The History of Kung Fu (Radio Edit)

You're Dead to Me

BBC

Comedy, History

4.7 • 10.9K Ratings

🗓️ 26 April 2024

⏱️ 29 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Leon Rocha and comedian Phil Wang to learn all about the surprising history of kung fu, from ancient China to the present day. Rooted in ancient Chinese exercises designed to promote long life, kung fu was pioneered by the monks of the Shaolin temple before spreading throughout China. But how did peaceful Buddhist monks come to create a martial arts style that would gain global popularity? From the mountains of medieval China to the movie screens of Hollywood, via plundering pirates and legendary nuns, this episode explores the historical development of Chinese martial arts.

This is a radio edit of the original podcast episode. For the full-length version, please look further back in the feed.

Hosted by: Greg Jenner Research by: Jon Mason Written by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Emma Nagouse, and Greg Jenner Produced by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Greg Jenner Audio Producer: Steve Hankey Senior Producer: Emma Nagouse

Transcript

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0:00.0	Before you listen to this BBC podcast I'd like to introduce myself. My name's
0:04.0	Stevie Middleton and I'm a BBC Commissioner for a load of sport
0:07.5	podcasts. I'm lucky to do that at the BBC because I get to work with leading
0:11.1	journalists, experienced pundits and the biggest
0:13.3	sports stars. Together we bring you untold stories and fascinating insights
0:17.4	straight from the player's mouth. But the best thing about doing this at the BBC is
0:22.0	our unique access to the sporting world.
0:25.0	What that means is that we can bring you podcasts that create a real connection to
0:28.9	dedicated sports fans across the UK.
0:31.5	So if you like this podcast, head over to BBC Sounds where you'll find plenty more.
0:35.2	BBC Sounds Music Radio Podcasts.
0:40.3	Hello and welcome to your dead to me the Radio 4 comedy podcast that takes history
0:47.2	seriously my name is Greg Jenner I am a public historian author and broadcaster
0:51.5	and today we are channeling our Chi and journeying all the way back to ancient China
0:56.0	to learn about the history of Kung Fu.
0:59.0	And to help with us into shape, I'm joined by two very special Kung Fu Masters in History Corner. He's a historian of China and an expert in the history of East Asian science, medicine and technology. He was previously based at the universities of Liverpool and Lincoln and now works for the University and College
1:13.2	Union is Dr Leon Rosha.
1:15.2	Welcome Leon!
1:16.2	Hi, I'm Leon.
1:17.9	I know Kung Fu, but only historically, so not massively useful in a fight. And in Comedy Corner he's a
1:26.7	fantastic comedian actor and author you will know him from Taskmaster live at
1:30.6	the Apollo have a news for you and his Netflix comedy special.
	...

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