Lin Kuei
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For the Mortal Kombat clan of the same name, see Lin Kuei (Mortal Kombat).
The forerunners of the Japanese Ninja, the Lin Kuei clan, also known as forest demons, were an ancient secretive cult that operated in northern China about 3,500 years ago. The history of the Lin Kuei is dark and mysterious as the warriors’ very existence. Not much is known about their beginnings other than which has been passed down orally one generation to the next. The Lin Kuei were masters of survival and they thrive in the woods and made their living there adapting to the ways of nature. There is contreversy on Lin Kuei because there is no evidence to show that they ever existed. They were first mentioned in books in the 80s that tried to cash in on the Ninja Boom of the time but it is not historically supported and no Chinese Martial Arts scholar or historian has ever spoken of their existence.
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[edit] The Lin Kuei Hierarchy
The siang (clan) had also developed an animallike caste system which provided that the strongest and wisest of the men would be the leader. He became known as the U-Lin, which translates as the “wizard of the forest”. The name derived from the man’s almost mystical control of his surroundings. It has been said that he would make the river dry up with just a few words and make the trees fall around him as “hidings”. The clansman whose in second in command was called the disciple of the wizard, or Mui-Tou. His primary function was to train under the U-Lin so that he would be ready to assume the role of the leader when the time came. He was generally chosen because of his physical abilities. His mind was considered of second importance, and it was the last element to be developed. There were several classes of men below the Mui Tou. The Lin-Iung (forest warriors) comprised the higher class. Their only job was to protect the camp, but their days were to be spent hunting and training for the most part. The next class was called the Lin-Tsu (forest spiders). These men were assigned the task of feeding the clan and teaching the children the ways of nature.
[edit] Living
The clan’s encampment was generally located near the water for convenience, making drinking, bathing, and fishing readily available. An additional advantage of water was that it provided a “scent covering” access to the camp. Water was also used for training purposes by providing both resistance for kicking and punching techniques and a place for perfecting silent, water-stalking methods.
The burrows where the clansmen slept were usually dug in the midst of bushes so that the men could enter and leave unseen, if necessary. It also aided in providing safety from larger animals. The U-Lin lived in a secluded hideaway called the Haun-Tei (mystical grounds). This living arrangement added to his illusion of superiority, which was needed to control the clan.
The higher class of clansmen, the Lin-Iung, was divided into different rankings. Each man began his training by studying a certain animal. Once he completely mastered his art, he would go on to study the next animal. With each new animal came a higher rank, and at one time, there were over 23 different creatures to be studied by the Lin-Iung. Because of the fierce training which lasted most of the day, except for the time devoted to hunting, the clan prospered. The training was hard and designed by the U-lin to cull the weaker men of the clan. It wasn't unusual for a weak or sickly clansman to disappear during a hard day of training, never to return. Just as it was with nature, only the strongest survive. The clan was not nomadic, moving their camp only when the food supply was depleted or civilization headed their way. Civilization plagued the clan for many years, forcing them to move further north and deeper into the forest in order to avoid discovery.
[edit] Raids
Lin Kuei clansmen would raid villages that lived 10 or 15 miles away from them. Before doing so they would send one of the Lin-lung and he would report back to the clan mentioning how prosperous the villages seem to be. They would raid the village and steal amounts of food and a few animals. Personal danger was not a serious issue on a daily basis for years. Their animallike training methods had heightened their senses and gifted the men with unparalleled combat expertise. Since the safety of their families concerned the clansmen, they had to find a way to keep the villagers from searching the forests in pursuit of the newly born thieves. As usual the U-Lin was called to devise another plan. His solution was to have the clansmen “scare” the villagers away from their encampment.
[edit] Body and Mind Training
Kuei warriors begin training in early childhood, persisting until death. In many instances, death came long before old age could be attained, since an unfit Kuei succumbed to the often-perilous training methods designed to weed out the weaker clan members.
The clan’s skills in the fields of hunting, fighting, and forest survival could be traced to the animals. The animals were also responsible for the building of the Lin Kuei caste system. Over 20 creatures were observed by the Kuei for training purposes. However, most of the Lin-lung were lucky to learn as many as 6 of these creature arts in whole, and perhaps parts of 7 or 8 additional ones. The U-Lin alone retains full knowledge of all these arts, thereby giving him much of the leverage needed to maintain his rule over the clan. Only his “heir” was ever allowed to eventually share all of this “secret” knowledge.
The twenty plus forest creatures studied by the Kuei ranged from small insects to the legendary dragon, as taught by the priest. Each of the creatures has its own behavior and purpose, and its own unique behavior added to the Lin Kuei’s arsenal. By studying a deer’s feeding, for example, the clan learned to forecast the coming of storms.
[edit] Stealth
While studying the ways of the snake, the Lin Kuei learned to stay slow and move silently in a prone position. He would crawl silently along the ground, trying to sneak up on his fellow Kuei and other forest life. As a rule, when a Kuei crawls, only his feet and hands are permitted to touch the ground. The clan perfected this particular facet of training by using it often during their many raids on the village.
[edit] Weapons
Due to the Lin Kuei’s lifestyle, their weapons primarily consisted of wooden and cord implements. Steel-bladed weapons, explosives, and poisons were eventually added to their arsenal. Most of the clan’s training with weaponry came in the form of actual application during various raids, but there were also one- and two-man sets (drills) which were performed in prearranged and free-form patterns. Most young men bore many years scars on their arms and legs as a result of such training methods.
Snares and traps were also frequently used. After the priest’s appointment to the position of U-Lin, the Kuei would tie rope across an escape path and place foot knives on the ground, blade up, several feet from the rope. When the villagers chased the Kuei, they would trip over the rope and fall unto the footknives, often killing themselves. Many lethal traps were used such as covered pits, hangman loops, falling trees, and projecting limbs.
[edit] Lin Kuei as Vagabonds
Some Lin Kuei ended up traveling to distant lands in search of more knowledge. Their travels would lead them to Japan and they would become one of the key elements along with Shugendo founder, En no Gyoja, to develop the art of Ninjutsu. Others traveled to Korea and would soon give birth to the Hwarang warriors.
