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View Full Version : Rare Tiger-Crane / Hung-gar Kungfu Book w/ Poster by Lin Shirong



K. Tsai
30th July 2005, 02:50
This is an import, and hence rare. It is not an old family manuscript or anything. For details please see the sale on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7173042873&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

For your convenience, here's the text of the ad:

FOR SALE: BOOK ON TIGER-CRANE KUNGFU
OLD-STYLE ILLUSTRATIONS, MINI-POSTER INCLUDED
$20

TITLE: Huhe xuangxing quan ("Tiger-Crane Twin-Form Boxing") by Lin Shirong. Reprinted 1990 by Yiqun shuju in Taipei.

DESCRIPTION. From the inside cover: "Tiger-Crane Twin-Form Boxing is one of the most famous boxing methods of China. Tradition has it that it was created by Fan Yongchun during the Qing Dynasty, and was brought to prominent by Hong Xiguan (founder of Hung-gar kungfu), consequently flourishing in Canton. Its boxing method combines the hard with the soft and excels at both, suitable for in-depth study by men and women of all ages. Tiger-Crane Twin-Form Boxing applies men's inborn nature, and combines the eight tiger forms with the eight crane forms. As a result, its movements are as ferocious and aggressive as tiger, and as light and agile as a crane. Its techniques are seamless, and completely reach the realm of naturalness, swiftness, and strength."

The author Lin Shirong, according to the book, was the head disciple of the legendary Huang Feihong. The movie "Once Upon a Time in China," starring Jet Li, was based on stories about Huang Feihong. This book illustrates each technique, and also offers a verbal description along with applications. There are 120 techniques in the Tiger-Crane form. The book also includes a fold-out mini-poster illustrating all the techniques in sequence (see below). The poster is about the length of four pages. 225 pages. Softcover.

ILLUSTRATIONS. Prolifically illustrated with old-style line-drawing. See photo below for a sample. Most pages look like that.

LANGUAGE: Chinese only. There is no English anywhere.

CONDITION. In excellent condition. No markings anywhere. The pages are crisp, and the binding is tight. This is almost as good as a new copy.

NOTE. This book offers a valuable glimpse into a traditional form of Chinese martial arts, but does not substitute for live instruction. Those interested in learning kungfu should seek out qualified teachers.

SHIPPING & HANDLING. $3 by Media Mail rate. Will ship by Priority Mail for $6. Continenal US customers only.

PAYMENT. Accept PayPal.