Wushu exercises emerged in the Shang and Zhou dynasties (1600-771 BC), initially as a type of hunting ritual or as a form of 'military dance'. These developed to train soldiers and reinforce their values. Over time, some schools refined their training methods and incorporated techniques such as archery and 'military dance'.
The Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) brought about numerous advances in Wushu. In modern times, Wushu has been adapted to modern needs, especially in sports, and has become the country's leading discipline. After the founding of the Republic of China, popular martial arts organizations emerged. In 1927, the Wushu Central House was founded in Nanjing, and in 1936 the country sent a martial arts team to the Olympic Games in Berlin. Starting in 1956, the Chinese Wushu Association spread throughout the country and reached the world like never before. The first international Wushu tournament was held in 1985, followed by the first championship in 1987 in Yokohama, Japan, which was officially incorporated in 1990.
Wushu, as a well-structured and established sport, is rooted in science and Taoist philosophy. Yin and Yang are central concepts. The variety ranges from soft to hard movement styles, dynamic to static. While Wudang Wushu is known for its internal martial arts, the Shaolin Temple masters the external ones.
The official Chinese Wushu Research Institute lists over 450 schools, with new branches constantly emerging. Wushu can be roughly divided into 5 categories:
- Martial arts without weapons
- Martial arts with weapons
- Combat (pair fights)
- Group exercises
- Free fight
Chinese Wushu philosophy emphasizes the balance between softness and strength, an integration that strengthens inner and outer strength."