08-31-2011, 02:10 PM
Just before I left for Yosemite, a local master came by and gave me a Jackie Chan shirt. I'm wearing it now. Mind you, this isn't a shirt with a picture of Jackie on it. It's part of Jackie Chan's signature line of clothing, which is huge in China. High quality stuff, all with modern Chinese designs - you wouldn't know it had anything to do with Jackie if you've never seen it. Here's a taste from taobao:http://jackiechan.taobao.com
That same week, another master, this time a noted prominent one, gifted me two Buddhist Malas from Putuoshan, a famous holy mountain in China. One is a classic mala with fragrant green wood. The other is some local craft work, with each bead hand carved into a goofy face...not so into this one. Both are blessed by the abbot of the Putuoshan monastery.
But the kicker came yesterday. We got some samples in, including a rather nice Monk Spade. It's a traditional Shaolin weapon, rather absurd now although recommended as the best weapon for killing zombies by one of those apocalypse Z manuals. I've never learned it. This one has solid steel blades (not sharp), a metal shaft with brass collars with studs and is all nice and shiny because it's all chromed. It's long and well balanced. I'm going to ask my master tonight if he knows a form and if so, if he'll teach it to me.
![[Image: weapon10monksspade.jpg]](http://www.shaolinwolf.com/bilder/weapons/weapon10monksspade.jpg)
That same week, another master, this time a noted prominent one, gifted me two Buddhist Malas from Putuoshan, a famous holy mountain in China. One is a classic mala with fragrant green wood. The other is some local craft work, with each bead hand carved into a goofy face...not so into this one. Both are blessed by the abbot of the Putuoshan monastery.
But the kicker came yesterday. We got some samples in, including a rather nice Monk Spade. It's a traditional Shaolin weapon, rather absurd now although recommended as the best weapon for killing zombies by one of those apocalypse Z manuals. I've never learned it. This one has solid steel blades (not sharp), a metal shaft with brass collars with studs and is all nice and shiny because it's all chromed. It's long and well balanced. I'm going to ask my master tonight if he knows a form and if so, if he'll teach it to me.
Shadow boxing the apocalypse