R.I.P. - Great Master Ruan Dong

I am very sad to tell you that Great Master Ruan Dong passed away earlier this year (last month). I was informed of this by master Zhen Yin Xi and Yu Dan Qiu, members of the Ming Crane Fist of Fujian Wushu and the Martial arts Association of Calling Crane Kungfu Research Board of China and my White Crane Research Institute member who is currently in YongChun China.



He had been unwell for some time, he - like most Fujian Crane masters smoked rather heavily, plus he was of a good age by Chinese standards.

Great Master Ruan Dong was a mentor and guide to me, he gave of his knowledge and views, sharing what he could with me given the distances between us. He was the Technical Advisor to myself and the White Crane Research Institute, to me, he was a great man who gave everything to Fujian Crane Kungfu, his skill and speed were really in a class of their own. His unique style will not be bettered for a long time I think, but I feel he didn't get as much back as he might have done. I hope somehow that we will be able to give him some of the due credit he deserved.... I love and practice all the Fujian Crane I can get! But I am more determined than ever now to dedicate my school to Great Master Ruan Dong.

There are photos of him in the FangQiNiang Shrine/Museum in YongChun. I will publish them at a later date.

A message from China!

Leading up to the White Crane Research Institute's Annual General Meeting, Master Su Yinghan of the YongChun YiYun (Joy Cloud) Wushu (White Crane) Research Society wrote:

"It makes me so happy that you have developed the White Crane successfully, we are always standing together and developing White Crane to a higher level. Best wishes to you!"



Coach Hong Zongii (洪 上) of the Republic of China Vertical Crane Fist (Zhonghe Quan) Association of Taiwan wrote: “Your contact is our honour, We know that you already are engaged in the White Crane Fist aspect and your teaching, involves the Calling Crane Fist system and so on, and you have established the White Crane Fist Research Centre, let the humans really admire your enthusiasm and the investment. We approve your ideal”.

White Crane Chinese Weaponry 国武術兵器

Chinese Wushu Weaponry (Guo Wushu Bingqi 国武術兵器) can be considered to be the origin or mother of all Asian oriental weapons. The ancient monks of Shaolin learned to use anything as a useful weapon.

The Study and understanding of Chinese Weapons forms an integral part of the White Crane Research Institute. Chinese Weapons study goes hand in hand with our exploration of White Crane Gongfu.

Our understanding of the various Chinese Weapons forms are is greatly influenced by that of our own White Crane Gongfu study. Our Weapons understanding is that there are a number of primary weapons that everyone should learn before exploring Chinese Weapons further:

Staff - Gun/Gwun 棍 .
Straight Sword – Jian 劍.
Horse Cutting Sabre – Pudao 马剁马刀



Staff - Gun/Gwun 棍 .
Straight Sword – Jian 劍.
Horse Cutting Sabre – Pudao 马剁马刀
Butterfly Swords/Twin Knives - Hu Die Dao 蝴蝶双刀
Twin Iron Cudgels – Chai 釵
Spear – Qiang 槍 .

These weapons arise from the culture that is Chinese Martial Arts.

Each of these weapons is strongly embedded with the principles and practice of our White Crane.

We view the practice of Chinese Weapons as part of the overall structure of that taught under the banner of the White Crane Research Institute.

The most popular Shaolin Kung Fu 'tool' is the Long Pole or "gun". The long pole has a variety of uses and purposes. It is a multi-purpose implement that can be used for many things other than self defense.

A staff is used as a walking stick, to carry loads on your back, carry and transport two water buckets, as a lever, tent pole, and many more.

This is also the weapon that almost all Chinese martial arts consider to be "The Father of all Weapons". It is also highly effective and recommended for all martial artists to learn.

Some weapons of the China were designed to be used from a distance. Distance is preferable as a good defense strategy when using weapons.

The mainstay of the study within the White Crane Research Institute revolves around the Long Pole, the Straight Sword, the Twin Iron Cudgels, Twin Knives and the king of all weapons, the Spear.

Those interested in the study of Chinese Weapons may acquire training and certification in same via the auspices of the White Crane Research Institute.

"God Shakes it's Sleeves"

The “God Shakes his Sleeves” is a technique central to the Calling Crane (Minghequan) style.



The energy bursts out and forward in a shaking manner of energy (Jin). It can be a series of sidewards Knifehand Strikes or a series of successive Palm Heel Strikes, each being equally effective.Some cavity targets included but by no means are limited to a chopping style of attack are Stomach 9 (Renying – Man’s Welcome) and or Small Intestine 17 (Tianrong – Heaven’s Contents), Triple Heater 17 (Yifeng – Wind Screen) and also the Gallbladder 20 (Fengchi – Pool of Wind) and or Bladder 10 (Tianzhu – Heavenly Pillar).Direct Palm Strikes can also be delivered to Conception Vessel 14 (Juque – Great Palace) and or Liver 14 (Qimen – Expectations Door)

Reverse Moon & Sun

The Reverse Moon and Sun Hands as seen withing the senior White Crane Boxing Form of ZhongKuan commonly expressed as “Body like willow and hands like bullets” – in the old tongue.



It involves a two pronged attack to several cavity points such as Gallbladder 24 known as “Riyue” or “Sun Moon” and Liver 14 (Qimen – Expectations Door) and or Conception Vessel 14 (Juque – Great Palace) a heart mu point resulting in a knockout or death. Stomach 15 (Wuyi – Room Screen) and Stomach 16 (Yinghuan – Breast’s Window) or Stomach 17 (Rugen – Breast Root) and any of the other points mentioned above can also have rather deadly results.

A double strike to Gallbladder 14 (Yangbai – Yang White) and Gallbladder 24 (Riyue – Sun Moon) can also be used.

White Crane Twines the Neck

"White Crane Twines the Neck” - Rising Crane's Head" (Jinshou -Single Metal Hand) can, like most White Crane motions, be used in both defence and attack.



Cutting forward along the centerline , it intercepts the opponents technique and energy applying the metal hand principle and can also be used to strike the opponents eyes with the fingers or other cavity points (Gallbladder 14, Stomach 5 or 9, Triple Warmer 22, 23) with the knuckles of the hand to produce Knockout or possible death depending on the cavity points struck.

It can also be used in a downward “cupping” strike to the Govener Vessel 20 (Baihui - Hundred Meetings) point on the top of the head with equally devestating results

Fists of Sun

“Yut” Jee Choong Kuen/Chuan, or Sun Character Vertical Fist” is the main punch of White Crane Boxing. Named for the resemblance of its front facing fist to the Chinese ideogram for “Sun”. The “Yut” Jee Choong Kuen/Chuan is the root of all punching attacks in White Crane.



The Punch is executed from the middle of the chest with the “Sun” fist facing straight ahead. This follows the fist poem “Kuen Yau Sum Fot” or “A punch comes from the heart.

When punching high the fist is held so the thumb side is tilted upwards, when punching to the chest region the standing Sun Fist is used in a slightly downward fashion as shown. When punching low the three quarter fist is utilsed. Due to the structural alignment of the Radial and Ulna bone it is a very strong punch.