History

I get messages like this all the time so I decided to post this one from Mr. Verceles and my response. Hope Mr. Verceles doesn't mind

Dear Shun Shifu Weaver,

 

I've been searching for the place where Da Shifu was studying his martial arts because i am very interested in taking a trip down there to see if there is any history about it down there because i've been reading so much about how it started and all these blogs and opinions and chats about it but everything is left and right. There are so many stories by what i have read and i don't understand anything. I'm not doubting what we stand by and what is in the knowledge of Sheng Chi but for some reason it is bothering me to find out what the actual story is. I probably have no business in this but for awhile now shou shu is becoming a part of me and i feel like i need to find out what i can. I've researched so much already and it seems like im just going around in circles. So if there is any information you could help me out with I'd appreciate it very much. thanks you

 

Verceles

Hi Mr. Verceles,

Yes I'm sure a lot of people are very curious about the history of Shou Shu. Have been for years.

Unfortunately it is not as easy as looking in a book or doing a web search. The history was hidden from most. Years ago we were forbidden from asking. The important thing was to learn the Shou' Shu'. Because the history was hidden for various reasons it is now difficult to recover.

Because I was around Da' Shifu probably more than any other person, I know many of the stories. Some verifiable, some not. There are others that know things I do not.

To get the true history what will be necessary is to bring together as many people that have pieces of it and to start putting it together. This is one of the goals and purposes of this website.

We have created an organization called the ISSA (International Shou' Shu' Association). The goals and purpose of this organization is to further Shou' Shu' development. This includes piecing together the history.

So I think the best way of starting down this path is to encourage involvement in this website. If the core group grows strong enough it will attract others. We will be able to attract in many of the old timers such as myself. It has already worked to bring in a few but to see this escalate we need involvement from many. Build the energy sort of thing.

For it to work people need to post to the website and start a community. Without community it is just a website.

I could sit down and write out the history I know but I think it better that the ball gets rolling first and we'll put it together as a group. I have many leads and information to follow up on but the endeavor is just something I don't have time to do myself.

I have knowledge to answer many of the things you'll find on the web. But again, no one has asked and at the moment I feel my time is more well spent building a community sot hat never again does Shou' Shu' come so close to extinction as it did just a few years ago.

Encourage others to participate, post to your blog. You will have your history.

But always remember the most important thing is the knowledge. The perfection, development, and preservation of Shou' Shu'. No one can beat you in battle with their lineage. No one is better than you because they can recite their glorious history.

Shun Shifu Weaver