Passing the Torch Through Generations
"Faster! Your strike must be quick, sharp, and precise—no hesitation!" Early in the morning, the sound of Huang Guoxiong’s (黄国雄) voice cuts through the air as he trains with his granddaughter, Huang Liyue (黄李玥). Recently, Liyue secured a silver medal in the Fujian Provincial Youth Martial Arts Routine Championship, and now she is preparing for the prestigious 15th Southern Shaolin (南少林) Martial Arts Competition. As the seventh-generation inheritor of the Huang family's Southern Shaolin Crying Crane Fist (鸣鹤拳), Huang Guoxiong holds the weight of tradition on his shoulders, ensuring that this art is passed down, just as it was to him decades ago.
Huang’s Southern Shaolin Crying Crane Fist and weaponry is one of Fujian's treasured provincial-level intangible cultural heritage practices. As a subset of the broader Southern Shaolin styles, Crying Crane Fist is renowned for its sharp, palm-based strikes, often accompanied by a distinctive "crane call" sound. This burst of energy helps generate power, giving the style its name. As one of Fujian’s significant martial arts legacies, it blends the beauty of form with lethal efficiency.
The Roots of a Martial Heritage
Reflecting on his own journey, Huang Guoxiong recalls how the house bustled with visitors during his childhood. "My father’s students came from near and far to learn the Crying Crane style from him," he remembers. Huang began training when he was just eight years old, practicing martial arts in the frigid winters and sweltering summers. The discipline he developed became a vital part of his life, not just as a physical practice, but as a philosophical guide.
Through years of dedicated training, Huang gained a deep understanding of the true essence of Crying Crane Fist. When the time came for him to assume the mantle as head of the family’s martial tradition, he knew the responsibility that came with it. "The torch has been passed to me, and it's my duty to share this art with others," he states, his voice filled with the weight of his role as a custodian of history. Huang embarked on a mission to spread awareness and attract students to the art, ensuring that Southern Shaolin Crying Crane Fist would not fade into obscurity.
Keeping Tradition Alive in Modern Times
Huang’s efforts to promote Crying Crane Fist are multi-faceted. In addition to training students at his family’s martial arts base, he extends his teachings to local schools, introducing children to the fundamental techniques of martial arts and lion dance. He is also heavily involved in community service, providing free martial arts training at summer camps in his hometown, with the hope of inspiring future generations to take an interest in the traditional art form.
"Bringing martial arts into schools is one of the best ways to preserve these traditions," Huang says. "By doing this, we can discover talented young students and help them grow into skilled practitioners who will protect and promote our Chinese heritage." In Huang’s eyes, martial arts is more than just a sport—it is a bridge to China’s rich history and cultural depth. His own children and grandchildren started their martial arts journeys at a young age, and to them, the art is a gateway to deeper connections with their roots.
Huang’s family continues to carry the legacy forward. His grandchildren, in particular, show great promise. Huang Liyue, fresh off her success at the provincial competition, is determined to follow in the footsteps of her grandfather and father. "When I grow up, I want to be a martial arts teacher like Grandpa and Dad," she says with a fierce sense of purpose, hoping to continue the tradition of Crying Crane Fist and the broader spirit of Chinese martial arts.
