There's a shao lin kung fu performance/demonstration/show going on here in Lima right now.
Actually, my best friend and her bf must already be there right now
![Big Grin :D](./images/smilies/4.gif)
I was gonna tag along... but I gots the cold
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/2.gif)
*bows and leaves*
Moderators: Don Alexander, midgetshrimp
Shaolin today isn't what it was. It's little more than party tricks to impress dumb peasants these days. Here's a hint: if it involves cartwheels or balancing on your head, it's not a real martial art.Bear wrote:I'd like to see you go up to a shaolin kung fu master and say that since Shaolin Kung-fu is the route form for many martial arts styles.
Boogiepop Phantom is pure cool to me, but I don't know what age it'd be aimed at.harbino wrote:Living in England and being addicted to anime, manga and RPGs makes me crave Japanese culture... Living in England creates that problem because unlike the US and those places, there is no Japanese area of towns, no Chinatown or anything.
I want to go to Japan, but don't know the language... don't you think Japanese babes are cute?
BTW can anyone recommend any anime designed for 17yr old males? Don't say Naruto, Bleach because I don't like them. Don't say Love Hina, Elfen Lied, Fruits Basket, Azumanga Daioh and Chobits because I have seen them.
I'm not sure of the age group for them, but I really enjoyed the Ghost in the Shell, Full Metal Alchemist, Wolf's Rain, and Cowboy Bebop series, as well as Appleseed and Macross. I have a limited anime exposure, seeing as the other animes I've been able to see are Love Hina (a couple episodes), Escaflowne (all but the last episode), Spirited Away, and the first half of Dragoon.harbino wrote:Living in England and being addicted to anime, manga and RPGs makes me crave Japanese culture... Living in England creates that problem because unlike the US and those places, there is no Japanese area of towns, no Chinatown or anything.
I want to go to Japan, but don't know the language... don't you think Japanese babes are cute?
BTW can anyone recommend any anime designed for 17yr old males? Don't say Naruto, Bleach because I don't like them. Don't say Love Hina, Elfen Lied, Fruits Basket, Azumanga Daioh and Chobits because I have seen them.
Shaolin originated from India. It began as aan actual martial art. Thus Buddhist monk guy from India was doing the "walking monk" thing, which is how Hinduism and Buddhism spread throughout much of Asia. He went into China, gave a demonstration to the emperor, and asked if he could set up a temple to teach people his mojo. The emperor agreed, gave him a spot called Shaolin, which meant "wooded hill" or something. Since then, the Shaolin guys were at times royal guards, outlaws, reclusive monks, and various other things. A big problem arose with the absolute destruction of the temple and the death of all its members. It was re-established afterward, but there's no way to know whether the martial art taught after it was re-established was the same as the original.Bear wrote:Manchester and London both have Chinatown areas... We really need Little Tokyo's though...
And Shaolin still is exactly what it always was. It takes alot of skill and discipline to be able to balence on your head and do cartwheels as you put it. Just because its been dressed up to show it off to the world doesn't mean that it can't be used as an effective combat form. Wushu is a prime example of that. A primarily performance art that can still be turned into an effective combat form if needed.
The Irresponsible Captain Tylor.harbino wrote: BTW can anyone recommend any anime designed for 17yr old males? Don't say Naruto, Bleach because I don't like them. Don't say Love Hina, Elfen Lied, Fruits Basket, Azumanga Daioh and Chobits because I have seen them.
Considering that's not all they do, it's a pretty narrow view you have. Shaolin Kung Fu is still Kung Fu, there are many different forms with different purposes. Some are aggressive, while others are more passive, whereas others still are completely meditative. Once you get into weapon forms, though, I don't care what you say they do. The control over those destructive implements is definitely not useless in any way, shape, or form.Scaramouche wrote:But what we do know, from simple observation, is that it's now mostly athleticism, gymnastics, and party tricks. They don't fight in wars. They don't serve as bodyguards. They don't even enter boxing matches. There's a reason for this. Flipping over on your head won't hurt anyone.
Go to: http://mgray.hopto.org/ArmyPubs/Publications/index.htmlmidgetshrimp wrote:Also, having to do with bodyguards and going to war and such... of course they don't. It's melee combat. War isn't so much about melee combat anymore. I can shoot you. Your hands and weapons do nothing. All martial arts are outdated in that respect. Modern warfare is not a hand to hand affair, barring extenuating circumstances, of course. It's rare when gun doesn't get the job done.