Being found in late 15th century, Binh Dinh martial arts have continuously developed since then. It reached the pinnacle of development under the Tay Son dynasty (1778-1802).
Binh Dinh martial arts are now considered as a distinctive cultural heritage. How to preserve it? That’s a difficult question.
Regardless of the rain, young people in communes of Binh Nghi and Binh Thuan, Tay Son District continued practicing martial arts techniques. They were fortunate to be taught martial arts by Masters living there.
* Living Masters
At 7 pm, more than 30 students filled the yard of Master Phan Tho’s house. The 84-year-old Master held a club to instruct them to practice.
“He only instructs a technique for a couple of days. We then have to practice ourselves. Old learner will help us correct mistakes. It’s important to learn from mates when learning martial arts,” said Tu Thi Oanh, one of students.
Binh Nghi commune, which is 7 km away from the south of Kien My hamlet, has five martial arts clubs. All owners of these clubs are disciples of Master Phan Tho, according to Master Phan Thanh Son.
Master Phan Tho, who is well known as the master of An Vinh Fists, is able use 18 kinds of weapon skillfully. “The local martial arts had absorbed the secrets of Chinese skills from the north, Champa skills from the south and the Central Highland people’s skills. All of them come together here, combined and harmonised in the martial art halls of Binh Dinh families. It, therefore, becomes so powerful,” Master Phan Tho said.
70-year-old Master Ho Sung also has a martial hall in Hoa My hamlet, Binh Thuan commune. He masters the school of Thuan Truyen passed by his ancestor. It was his great grandparents who revived Thuan Truyen martial arts, Master Sung said.
It is said that his great grandmother’s effort to revive the school of Thuan Truyen and its legend attracted many women to learn martial arts.
“When I was a child, I knew the old folk-song, saying that whoever visits Binh Dinh would see its women practicing martial arts. I wanted to learn martial arts at that time. I’ve practiced harder after knowing about the origin of school of Thuan Truyen,” said a 10th grader who won many prizes in martial arts competitions at provincial and national magnitude.
When burning the incense at the altar, I owe a debt of gratitude to my great grandmother, Master Ho Sung said.
* Famous fists
Students learning martial arts at Master Lam Ngoc Phu’s martial hall in An Thai hamlet are in different levels, but they all industriously practice each technique.
“Learning martial arts passed by Master Phu, I realize its significance, particularly An Thai fists,” said Le Van Thang, one of Master Phu’s students. An Thai fists have been widely known as one of “specialties” of Binh Dinh traditional martial arts.
A Chinese person named Diep Truong Phat (often called Tau Sau) was the founder of An Thai fists, according to Master Phu.
Although learning school of An Thai from Tau Sau, our ancestor combined different schools of traditional martial arts, making An Thai fists more varied. Students learning An Thai fists often win prizes at traditional martial arts competitions, Phu added.
Three Tay Son brothers and Tay Son Uprising marked the pinnacle of Binh Dinh traditional martial arts. Tay son ha dao, known as Tay Son District, is the birthplace of three brothers. They were then trained in martial arts in An Nhon.
It is said that two brothers Nguyen Lu and Nguyen Hue were taken as disciples of Master Dinh Van Nhung in Thanh Liem hamlet, Nhon An commune, according to Master Phu.
Before the uprising, three brothers had been taught by Truong Van Hien, a Confucian scholar cum Master, coming to live in An Thai.
Master Truong Van Vinh also opens a martial hall in very early mornings. “We learn martial arts at about 5 am before going to school,” said Nguyen Tan Sang, one of Master Vinh’s students. At the age of 74, Master Vinh is still active and strong.
Binh Dinh martial arts have been learned by many people. It is also well-known both nationwide and abroad.
Master Vinh and three young Masters were invited to attend the 4th European Qwan Ki Do Festival held in Italy and Romania in late October, 2007. With two excellent performances, he was honored with the title “Great Master”.
My performances had been the combination of Binh Dinh martial arts families, Master Vinh said. Although I was old now, I still could perform unique techniques.
