Wu means the martial, while Xia means heroes. “Wuxia America”, written by Michael DeMarco, unfurls around an ordinary American citizen’s evolution into a hero, a transformation catalyzed not solely by martial prowess, but also by bravery and unwavering integrity.
Born in the Year of the Snake, denoting 1953, Sifu DeMarco’s life journey commenced in Erie, Pennsylvania. His formative years exposed him to the gritty facets of the city, prompting a yearning for self-defense skills. This desire found its roots in elementary school and persisted through his growth. It was during his 8th-grade phase that he encountered Sifu Arthur Sykes (1934–2008), a prominent exponent of the Kuntao-Silat amalgamation, which was created by Willem Reeders (1917 – 1990). Emerging amidst the lush expanse of an Indonesian tea plantation, Grandmaster Reeders boasted Dutch and Chinese heritage. His tutelage in Chinese martial arts under the guidance of his uncle seamlessly intertwined with his pursuit of Indonesian martial art Silat. A remarkable juncture in his journey led to the inception of a composite system – Kuntao-Silat.
Following an immersive decade delving into the Kuntao-Silat discipline, Michael’s martial art path took a transformative turn when he encountered Dong Style Tai Chi Chuan during his college years. His interest in eastern philosophy led him to attain a master’s degree in Asian Studies at Seton Hall University, a stepping stone to a deeper connection with the East. In 1976, he embarked on a journey to Taiwan, drawn by the allure of mastering the Chinese language. During this juncture, fate intertwined with his quest, introducing him to Master Yang Qingyu (1915 – 2002) in Taipei, Taiwan. This encounter marked the inception of his acquaintance with an ancient Yang Style Tai Chi. Subsequent visits to Taiwan fostered an enduring mentorship with Master Yang until Master Yang’s relocation to another city.
Michael’s odyssey took another pivot, leading him to the study of authentic Chen Style Tai Chi under the guidance of Du Yuze (1896 – 1990). When prompted to reveal his favored Tai Chi style, his response epitomized a holistic perspective – he perceives all Tai Chi styles as a single harmonious family. Remarkably, the bedrock of his Kuntao-Silat training enriches his Tai Chi practice, infusing it with substance as genuine martial art. The symbiotic relationship between Kuntao-Silat and Tai Chi became evident as they mutually inform and deepen his comprehension of each other.
Sifu Michael DeMarco is an expert and advocate of Asian martial arts. Aside from his own practice of martial art, through his dedication to promote awareness of Asian martial arts, more than 400 in-depth articles with academic standards or practical experience were solicited from experts and scholars and published in the Journal of Asian Martial Arts from 1992 to 2012. Many university libraries were regular subscribers of the Journal. In addition to major martial arts of Chinese, Korean, and Japanese origins, the Journal of Asian Martial Arts featured wonderful pieces on rarely studied arts, including Burmese Bando, south India’s Kalaripayattu, Korean Taekyon, Vietnamese That Son, Mongolian wrestling, north India’s Thang-ta, Cambodia’s Khun Khmer Boran, Indonesian Silat, and Iranian wrestling Zurkhaneh. According to Michael, learning about the minor arts provides us with a better understanding of the arts we are most familiar with. Later, his company, Via Media Publishing, assembled and published 55 anthologies available in both print and ebook formats. Derived from the Journal’s repository, each anthology is meticulously organized around specific themes like Chen Tai Chi Chuan, Judo Kata, scholarly approaches to martial arts research, and Taekwondo. This structure enables readers to immerse themselves in subjects of their preference. An exhaustive list can be accessed through this link. In addition to the anthology series, 15 enriching books emerged from their endeavors.
Following years dedicated to meticulous research and scholarly engagement, Sifu Michael sought a creative respite. This quest birthed “Martial Arts Essays from Beijing, 1760,” a fictional work that ignited his passion for imaginative storytelling. This spark led him down a new avenue, culminating in the creation of a crime and mystery novel. “Wuxia America” exudes the essence of a Chinese herbal concoction; its plot seasoned with intrigue. The central figure, Dr. Lou, a Chinese American doctor, finds himself ensnared by an international criminal syndicate. The gravity of the situation is underscored by FBI involvement, with Dr. Lou’s insights proving indispensable to the investigation. His unique perspective draws from a fusion of martial arts expertise, Chinese medicinal knowledge, and ancestral relationships with early Chinese immigrants to the U.S.
Amidst the yearnings for prosperity that kindled the development of the American West and the gold rush, the bold vision of the First Transcontinental Railroad emerged. This monumental project aimed to span 1,911 miles from Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Sacramento, California, traversing the treacherous Nevada Sierra. The construction faced daunting challenges, exacerbated by harsh weather and perilous landscapes. Due to the high fatality rate during construction, American labor was reluctant to participate in the project, with the exception of a few Irish immigrants contributing, and the project was put on hold for a while. In a pivotal turn, attention turned to China, where at least 15,000 Chinese laborers were recruited to undertake this Herculean task. Alongside them came additional Chinese immigrants, providing essential support encompassing food, clothing, medicine, finance, and other livelihood needs. The culmination of their efforts materialized in the completion of the railroad in 1869. Skillfully interweaving this historical backdrop, Michael seamlessly integrates it into a tapestry woven with themes of bone restitution, gold, firearms, and insatiable avarice.
In “Wuxia America,” the protagonist engages in several exhilarating combat sequences that capture the imagination. Curiosity led me to inquire whether these sequences were rooted in any specific martial art tradition. Sifu DeMarco elucidated that within the realm of Chinese martial arts, there exists a discipline known as Ziranmen (自然門), often translated as natural or spontaneous boxing. It stands as a commendable aspiration for anyone immersed in martial practice. The essence lies in transcending the ‘doing’ of a particular style; otherwise, movements become contrived, lacking in genuine spontaneity.
During his long-term Tai Chi chuan instruction, a recurring theme is the pursuit of natural movement. But what precisely does this entail? It signifies a departure from mimicking an instructor or others precisely. Instead, it involves attuning oneself to the intrinsic dynamics of their own body, forging an organic conduit through techniques. In this context, individual variations in bone structure, height, weight, and strength come to the fore, imparting distinctiveness to stances and postures. Consequently, the combat scenarios depicted in the book are not emblematic of a singular style but rather echo the underlying principles of fluid motion.
Sifu DeMarco draws an insightful parallel to music to convey this nuanced concept. He likens adhering to a specific martial style to playing from sheet music—an approach that is structured and predetermined. Conversely, the embodiment of natural movement evokes the realm of pure improvisation, where the essence of the art resonates through unrestricted expression.
Etymologically, ‘Wuxia’ encapsulates the notion of a ‘martial hero.’ Rooted in a profound affinity for Chinese philosophy and culture, Michael’s understanding transcends the literal, perceiving a Wuxia as an embodiment of virtue-driven character, integrity, and purposeful life. In his view, contemporary society offers all individuals the opportunity to embody the spirit of a Wuxia, with Dr. Lou serving as a potent exemplar. This resonant interpretation casts Michael DeMarco in the role of a Wuxia as well, a designation earned through his enduring commitment to fostering cultural diversity, traditional art and philosophy, and championing humanity’s cause.
Not long ago, I had the privilege of conducting an online interview with Sifu DeMarco. The recorded video is presented below.
“…a holistic perspective – he perceives all Tai Chi styles as a single harmonious family.” Yes!!!
Of course, maybe “harmonious” is not entirely appropriate, but despite conspicuous friction, families are bound by a shared heredity and should accept and focus on common roots.