When did the TV series Kung Fu start?

Answer 1

First, to clarify, the modern "Kung Fu" (an term for all Chinese Martial Arts) began in the Ming Dynasty (1368 AD-1644 AD); and Chinese historical writings regard Equitation (skill with horses) and Archery as "Kung Fu".

Chinese historians believe that "Kung Fu" began as tools for survival such as hunting and war with different tribes. The earliest mention of a distinct style of hand-to-hand combat was around 2700 B.C. where a fighting technique called "Jiao Li" (角力), where the practitioner uses horned helmets to gore enemies to death. "Jiao Li" was a grappling form with strikes, blocks, and joint locks later added to it to form "Shuai Jiao" (摔跤), which is translated into Chinese Wrestling. "Jiao Li" was developed during the Zhou Dynasty (1045 BC-256 BC), and became an official part of the Zhou military training program. "Shuai Jiao" was used by the Qin army and became a sport under the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-206BC).

During the "Spring and Autumn Period" (770 BC-746 BC), swordsmanship became wide spread, many of Confucius's students were described to be skilled swordsman. During this time period, punching techniques, called Boxing in modern terms, also improved a great deal.

During the Qin Dynasty, as mentioned before, strikes, blocks, and joint locks were added to "Jiao Li" to form "Shuai Jiao". Immediately after the Qing Dynasty, during the Han Dynasty (206 BC- 220 AD) many "Kung Fu" manuals were written, describing hand-to-hand unarmed combat techniques of the time, showing a vast increment of techniques from before the Han Dynasty. Toward the Han Dynasty, passages from books describe methods for an unarmed combatant to disarm an armed opponent. These records show that the basis for Chinese "Boxing" and its philosophy: <Far use feet to kick, Close use hand to punch, Next to body use joint locks and throws>.

Han Dynasty also saw rise to weapons "Kung Fu", where sword, dao (saber), dagger-axe, and sword-shield combination techniques.

If you have further questions please message me because I probably babbled on enough :)

Sources:

"中國武術史簡述"

"Classic of Rites"

Answer 2

First, to clarify, the modern "Kung Fu" (an term for all Chinese martial arts) began in the Ming Dynasty (1368 AD-1644 AD); and Chinese historical writings regard Equitation (skill with horses) and Archery as "Kung Fu".

Chinese historians believe that "Kung Fu" began as tools for survival such as hunting and war with different tribes. The earliest mention of a distinct style of hand-to-hand combat was around 2700 B.C. where a fighting technique called "Jiao Li" (角力), where the practitioner uses horned helmets to gore enemies to death. "Jiao Li" was a grappling form with strikes, blocks, and joint locks later added to it to form "Shuai Jiao" (摔跤), which is translated into Chinese Wrestling. "Jiao Li" was developed during the Zhou Dynasty (1045 BC-256 BC), and became an official part of the Zhou military training program. "Shuai Jiao" was used by the Qin army and became a sport under the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-206BC).

During the "Spring and Autumn Period" (770 BC-746 BC), swordsmanship became wide spread, many of Confucius's students were described to be skilled swordsman. During this time period, punching techniques, called Boxing in modern terms, also improved a great deal.

During the Qin Dynasty, as mentioned before, strikes, blocks, and joint locks were added to "Jiao Li" to form "Shuai Jiao". Immediately after the Qing Dynasty, during the Han Dynasty (206 BC- 220 AD) many "Kung Fu" manuals were written, describing hand-to-hand unarmed combat techniques of the time, showing a vast increment of techniques from before the Han Dynasty. Toward the Han Dynasty, passages from books describe methods for an unarmed combatant to disarm an armed opponent. These records show that the basis for Chinese "Boxing" and its philosophy: <Far use feet to kick, Close use hand to punch, Next to body use joint locks and throws>.

Han Dynasty also saw rise to weapons "Kung Fu", where sword, dao (saber), dagger-axe, and sword-shield combination techniques.

If you have further questions please message me because I probably babbled on enough :)

Sources:

中國武術史簡述

"Classic of Rites"

Answer 3

It's very possibly that kung fu came to America as early as the mid-19th century. The gold rush of 1849 caused many Chinese men to come to America in the hopes of striking it rich and improving the lives of their families back home. Anyone of these individuals could have known some Chinese martial arts. It was well entrenched a little over a century later by the time of Bruce Lee.

Answer 4

kung fu refers to many forms of martial arts so it cant be accuratley traced but the ming dynasty started their form of kung fu in 1368 AD

Answer 5

The original run of the series starring David Carradine started in 1972 and ran until 1975.

Answer 6

The song came out in the disco years. It was first released in 1974.