Wushu
Translation: "Arts of War"
Country of Origin: China
Created: circa 520 AD

Wushu is the term used in China to encompass all indigenous martial arts. Also referred to as Chinese boxing and in the West the term Kung Fu has been commonly adopted to mean the same thing. Originating in the Shaolin Temple on a mountain in North China, wushu has fragmented incredibly over the many, many years of it's evolution with at least 1500 styles practised today. Styles would often be passed from family to family and the most secret techniques would only taught to the most worthy of students. It wasn't until as late as the 1960's that us Westerners were even allowed to become wushu students. There are many legends concerning wushu in China that usually either involve little old men killing bad guys with a single touch or else rival wushu schools trying to prove who has the ultimate style. The most common way to categorise the various schools is to refer to Northern China and Southern China schools. Northern schools teach "internal" or "soft" systems and Southern teach "external" or "hard" systems. Internal styles focus on life energy; circular techniques, use the hands more and are based upon Taoist philosophy. They may also teach healing arts. External styles focus on muscular force, linear techniques, use the feet more and are based upon Buddhist philosophy. They may also teach speed and strength conditioning. In 1674 the emperor after some bad advice from court decided to destroy the Shaolin temple thinking the monks posed a threat. Legend has it that the 5 monks who escaped are the ancestors of today's Triad societies.