Farmer's Hoe (Chor Tau)

from an Article by Jane Hallander

One of the most practical weapons among Southern China's farmers was the hoe, a weapon that could be used double-ended, like the staff, for blocking and striking, or as a bladed weapon for chopping and slicing. And, of course, it was easily available, since every farmer had a hoe and was well-versed in its use.

The choy li fut hoe form contains more than just fighting applications. It also has drama.

"In the old days, Southern Chinese martial arts weapons' forms displayed many flowery movements that appeared unlike practical actions," Doc Fai Wong explains. "This was designed to draw the public's interest to the martial art, a common method of recruiting students. Martial arts schools performed during village festivals and celebrations, often celebrating harvests and seasonal plantings in farming villages.

"Since many of the weapons taught in the old days were originally farm implements, to liven demonstrations kung-fu practitioners added some acting to the form," he adds. "For instance, traditional hoe forms begin with the martial artist rolling up his sleeves and mimicking hoeing the field. He stops to wipe the sweat from his brow and looks at the sun's position to check the time of day. The martial artist rubs his aching back and slings the hoe over his shoulder, as if trudging home after a long day's work. Then the fighting action begins."

Staff and Blade

Most traditional Chinese martial art hoe forms have a beginning similar to what Wong describes. This makes the form more interesting to watch and explains the weapon's background.

The Chinese hoe is similar to the variety you find in today's garden centers. The blade was a little longer (approximately ten inches} and about six inches wide. The hoe was a relatively heavy weapon, weighing about six-to-eight pounds. A sturdy tool and weapon, the handle was constructed from Chinese hardwood. As with the horse bench, the hoe form is taught today as a means of weight training to strengthen and condition a student's forearms and wrists, as well as improve balance and power.

The farmer's hoe was both a long staff-like weapon and a bladed weapon, using many techniques similar to the staff and long-bladed weapons, such as the kwan do. It is always held with the right hand forward, placed approximately two-thirds down the length of the handle. The hoe practitioner's left hand grips the center of the weapon. This allows the stylist to move quickly in any direction. He can also use the center portion of the handle for blocking an attacker's weapon. At the same time, he can quickly pull the hoe back to thrust forward or scoop upward with the bladed end.

The bladed end is used to either chop downward or thrust forward at an opponent. It is heavy and sharp, requiring little force to make an effective strike. When thrust forward, the flat side of the blade makes contact in a poking motion. The horse bench and hoe are excellent representatives of the creativity and resourcefulness of Chinese martial artists, who developed effective fighting techniques using common tools and household implements.

Copyright © by Golden Eagle Martial Arts Centers All Right Reserved.
Published on: 2004-01-25