fu on television with his role in the TV show The Green Hornet.
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mesa
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The title pretty much says it all, anybody know who invented Kung Fu?
 
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Martial arts has a very long and storied history in many countries, kingdoms and empires. I don't think there's a definitive answer. Shaolin Kung fu in China is a derivative of Indian martial arts that were further refined into what we see today. Other styles such a Tai chi are known to be village arts from a specific family. Every style will have its founder and the founder will have learned an earlier style which he/she didn't like and so improved and renamed it.

A more recent example is Bruce Lee who's basic style was Wing Chun (developed by the Shaolin Nun Ng Mui) which he combined with many other existing styles both western and eastern to create Jeet Kune Do (way of the intercepting fist).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wing_chun

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeet_kune_do

Martial arts goes through a form of evolution dropping techniques that don't work and replacing them with better techniques that do and from time adopting the name of teacher.
 
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Someone who had a lot of free time.
 
  • #4
Akaisora said:
Someone who had a lot of free time.

I suspect they got paid to teach by being a trainer for some private or regional army especially if they were good. Nowadays they go into acting and use a lot of wires.
 
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In the US, it was David Carradine.
 
  • #6
SteamKing said:
In the US, it was David Carradine.

Except Bruce Lee as Kato in the Green Hornet was what got me interested. The Kung Fu tv show was the idea of Bruce Lee. He pitched it to the studio, they rejected the idea thinking Bruce wouldn't be able to attract an audience. They resurrected it and picked Caradine as the lead.
 
  • #7
mesa said:
The title pretty much says it all, anybody know who invented Kung Fu?

The people who invented zero...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parashurama#Kalaripayattu
Kalaripayattu is known as the 'mother of all martial arts'.[18]
Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, also practiced kalaripayattu. When he traveled to China to spread Buddhism, he brought the martial art with him, which in turn was adapted to become the basis of Shaolin Kung Fu

EDIT: some further research shows this to be based more on myths than facts.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Bodhidharman_(Kung_Fu_Founder)
 
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Evo said:

I just googled "Kung Fu".

Chinese martial arts, colloquially referred to as kung fu or gung fu (Chinese: 功夫; pinyin: gōngfu), and wushu (simplified Chinese: 武术; traditional Chinese: 武術; pinyin: wǔshù), are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China.
 
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Evo said:
I just googled "Kung Fu".

I'm trying to cut back on Google :)
 
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One other thing to note is that while kung fu is the popular western term, in China they would use wu-shu (martial arts) or more properly "kung fu wu shu" ie having a skilled achievement in martial arts for a practitioner.
 

Related to Who Invented Kung Fu? History & Origins

1. Who is considered the founder of Kung Fu?

The exact origins of Kung Fu are debated, but the Shaolin Monks are credited with developing the fundamental movements and principles of the martial art in the 5th century. However, many different individuals and groups have contributed to the evolution of Kung Fu over time.

2. When was Kung Fu first created?

As mentioned, the Shaolin Monks began developing Kung Fu in the 5th century. However, it is believed that the roots of Kung Fu can be traced back even further to ancient Chinese martial arts developed during the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC).

3. Is Kung Fu a Chinese martial art?

Yes, Kung Fu originated in China and is considered one of the oldest and most traditional martial arts in the world. It is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and philosophy, incorporating elements of Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.

4. How did Kung Fu spread to other parts of the world?

In the early 20th century, Kung Fu masters began traveling and teaching their art in other countries, such as the United States and Europe. Additionally, Kung Fu became popularized through movies and television, further spreading its influence and popularity globally.

5. Is there one definitive style of Kung Fu?

No, there are actually hundreds of different styles and variations of Kung Fu, each with its own unique techniques, principles, and origins. Some well-known styles include Wing Chun, Tai Chi, and Shaolin Kung Fu, but there are many more that have developed over time.

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