Chinese hoe

22.08.2009EvilDollaR

One of the most common weapons among southern Chinese farmers was the hoe, which could be used in place of a two-pronged weapon such as a staff or club, for blocking and striking, or as a slashing or cutting weapon. Moreover, it was easily accessible, since it was at the disposal of every farmer, and they, in turn, knew how to handle it perfectly.

In Choy Li Fut, hoe training involves more than just regular fighting exercises. There is drama here too.

“In ancient times, Southern Chinese martial arts styles used demonstrations of a large number of colorful movements that were far from practical,” explains Dok Fai Wong. “This was done to attract public interest in martial arts, a common way of recruiting students. Martial arts schools performed at village festivals and holidays, fun in honor of the harvest or the beginning of seasonal work.”

“Since many of the weapons taught in ancient times were originally part of agricultural implements, kung fu masters added a little acting to their demonstrations to enliven the audience,” he adds. “For example, a traditional performance with a hoe began with the fighter rolling up his sleeves and imitating weeding in a field. Then he stopped, wiped the sweat from his forehead and looked at the sun, checking the time. The fighter rubbed his sore back and threw the hoe over his shoulder, thereby showing that he was returning home tired after a long day of work. And then the combat performance began.”

Stick and blade

Most traditional forms of hoe ownership start out very similar to what Wong described. This makes them more interesting to the viewer and explains the origin of the weapon.

The Chinese hoe is similar to those now present in gardens and vegetable gardens. The blade was slightly longer, approximately 10 inches (25,4 cm), and the width reached 6 inches (15,24 cm). The handle of this relatively heavy weapon, weighing between six and eight pounds (~2,7-3,6 kg), was made from Chinese hardwood. As with the bench, hoe training involves strength training and strengthening of the forearms and wrists, as well as developing balance and strength.

The farmer's hoe was both a staff and a bladed weapon, and the techniques were reminiscent of movements from Kwang Do. It was always held with the right hand forward at a distance of about 2/3 from the end of the handle. The left hand was in the center. This made it possible to quickly move it in any direction. The central part of the handle could also be used to block enemy blows. At the same time, it could be easily pulled back for a subsequent lunge forward or a scooping motion with the sharpened end.

The sharp end was used either for a downward slash or for a sharp direct push on the enemy. It is heavy and sharp and does not require much force to strike effectively. When lunging forward, the movement of the flat part of the blade resembles a punch. The bench and hoe are excellent representations of the creativity and ingenuity of Chinese martial artists who developed effective fighting techniques using common objects and household equipment.

The article used quotes from a conversation with the great master Dok Fai Wong.

Source: Inside Kung-Fu magazine (2002)
Author: Jane Hellender.
Information Search: Jason DinAlt
Translation and 3D visualization: EvilDollaR