Chinese Martial Arts a Hit in Japan

If you thought Chinese martial arts are only popular in China, take a look at this. The 26th annual Wushu Taijiquan Championships kicked off in Japan, featuring thousands of martial arts enthusiasts from all over the country. NTDs Tokyo bureau has more on this story.

Taijiquan, long-range punch, and other traditional Chinese martial arts techniques are on display at a competition organized by Japan Wushu Taijiquan Federation.

[Kyuhei Muraoka, JWTF Vice President]: (Japanese, male)
This time around 2,100 challengers from all over Japan participated. The oldest is 78 years old, and the youngest is seven years old. Recently, younger people have begun participating more and I am happy about that.

Exactly how did Chinese-rooted martial arts become so popular in Japan? Martial arts instructor Sun Jianming says he has the answer.

[Sun Jianming, Martial Arts Instructor]: (Chinese, male)
I think the main reason is that Chinese martial arts has a certain charm and 'fits' the body well. It isnt only for keeping fit, but also to teach courtesy and morality. Japanese people's politeness is famous throughout the world, but morality in Chinese martial arts has another meaning.

Bringing more than 20 years experience as an instructor, Sun won the national male fencing and male Taijiquan championships in mainland China before starting to train Japans top martial artists in 1986.

He's also excited about NTD's Chinese Traditional Martial Arts Competition. Sun says it's an effective way to restore the ancient tradition.

[Sun Jianming, Martial Arts Instructor]: (Chinese, male)
I think the competition is really good, and if I have the opportunity in the future I will certainly participate. Because I like Chinese traditional martial arts so much, and its like hundreds of flowers blooming together. I hope it can make people improve and that more Chinese people and everybody else can participate in this competition."

NTD, Tokyo, Japan.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• NTD
• ntdtv
• Chinese martial arts
• Japan
• Tradition
• Wushu
• Taijiquan
• Championships
• Tokyo
• competition
• JWTF
• fit
• courtesy
• morality
• China
• Traditional
• ancient
• tradition

[josephalfredlee]

The thing is that Mongols were considered to be invaders and thieves at the time of Ghensis Khan. Just live the United States is a stolen country and a land where one of the biggest genocides has been committed, and they are talking about human rights and to free Tibet etc. Just as if a murderer is telling you that you are bad and that he is a good person

[jayangli]

chinese martial arts is best,

[asianthor]

Come on, what ever happend to "city wok vs city Sushi"? Now you messed up everything.

[Mitchx42]

OSU

[1207daone]

respect to Chinese martial arts.

I love Tai chi and kung fu.

and I'm japanese.

[MS78gonggon]

@lcddg  That`s true,Culturally they are Chinese. I have no doubt. And as the country is named Republic of China, people living in Taiwan islands are Chinese. But I am trying not to confuse the issue. Culturally Scotts are "almost" English and living on the same island, but we don`t call them English.

And I have a question. Is "Chinese" cultural , Historical or political issue. Issue is complicated depending on which side you take. And there are people whose trying to confuse the issue as well

[lcddg]

@MS78gonggon taiwan is nothing more but an island where in the republic of CHINA (ROC) is established

yes it could be considered as a separate state from mainland china but still it doesen't mean that they are not chinese

[MS78gonggon]

@Dimitri0809

Taiwanese elect thier own leader. So They are not part of China. Chinese don`t elect their own leader, so Taiwan and China has different political system.

Which part of Taiwan is Chinese?

[Dimitri0809]

@MS78gonggon

But Taiwan is a part of china..

[MS78gonggon]

@broa2917 Taiwan is free, Taiwanese rule their own country. For good or for worth.

[chi854]

is*

[chi854]

For all of you to be arguing on a martial arts video about what style is better or what country's martial arts is better than another really shows none of you really understand martial arts in general, sure we all favor different styles that suits us or speaks to us and our hearts but no need to go as far as to say negative things towards or about each other over something many of us love, enjoy and hold dear to our hearts and also a way of life for many of us who have watched this video.