Everyday Tools and Objects as Weapons in Choy Li Fut

From its very beginnings, Choy Li Fut was closely tied to revolutionary groups — first in support of the Ming dynasty, and later, during the Japanese invasion, within anti-Japanese organizations. For this reason many masters and practitioners were persecuted; they had to hide and could not carry weapons in plain sight, so they had to find ways to use ordinary objects as weapons in a way that could not be reported.

Added to this is the fact that Choy Li Fut is a Southern style born in a typically rural setting: a great many of the early masters came from peasant and working backgrounds, so — as happens in other styles too — many of its weapons came from the fields themselves. Other objects that were not weapons at all came from everyday life; things no one would identify as dangerous, but which the masters of Choy Li Fut trained with skill and ingenuity to turn into exactly that.

Farm Tools

The hoe. A tool used in the fields, like its Western counterpart, that becomes a powerful weapon when handled well. It can be used to strike, block and stab. There is a very curious traditional form with this weapon in which, alongside the attacking and defending movements, the typical labors of the peasant are also imitated.

The rake. Like the hoe, a field tool used in every country. As a weapon it is handled like the staff, but one can also strike and stab with its head. In short, it is handled much like the hoe and, well used, could be deadly.

The carrying pole. A thick length of bamboo split in half, used to carry weight distributed between its two ends. As a weapon it is very effective, since its thickness and length let its blows cause great damage; however, it is difficult to handle because of the asymmetry of its two sides — one curved, the other flat and cutting.

The spade. Another tool from the field used as a weapon: the blade can strike and stab, while the handle can block and hit. The handling of the famous Buddha Spade also derives from the use of the field spade.

Everyday Objects

The cane. The Chinese cane is identical to the Western one and used for the same purpose — support while walking. As a weapon it is extremely useful, since it can strike, grab, lock joints and press specific points, although handling it is far more difficult than it first appears.

The bench. The typical Chinese bench — long, backless and for individual use. As a weapon it is heavy and complicated to handle but very effective, used to block and to strike forcefully. There is also a version with a smaller, single-person stool.

The fan. The Chinese fan is like the Western one but usually larger. In ancient times they were made of bamboo, but now they come in any material — in kung fu you can even find metal fans. Its handling is not very complicated but it is very precise, since it is aimed at pressure points and you must know exactly where to strike. It can also be used to block, to tear, and to obscure the opponent’s vision.

The flute. The Chinese flute, somewhat longer than the Western one, is used like a short stick. It can strike, block and press weak points.

The umbrella. The umbrella or parasol is very widely used in China. As a weapon it is handled much like the cane, with the added advantage that it can be opened to obstruct the opponent’s vision.

The abacus. This ancient Chinese object, the forerunner of the calculator, can also serve as a very practical weapon. They are normally made of wood, so they are a blunt object, with corners that can do a great deal of damage; the fingers can also slip between the beads, which greatly improves the grip and therefore the power of the blow.

The towel. This object is closely tied to the climate of Southern China. Many people in Canton, especially before air conditioning, worked shirtless with a towel around the neck to wipe away the sweat caused by the region’s heat and humidity — so the towel was always at hand. By sewing a coin into one end, or by wetting it, one can deliver very forceful blows that do great damage, especially to the face. The towel allows fast strikes without closing in on the opponent, giving the added advantage of distance. In the towel form, one begins with it around the neck, just as it used to be carried.

Article by Tin Sing Kwun (María Arias Antoranz, 何天萍).