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Chinese Martial Arts

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Hong Kong History

Part of the book series: Hong Kong Studies Reader Series ((HKSRS))

Abstract

When talking about Chinese martial arts in Hong Kong, movie stars like Bruce Lee (李小龍 1940–1973), Jacky Chan (成龍 1954–), Donnie Yen (甄子丹 1963–) and Jet Li, (李連杰 1963), who for many symbolize Chinese martial arts, are often the first to enter our minds. Indeed, Chinese martial arts and popular culture cannot be seen as separate entities. Since the end of the Second World War, martial arts movies have become one of the pillars of Hong Kong’s popular culture and emerged as a successful export to overseas countries. Behind the movie screens were local practitioners who perceived Chinese martial arts as essential skills and knowledge for self-defence, a healthy lifestyle, and character building. Chinese martial arts have been part of Hong Kong daily life and are today taken as essential components of Hong Kong’s Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH).

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Notes

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    Hong Kong. Tung Kong Chow Ka Preying Mantis Li Tin Loi Martial Arts Association: “Origin and Successions 源流和師承,” http://www.southernmantis-litinloi.hk, (9 July 2018).

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    Chung Po Yin 鍾寶賢, Xianggang yingshiye bainian 香港影視業百年 (A Century of Hong Kong Movie and Television Industry) (Hong Kong: Joint Publishing, 2004).

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    Wu Hao 吳昊, Guzhuang, xiayi, haungmeidiao 古裝·俠義·黃梅調 (Ancient Costume, Martial Heroes, and Yellow Plum Melody) (Hong Kong: Joint Publishing, 2004).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chinese Culture, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong

    Kai-Yiu Lau

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Correspondence to Kai-Yiu Lau .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of History, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong

    Man-Kong Wong

  2. Department of History, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong

    Chi-Man Kwong

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Lau, KY. (2022). Chinese Martial Arts. In: Wong, MK., Kwong, CM. (eds) Hong Kong History. Hong Kong Studies Reader Series. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-2806-1_10

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