what's your thought

[Louie]

I was eating breakfast with somone this morning. they brought up a good question.

what is the difference between a Kung Fu man and a martial artist?

we couldnt come up with any definite answer but I thought it would be a good thread.

well it could be a good thread if the answers arent filled with too much philisophical filling. also if they arent any bigger than a paragraph ( you know who you guys are). haha

[Cang Long]

Since you don't want to hear my 20 page dissertation hahahaha let me go with the easy answer a martial artist is a person that can make a technique work for him/her. While a kung fu man is that person that understands the concepts and principles behind the technique another way of saying way of life as opposed to self defense. A martial artist just wants to build attributes while a kung fu man is cultivating the body mind and spirit 3 techniques vs. 3 treasures I could go on but I think you get my point.... I have my long winded philisophical mumbo jumbo answer on hard copy for safe keeping just in case you change your mind:D

[Savi]

From the first post, they are just labels and have no meaning at all. I say this because I do not see any explanation of a kung fu man and a martial artist.

Louie, what do you see to be a martial artist? What do you see to be a Kung Fu Man? Maybe if we knew what you meant by this we can guide the discussion better.

[DavidE]

"..... what is the difference between a Kung Fu man and a martial artist?"

".... well it could be a good thread if the answers arent filled with too much philisophical filling. also if they arent any bigger than a paragraph ( you know who you guys are). haha"

Does the bold type count as a paragraph? :D And since this isn't philosophical

martial artist ----> :boxing:

kungfu man ---->:cool:

[Levi]

Nice one David... truly showing and not telling. hehehe

To me, I have the words themselves to go on...

Martial Artist = someone who has a personal (i.e. artistic) expression and interpretation of martial activity. To me this can be anyone who relies on expression, showmanship, or personal attributes or interpretation when engaged in martial activity.

Kung Fu Man = Skill and Effort (or hard work) man. To me this is someone who has a different mindset, because the focus is not on the martial or the art, but on the skill and the effort, the hard work.

Based on that, my take is that a martial artist and a kung fu man dont necessarily need to be exclusive to one another (since our expression is always our expression), but they represent different facets. I'd personally like to maintain being a Kung Fu Man first, and a martial artist only by circumstance, because i can apply skill and effort to all facets of my life.

Just my take. And since I need to keep the peace under my roof, it should be Kung Fu person. :)

-Levi

[DavidE]

Now a post outside of the "parameters". I have a feeling this might be both longer than a paragraph and a little philosophical ..... ;)

IMO at some point in time these two "labels" may overlap but, in the greater scheme of things it seems possible that they be discussed as two separate "terms/labels".

Martial Artist: To me the term is broad and covers anyone trained in fighting arts. The first thing that comes to mind is someone concerned with "show and tell". By the popularity of K-1, RITC, etc .... we see quite a variety of martial artists. Second, like Canglong said, the term seems to leave the impression of someone concerned on learning and collecting technique upon technique and so forth. Third, (kinnda ties to #1) someone who sees and appreciates form rather than the principles behind it. *side note : This reminds me of "if you look at the technique there is not much to see. But, if you look at the principles there is alot to see." - GM Gee (Ohio,11/02) I always liked that quote.

Kung Fu Man: The term may be interchanged with Karateka, Judoteka, etc .... as it pertains to each respected "type" of martial arts. With that said, this "label" conveys much more depth and meaning than the former. First, it conveys the sense that this person is involved in the kung fu culture and truely understands "In All Directions, There is One Family." Second, a kung fu man does kung fu. Meaning, IMO, a kung fu man lets his hands do the talking and he is not egotistical or boisterous. In short a kung fu man does not stand around holler "Look at me, Look at me !!" Third, a kung fu man will build a mountain and give the praise to Mother Nature. Fourth, firm yet open minded.

Now is one better than the other? Is apple juice better than orange juice? Is scope better than listerine? Is X-box better than PS2? Well the last one doesn't really work 'cuz X-Box is tha bomb!! :D lol

Just another two pence to the pot. Wish everyone would ante up in this one. Good thread Louie!

-David

*on personal note:
A kung fu man would drive 15 - 20 mph in residential neighborhoods !! At not laugh it off.

[DavidE]

"Nice one David... truly showing and not telling."

Thanks sihing !!

"And since I need to keep the peace under my roof, it should be Kung Fu person. - Levi"

Absolutely!! She knows kung fu and has the shirt that says so, literally ... LOLOLOLOLOL !!!!! I definetly need to get me one of those shirts. They are classic!!

-David

[passing_through]

This might be a little longer than a paragraph but you never can tell...

what is the difference between a Kung Fu [person] and a martial artist?

First, what is a "Kung Fu person" and what is a "martial artist?"

In the Chinese language and culture, "kung fu" is a general term for any activity that requires skill. "Kung" is accumulated skill and "fu" is the effort you put into developing skill - a master chef has Kung Fu in cooking. Kung Fu is not restricted to the martial arts. A Kung Fu person would be a person that has kung fu.

A martial artist is a person that does martial arts.

To be good in the marital arts (which can include, but is not limited to: fighting skills, moral cultivation, and self-development) - you develop your skill and ability through hard work and training.

When you are good in the martial arts, Chinese people say you have good kung fu. Going back to the original question - you can't separate being a martial artist from being a kung fu person. Martial arts is the activity and having good kung fu should be the goal - which is developed through hard work and training.

And, for what it's worth... a Sifu is someone that has specialized knowledge in a trade – a bus driver is called Sifu, too.

Sincerely,
Jeremy R.

[BennyMeng]

Great job, Jeremy, on the definition and meanings of the word “kung fu.” This is an important topic, because – being a martial artist or being a kung fu person, we must know the difference. We cannot use our own definitions to recognize what kung fu is. To do this is Fau Kiu thinking. We have to be cautious in discussing or in communicating on a topic when one is at the Fau Kiu level. Unfortunately there are students and teachers out there that claim to teach Chinese systems but they don’t even know what “kung fu” means. Kung fu does not mean “Chinese martial arts.” Yes, even a Karate guy has kung fu if he has good skill. As I often tell my students, my father is one of the best cooks I know. He is a kung fu master in 11 styles of Chinese cuisine. I hope this post will help to readers to at least know “kung fu” from a Saan Kiu perspective. For a Wing Kiu perspective, you must put in the time and effort to acquire real skill and understanding in a practical scenario. For example: if you go to China and people ask you what kind of martial art you practice and you answer “kung fu”… then you will definitely get a strange look.

No experience means no practicality. No practicality means no efficiency. If you have experience, you know practicality. If you know practicality, you have the foundation for efficiency. This is the fundamental in developing kung fu – it all starts from experience first.

BM

[Louie]

just got back from business trip in Orlando.

just read posts

I agree

A kung fu man cares about acquiring the skill and knowledge.

a martial artist cares about what can be seen.

didnt have any good idea till I read the posts thanks for info.

[JohnL]

Kung Fu translates into "Skill and Effort". It is a universal concept. If I study writing and develop skill through my efforts I have "Kung Fu". Kung Fu is not a martial art but a way of living and applying oneself. Therefore ALL martial artist practice kung fu in the persuit of improving their skills through effort.

We must practice Kung Fu in order to improve in all aspects of our lives, and study the meanings of the things that we think that we know before we expound on them.

JohnL