Drunken Kung Fu is not a system in Chinese Martial Arts, but a fighting form of Chinese Kung Fu. There are many various Northern and Southern Drunken Kung Fu forms. The description and movements of this style symbolize a person who is under the influence, and the movement’s as well as the practitioner look clumsy and relaxed. Legend has it that once a practitioner was involved in combat, he would perform far better if he had a drink between his countering and attacking. During the form there is a lot of 'preparing for a toast' postures asking for a refill. The hand and finger positioning demonstrate as if the practitioner is holding a cup. It is a very effective system when used as the Drunken practitioner’s movements of attack and defense constantly surprise your opponent. Our form offers counter and attacking movements from all ranges, from groundwork to head level strikes and above. In Zui Quan or the drunkard boxing, boxer’s falter, waddle, fall and sway just like drunkards. Zui Quan can be used for both fighting and maintaining health. However, the drunkard boxers go out of their way to stress the combative side of their style. They blend a series of movements, actions and skills of the martial arts and try to confuse their opponents with special skills, which often lead them to surprise
triumphs. Execution of the drunkard boxing demands extreme flexibility of the joints as well as suppleness, dexterity, power and coordination all of which can be developed in the course of practice. The main feature of the drunkard boxing is to hide combative hits in drunkard-like, unsteady movements and actions so s to confuse the opponent. The secret of this style of boxing is maintaining a clear mind while giving a drunken appearance. Drunkard boxers are required to be responsive with good eyesight and fist plays. They move in unconnected steps but with a flexible body combining hardness and suppleness. They have to be fast to get the better of their opponents but their main tactic is to feign defense while trying to attack and aiming in one direction but attacking in another. Different ranges of movements and expressions in the eye demonstrate various degrees of drunkenness. Drunken Style is a general term. There are many forms of Drunken Kung Fu, such as Drunken Monkey of Monkey form and Eight Immortals. The principle concept behind Drunken Kung Fu is to move as if one were half drunk. Probably the most famous style is named as Eight Immortals. The style refers to the ancient Chinese concept of eight immortals. Legends tell of how they were invited to an undersea kingdom to a banquet, but all of them became drunk and rowdy. All the
kingdoms guards attacked, their opponents seemingly drunk, but the immortals created an impromptu style on the spot and defeated the guardsmen. It is supposedly this style, which is taught to people now. Although there are numerous variations on Drunken Techniques, some of the more famous ones are fusions such as Five Drunken Animals based upon the Five Animals techniques, and some of the drunken weapon techniques, such as Drunken Staff Techniques. The secret behind Drunken style kung fu is the sudden release of power from awkward positions. The footwork enables the exponent to totter, sway and fall without harm, confusing his opponent, rising up on the soles of his toes then dropping down to crouched positions. A common hand-form is the Cup-Form hand. I am not sure if this translation is strictly correct, although it is used as a hand-form, which represents the holding of a small Chinese rice-wine cup or a jug. Even while falling the exponent will strike quickly, feint then counter-attack, or side-roll to safety.
