| Drunken Monkey 醉猴 | |
| Aka: | Drunken Monkey Form, Drunken Monkey Pole Form, Tai Shing |
| Focus: | Striking |
| Country: |  China |
| Creator: | Kou-Sze |
| Parenthood: | Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, Tei Tong |
| Famous Pract: | Ken Tak Hoi Cho Chat Ling |
| Olympic: | No |
Drunken Monkey Form or Drunken Monkey Pole Form of Kung Fu is a fictional Chinese martial art, a variation of the Monkey Style.
This style is different from Zui Quan (Drunken Fist), as the practitioner is imitating gestures of an intoxicated monkey, rather than a human fighter.
Drunken Monkey does not begin with drunken-like gestures, but rather the drunken aspect enters the forms in the middle-section when the practitioner plays the movements of a monkey drinking stolen wine.
The Drunken Monkey style is visually completely different when compared to Zui Quan and is shorter in sequence. This style, however, is considered more artistically beautiful, acrobatic and agile compared to Zui Quan. This does not necessarily mean that it is more or less effective in actual combat.
Contrary to claims in movies, actually being drunk does not improve drunken monkey or drunken fist. It is based on the concept of imitating being drunk; actually being drunk is not required and may impair one's speed and ability to perform complex movements.[1]
The form is short and simple, consisting of a few dozen or so movements. Much of the moves are performed at a low ground level, with rolling, tumbling and falling techniques. There are also many unusual grappling and blocking techniques. The higher level attacks include eye pokes and throat hits, as well as blocks and punches (with punching being exceptional, as monkeys generally do not attack with their fists). There are also many middle attacks such as kicks aimed to the stomach area, and lower attacks to the lower abdomen, groin and legs.
The inspiration for Drunken Monkey was given by its founder, Kou-Sze in honor of "Sūn Wùkōng" from the story "Journey to the West", written in the Ming Dynasty by Wu Cheng'en.[1] In the story, the Monkey King stole all the peaches of the "spiritual peach tree" of the Heavenly King Mother and drank all the wine reserved for fairies and immortals who were invited to the birthday party of the Heavenly King. The Heavenly King became enraged and the Monkey King made a mess of the Heavenly Palace after fighting and defeating all of the Heavens' warriors. The Monkey King had to be finally subdued by Buddha Yu-lei.