Drunken

Zuiquan - Drunkard's Shadow Boxing

 

        Drunken Style is a generic term. Today there are many forms of Drunken Gung Fu, such as Drunken Monkey of Monkey form and Eight Immortals. The main concept behind Drunken Gung Fu is to move as if one were drunk and the sudden release of coiled power from awkward positions.

The Drunken style is also connected the ancient legend of the Chinese Taoist belief in the Eight Immortals. Legends tell of how they were invited to an undersea kingdom's banquet. When they became drunk and rowdy All the guards attacked. The drunken opponents created an impromptu style and defeated the guards. It is said that this very system is the one taught to people today

 

As time passed people began to combine drunken concepts with other styles. One group of combination styles is the famous Five Drunken Animals. Even weapon arts were fused with the Drunken system. One famous staff set is called Drunken Staff.

 

As an art form this is one of the most difficult and amusing to watch. The footwork enables the exponent to totter, sway and fall without harm, and thus confusing the opponent. The favored hand technique is the Cup-Form hand. It resembles someone holding a small Chinese rice-wine cup or a jug. Even while falling the practitioner will strike quickly, feint then counter-attack, or side-roll to safety.

 

Techniques
The secret behind Drunken style kung fu is the sudden release of power from awkward positions. The footwork enables the exponent to totter, sway and fall without harm, confusing his opponent, rising up on the soles of his toes then dropping down to crouched positions. A common hand-form is the Cup-Form hand. I am not sure if this translation is strictly correct, although it is used as a hand-form which represents the holding of a small Chinese rice-wine cup or a jug. Even while falling the exponent will strike quickly, feint then counter-attack, or side-roll to safety.