The Teacher
"There is no special move that is best, it all depends...... any move could be best.
It's up to you, when the time is right, to move correctly, accurately, and with great speed..."
- Martial Arts (1974)
It's up to you, when the time is right, to move correctly, accurately, and with great speed..."
- Martial Arts (1974)
Bruce Lee's performance over the death of his teacher in The Chinese Connection (1972), helped to galvanize the fact of the importance of a teacher in a student's life (as well as it's impact, when he dies). He may have been training with the teacher for a number of years or most of his life, but his devotion to him was never-ending. The student (possibly, having seen the teacher in action), might ask to be taken as his disciple and learn his method of fighting.
It is customary for the student to kneel in front of the teacher (in some cases bowing (3) times) before being taken in. The student may sometimes bring gifts such as Wine or Tobacco to the teacher, out of respect for accepting him as a disciple. Whether he was brought to him to study his method or helped him out of a predicament [hiding from a group of villains], the knowledge the teacher imparts, could serve the student for the rest of his life.
Being Accepted
"Teacher, ...... Please take me as your student!!" - This is perhaps, one of the most famous lines, spoken in about 70% of all kung-fu films. This is because, when these films originally started hitting theaters, most of them dealt with the "would-be" hero's mother, father, or family being killed and him, looking for a teacher. Just because he wanted a teacher, didn't mean that the teacher, wanted him!! Most teachers were recluses, who didn't care to become involves with the affairs of others. The thing that might change their relationship, would be if the teacher, came to the aid of someone (who couldn't fight).
Astounded by the teacher skill, the young man follows him around, until he agrees to take him as a student.
If he is accepted, the student (usually) has to get on his knees and Bow (3) times, to his new instructor. Sometimes, the student will get (or bring) his teacher a gift. This usually, comes in the form of a jug of Wine (which is always accepted, as all kung-fu teachers, seem to enjoy drinking wine) or a Pipe, for smoking (another favorite past-time for teachers).
If he is accepted, the student (usually) has to get on his knees and Bow (3) times, to his new instructor. Sometimes, the student will get (or bring) his teacher a gift. This usually, comes in the form of a jug of Wine (which is always accepted, as all kung-fu teachers, seem to enjoy drinking wine) or a Pipe, for smoking (another favorite past-time for teachers).
If it's at a school, the teacher will often take the person on, as a worker at the school. This way, if they have no money (which they never do), the teacher, could at least, get some work out of them, in exchange for instructions. The other reason this might be done, is so, the teacher can observe their work-ethic and tell if they are lazy or not.
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Teaching Techniques
The teacher, usually, gives the student a set of routines to practice. These are, normally, to teach him "Structure and Endurance" and to keep them from becoming lazy. The student, (in the beginning) may not take the training, as seriously as they should and the teacher knows this. So, to keep him honest, the teacher will (gradually) increase the difficulty of the routines, making the student work harder, to keep his concentration keen.
We are (usually) treated to some awesome training sequences, as the student is putting through some grueling (and sometimes torturous) training sessions, designed to "Make or Break" him. These are often, some of the same routines his teacher possibly went through, when he first begin learning his teacher's art. In about 90% of all kung-fu movies, the teacher has a "stick" or switch (small branch), which, he's not afraid to use on a lazy student. I think this element, was taken from the (actual) teaching of kids, in Peking Opera schools, as a method of "Keeping them in line" (discipline).
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The Teacher's Code
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Types Of Teachers
Teachers could be anyone, from a family member to a stranger. While, a teacher could be young or old, films showed them as older (wiser) type men, who looked as though, they'd lived a life, that gave them knowledge to impart on someone. Their backgrounds were, usually, vague and unless, they had family members with them, they rarely (if ever), spoke of them. Those that looked fraile, often, had tremendous strength, while, those who were stocky, were as nimble as a cat.
a) Relatives
(Generational Art)
Those taught by a relative (father, mother, uncle, aunt, grandfather), were usually, taught a style that was handed-down through generations. In some films, you will hear them say, "Our family's style..." and/or that the one about to be taught, is the last remaining heir to that (certain) style. This makes learning it, that much more important and there could be no shortcuts, as they had to learn the complete art, in order to pass it on to their kids. It's, often, an uncle or a grandfather, who ends up being the teacher, as the parents were killed off early (in most films), leaving another relative, responsible for the training.
The trouble was, that if the (hero/heroine) didn't know who the relative was, they'd have to find them. Secrecy amongst Kung-fu masters was widely known, as they often wanted to protect their art (and themselves) from outsiders wanting to learn their methods (or trying to eridicate it). When a relative is found, we (often) hear the scenario:
"Shao Hai, although the training is difficult, you must endure it, as it is the 1st step in teaching you the our family's "Fatal Fist" technique. You are the last remaining member of our family (clan), it is you birth-right, therefore, you must learn it!! It's the only way, that you can take revenge for the murder of your family and bring honor, back to our clan."
"Shao Hai, although the training is difficult, you must endure it, as it is the 1st step in teaching you the our family's "Fatal Fist" technique. You are the last remaining member of our family (clan), it is you birth-right, therefore, you must learn it!! It's the only way, that you can take revenge for the murder of your family and bring honor, back to our clan."
b) A Vagabond
Often, showcased by someone impersonating Simon Yuen (in a role he made famous ), here, we have (what appears to be) a drunken old man, who we later find out, has amazing fighting skills. He, usually, meets his (soon-to-be) student, by chance, with one helping the other out of a jam. At first, the student may not believe, that the old man can fight and after receiving a (thorough) beating, himself, does he realize, how wrong he was, about him. The old one, having taken a liking to the young man, decides to teach him his fighting method.
Later, after seeing that he can trust him, will he teach him his (own) secret method. This is the method that can counter certain strikes that, could (possibly) penertrate the teacher's initial style. Learning the teacher's advanced method, puts even greater responsibility in the students hands, as he will have to (carefully) perserve this style, while looking for ways to improve it (i.e., look for it's weaknesses).
"My boy, I've been teaching you my Secret Fist, all along...!!"
c) A Sifu at a School or on the Road
Some "would-be" students, will search around town for someone to teach them how to fight. Most towns often had a number of schools, that one could go to for instructions. Most teachers wanted you to pay for instructions, so anyone without money, was often, turned away. In most cases, this was to see how persistant a student was, as many often worked around the school to pay for the lessons they received. If you were turned away, yet, kept [constantly] coming back trying to make the teacher change his mind about training you, there was always the chance that the teacher would give in. They would do this to let the student see, just what was expected of him.
d) A Shaolin Monk
There were only a couple of ways that people were taught by Shaolin monks -
While, most people were asked to leave (once they'd recovered), some were given the opportunity to stay and learn the temple's methods of fighting. But, there was a catch - "They'd couldn't leave for at least (3) years, once they were admitted / accepted !!
- to be brought to the temple as an infant
- to be admitted the customary way
- Parents were killed and they were brought to Shaolin as a safe haven by a relative
- to be found injured (near temple grounds) and brought back for medical treatment
While, most people were asked to leave (once they'd recovered), some were given the opportunity to stay and learn the temple's methods of fighting. But, there was a catch - "They'd couldn't leave for at least (3) years, once they were admitted / accepted !!
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This was often the thing that encouraged most, to get better quickly.
That, along with the fact of knowing that :
(3) things that were constant in Kung-fu films. This let those who thought about staying there, seriously re-think about their lives, without those (3) elements. While, this was too much for some, others had different reasons (for wanting to be admitted) and felt that they would benefit more, from the teachings of Buddha. |
They may have had their whole family slaughtered or (possibly) nearly escaped death, themselves. They may have wanted a change from the the Death, Destruction, and Temptations, of everyday life. Others, who initially, wanted to learn how to fight (for the sake of Revenge), often, changed their views and put their past behind them. Though (in kung-fu films) this was never the case. They always ended up meeting the people who killed their family somwhere, and their revenge was extracted; always in a way, that they don't disobey their Buddhist beliefs.
e) Animals
- By watching Animals (monkeys/snakes/etc) or insects (preying mantis) and copying their movements and using them when fighting the enemy. Centuries ago, this was how many styles originated.
For some reason the animals depicted are always a Cat, Eagle, or a Monkey fighting a Snake. The reason behind this was because these animals had "lightning" fast reflexes and movements. Many of the fighting styles were said to have come from the movement of these animals and various films [often] highlighted these styles.
f) Outside Source
(2nd Teacher)
A relative or family friend of the teacher/student, where the student is sent to to further his studies or to learn another style. This does not go against the Teacher's Code if the teacher, himself, sent the student.
*** Another version might have the teacher dying and sends the student to someone else, versed in his style or another style suitable to counter the villain's techniques.
There are instances where the student makes up his own style, but he would have usually had some type of training before being able to do so, and be believable (Dirty Kung Fu - EEL style.
*** Another version might have the teacher dying and sends the student to someone else, versed in his style or another style suitable to counter the villain's techniques.
There are instances where the student makes up his own style, but he would have usually had some type of training before being able to do so, and be believable (Dirty Kung Fu - EEL style.
Teacher / Student Relationship
The Teacher (sifu) was the 2nd most important person in hero's life. The training, was the bond, between them. He taught him martial-arts, gave him shelter & food, taught him about life, and usually ends up dying for him. The harsh treatment during training is only used to toughen the student (mentally and physically) for the much harshier treatment he would, eventually, receive from the villain. If, the student was an orphan, the teacher would become the "Father-figure" in his life. They became each other's company, as both were, possibly, alone in the world.
EFFORT - When training a student, anything that they did together, could result in a training session - even eating. The kung-fu in certain films, have given Meal-time, a whole new meaning. Not only, did the student have to fight to eat, sometimes, he had to fight to get meat with his meals. As he got better, the easier he'd find the act of getting food in this manner. In essence, these little skirmishes were used to keep the student from being lazy and his mind sharp. It was to let him see, that at any time, he might have to fight (and possibly, for his life).
Food is used here, for (2) reasons: (Eating was a metaphor for Living)
- We need food for survival
- When you're hungry enough, you'll do whatever it takes to eat (including fight)
- You'll do whatever it takes, to achieve your goal +
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Showing Off
One rule that all teachers tried to enforce was that the student didn't Show Off, once he started learning kung fu.
If the teacher is hiding from a foe, his student may accidentally let others find him, by recognizing the style that the student openly displays. This is even more true, if the style displayed wasn't known by many others or the teacher was the last exponent of the style.
If the teacher is hiding from a foe, his student may accidentally let others find him, by recognizing the style that the student openly displays. This is even more true, if the style displayed wasn't known by many others or the teacher was the last exponent of the style.
More Than One Teacher
While this is not common practice with most teachers, it can sometimes work out more favorablly for the student. Students were encouraged to train with just (1) teacher and to treat his method as sacred and when it doesn't work for him, it just meant he wasn't working as hard as he should. Yet, with different teachers, students got a different perspectives and had to decide which (teacher's) method would work best for him in a given situation.
An excellent example of this is Samo Hung's Prodigal Son (1981). Yuen Biao learns Wing Chun from (2) brothers (trained by the same master), who have different opinions on how the art should be used to it's full advantage. While, neither teacher's method was wrong, it would be a combination of both methods that would, eventually, save the day.
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Fake Teachers
Students who want to learn kung-fu so badly, that they usually run into someone Posing as a kung-fu teacher. These so-called teachers use Tricks as their means of cheating would-be students out of their cash. The phoney teacher will gladly accept the money, knowing the student won't learn any real kung-fu.
The styles that they teach the student often have far-fetched names like Eel Fist, Shrimp Fist, or Duck Fist. The student usually finds out the hard way (by getting beat up), that the kung-fu is as fake as his teacher. Only after meeting a true master, will the student really learn anything worthwhile.
The styles that they teach the student often have far-fetched names like Eel Fist, Shrimp Fist, or Duck Fist. The student usually finds out the hard way (by getting beat up), that the kung-fu is as fake as his teacher. Only after meeting a true master, will the student really learn anything worthwhile.
In Snake In The Eagle's Shadow (1978), CHUI ? played a kung fu teacher, who was asked by a potential student, if he could break Bricks. He demonstrated by breaking a stack of breaks and afterwards shook the astounded young man's hand and walked away into another room. Yet, he was jumping around shaking his poor battered hand, while muffling in excruciating pain !! When the would-be student saw his badly bruised hand, he decided that that wasn't the place for him to learn kung-fu.
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Female Teachers
Teachers weren't always men. Some heroes also learned many fatal moves from Female teachers, who, sometimes put a different spin on teaching. In some cases, the male hero will exhibit feminine-like qualities from training in a female-styled art. One art used in a few films was the Embroidery Style. This was where the hero learned how to Sew and how deadly needles could be (when used properly). The males macho ego usually come into conflict with having a woman for a teacher.
When sparring against her, strikes to her Breasts (and Genitals) always added for a much more comical twist, even when it was, serious training. Bruce Lee mentioned in an article once, that his school's major fights were with the Choy Li-Fut students. The reason for fighting? Being teased that their art (Wing Chun) was founded by a Woman. Legendary hero Fong Sze-Yu, was also, supposedly, trained by his mother, who was said to be a fierce fighter.
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Forcing The Teachers Hand
As odd, as it might seem, some would-be student have Tricked their teachers into instructing them. They'd have to stoop to this method, because of an (earlier) possible run-in with the teacher, who (at the time), didn't view the person as a potential student. He might have be loud or brash, even a bit of a "show-off", bragging about what he could do (while, possessing, no real skill). It's, only, when the teacher seeing that he has a kind heart and a conscious, does he consider teaching him.
In The Crystal Fist, the young man (believing that the old cook, is placing all of the work on him), tries to abuse him in any way that he can (even making him break his own snuff-bottle). It's only, later (when he sees the old man working out in secret), that he wants to learn from him. But, it's not until the young man gets beaten to a pulp (by an old advesary of the teacher's) and the teacher finds out the boy is the son of his former student, does he begin to train him in earnest.
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Secret Locations
Sometimes, it's best not to train the student in town, where the villain and his men are searching for him (and/or his Teacher). Most vagabond-type teachers, always seemed to have some form of Hideaway, where he can secretly train the student, without any outside interference. This location is almost, always, deep within the forest.
The mountain locations, though excellent for seeing appraoching assailants, are almost never used for this. But, the forest, caves and secret hideaways were also used by teachers and students alike as training areas.
Another, common, secret place would have to be the teacher's home, usually, hidden in the woods. In this secret location, the teacher can spend countless hours training the student, without being disturbed. The fence is, usually, made of bamboo and rope, letting anyone see what was going on in the yard, with ease.
There always seemed to be (2) giant urns sitting in the yard, just made to help torture the student with some type of back-breaking exercises. Yet, the villains would always end up at the teacher's home by the end of the movie, either to fight or to burn it down. But, his home is always the setting for the teacher to impart some kind of serious knowledge to the student, as well as, eating, sleeping, and training.
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Some Of These Areas Include
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The Skillful Beggar
Viewed by most as the town's resident drunk or bum, their skill levels are hidden by the deception of their so-called plight. They pretend to be the drunk that everyone sees them as, which means, most never bothered them. No one took them seriously enough, to ever think that they could be a master of anything, besides drinking wine. This ruse, is usually given away, when they must come to the aid of someone getting beaten so severely, that their conscious just won't allow it anymore.
Once they step-in, they virtually let others know, that they could possibly beat anyone in town, if they chose to. This makes the person they saved (usually a young man), follows them around the town, begging them to take him as a student. While, the people that they escaped from, want to know just how good their skills really are, continue to hunt them down. It is usually here, where the beggar takes the young man under his wing and begins to teach him, his chosen style. Most beggars were often sick or injured in such a way, that the new student's youth and vitality, can aid the teacher, when going up against a much stronger opponent.
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The Master Blow (Death Blow)
This is usually one of the most prevailent characteristics of all kung-fu films. The teacher trains the student in a special technique or method (which, he has developed over the years) that will counter and defeat the villain. The hero and the villain must have a final showdown and this will be where the Master Blow comes into play. No matter, how badly, the hero was getting beaten up, at the end of the film, this strike, would always, come into play. For most films, it would be the only strike the hero had left in his arsenal (after trying everything else).
The teacher had honed the skill for this blow over the years, but for some reason or another, he didn't possess the strength (or Speed) needed to make it work. So, he trained the student in this method, which had to be utilized at a precise moment (to be successful), in order to catch the opponent in his moment of helplessness. The intensity of the blow, can have a varying effect on the person hit (as well as the audience). Fans, got used to seeing blood gurgling from the mouth of someone hit by the infamous "Death Blow". Later films, would raise-the-bar, by having blood stream from the person's "Eyes", when hit by a vicious strike.
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Evil Teachers
There are those times when a student, so intent on being taught some form of fighting, will fall prey to a teacher with devious intentions. While the student is taught how to fight, his training is a means to an end, where the teacher's true motives are finally revealed. These types of teachers are known to kill everyone who learns of these intentions, showing no mercy to anyone, even students or former classmates. They, usually, teach someone (that they can control), a portion of their method, in order, to "draw out" a foe or specific people of interest. They know that this person, will be looking for anyone using their fighting style, so they bait the trap, by teaching someone, who has nothing to do with their quarrel.
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Evil Students
Sometimes, a teacher has a student who (mostly out of jealousy or greed) wants to be the sole exponent of their style. To him, being number one, isn't the same as being the only one, who knows this fighting method. He usually plots to do away with anyone who stands in his way to achieve this end ______ including his Teacher !!
It doesn't bother him that the teacher, may have taken him in and taught him virtually everything he knows. His main goal is Power and this is just a means to that end. With his teacher dead, he could possibly be the only surviving heir to their kung-fu style, thus making him a very important person. If, it turns out that there is another exponent of their style somewhere, chances are, he'll be trying to kill him off, too.
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Good Student / Bad Student
This is where both men have the same teacher and one is a good student, while the other one becomes corrupted by greed and/or lust. Though they have learned the same method of fighting, one is usually better than the other and even this can cause friction between them. Or, there's a female that likes one of them more, causing the other student to feel rejected.
Whatever the circumstances, these two friends are now seperated, as one feels he must seek revenge on his classmate. The teacher can usually sense these things, but, sometimes, it's out of his control. Even when one student feels slighted because the teacher is training the other one in a special technique. By showing one more favorable treatment than the other, leaves the door open for even the Teacher, to be killed by the vengeful student.
Films that showcase this
- Soul Of Chiba
- 7 Grandmasters
- The Big Fight
- Revenge Of Fists Of Fury
- Drunken Arts, Crippled Fists
Challenging The Teacher
Films that showcase this
- The 7 Grandmasters
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Secret Training Manuals
Even if a style was passed down through one's family, they were usually kept in books or training manuals. These books were considered sacred because they were the only records to a certain style, if a living exponent wasn't around. These books were often kept in the most secluded places, as not to fall in the wrong hands (a renegade student or an exponent of another style), which would mean trouble for the teacher and/or his extisting students. Teachers normally passed on these manuals to their top student before they (teachers) died.
Sometimes these manuals were stolen to give an exponent of the same style the edge over his classmates. Other times, they were stolen by exponents of different styles, to be able to counter techniques to be used against them in a fight. Often, tattered and torn, some manuals were found in such bad conditions that their contents couldn't be translated, thus a great deal of information about an art, was lost forever (unless a senior exponent of the style was found).
Films that showcase this
- The 7 Grandmasters
- The Shaolin Plot
- Eagle's Fist
- The Young Dragon
- The Magnificent
- Stroke Of Death
- The 4 Invincibles
- Killer From Above
- Treasure Of Bruce Lee
- Executioners From Shaolin
- Snake In The Eagle's Shadow
Style Extinction
Sometimes a teacher (without any kids of his own), will seek out a trustworthy student to teach his fighting method to. This was usually, because he was the last remaining exponent of his style and he wanted to pass it on to a future generation. With someone he can trust, he knew that the style wouldn't die with him and that others who learned the art, could pass it on.
Whether the art was taught in a temple or in secret, the teacher knew that it could die out and become extinct, if there are no other exponents of that style. To a teacher, this was very important and was a tremendous burden to put on unworthy shoulders. Thus, he had to make sure, that the person he picked as his successor, would be able to pass the art along to future generations correctly.
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