Lohanquan

[Ron Davenport]

I was just wondering about your system of Lohanquan and its origins. We start all beginning students on the lohan system, our lohan system is the system founded in the Fujian Shaolin temple located in the city of Citong or formerly known as quanzhou city. I was wondering if our two Lohan system were similar in any way or are they completely different. I do apologize if I seem a little zelous, I am an american and to be totally honest I have not seen the different styles of Lohanquan. Now, if I were a native of China I probably would not be so curious, lol. I Have always enjoyed seeing the different systems, even those of the same styles. Anywho, I look forward to your replies. Please feel free to ask any questions regarding our system Lohanquan, I would be happy to explain any history or general questions concernig principle and theory.

 

Take care..........  R.Davenport.

[Dai-Sihing Kevin Sears]

Hello. As you most likely have seen my name is Kevin Sears. I am the senior assistant for SiGung Cabais in the STL area. I totally understand how our system can confuse people, and we get this question a lot! Most, however, are not nearly as polite as you, and we usually do not respond to 'impolite' inquiries. As a result this question has gone without an answer to many. It is about time this is answered in the public arena. Thank you.

The confusion often begins with a look at our curriculum. Listed is one Lo'Han fist set, and with just a glance one can see that we are a 5 animal based school. What then is with the name 'Shaolin Lohan School of Kung Fu'? This comes from an understandable assumption that many martial artists make. Let’s take Monkey boxing for example. It is so named because it mimics a monkey. Lo'Han is named for its mimic of statues in the temple. This, however, cannot be applied to the system taught by SiGung Cabais. The school is not named for its mimic of the Lo'Han. The history of our school teaches that the founder had such a high mastery of his art that he was granted the title of 'LoHan' , similar to knighthood. Thus is the birth of  the LoHan 'family' or sect, similar to how a family style would be named for the family. This is what our history teaches. If it is 100% accurate, I cannot say, I was not there; many stories of the genesis of a system have been proven totally wrong. But, this is does not matter to me, it holds value no matter what.

The name Lohan sect would, in fact , fit better than Lohan fist. Sifu has written some about it on the art page if you have not seen.

Xie Xie, Kevin Sears

[Ron Davenport]

Sihing Sears,

                     I do apologize if my original post sounded as if I was asking or prying into your systems name, title,etc. I was really just asking about the possible style differences between our two schools lohanquan sets. I undrestand that in this day and age no two styles are exactly the same, due to the most respected masters making subtle changes to adhere with modern society and self-defense needs. I do appreciate your reply though and as you've mentioned, alot of the chinese translations or tales of the old and the societies differ from sects/chapters and so forth. I believe that your system and sigung Cabais interests are on preserving and spreading the magnificant benifits of the chinese martial arts, a jesture that deserves respect. O.K., I just wanted to explain that I was only inquiring differences between A & B, not C, LOL. Take care and train hard.

 

R.Davenport

[Dai-Sihing Kevin Sears]

I am sorry. I really hate "talking" with people who you do not know personally on the internet. It is impossible to see or hear someones tone and attitude. I in no way felt that you were prying; there is nothing that I enjoy talking about more than KungFu (just ask my wife)!! I appologize if my 'tone' conveyed anything else. I like to type as little as possible, so tend to just relay informantion with little else, that I guess can seem cold. I was simply starting to conversation with the mutual understanding that, technically speaking, we are a 5animal school and not Lo'Han fist.

Honestly I know nothing of your style of Lo'HanQuan and could not compare.It sounded like your students learn more than one Lo'Han set. My SiFu teaches only one Lo'Han fist set that consists of 30 titled, or labeled movements, including the salutation in and out. The movements are, compared to many of the other sets he teaches, relatively simple. The set was added to the system, I believe, about 500 years ago; I do not have the info infront of me.