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Spreading Traditional Chinese CultureByWang Shasha April 4, 2024
Pinnick, born in 1990, has been obsessed with Chinese martial arts since childhood. He once watched a video, by chance, in which Yuan Shimao, the 15th-generation master of the Zhang Sanfeng Lineage of Wudang martial arts, was practicing martial arts at the foot of Wudang Mountains. At that moment, Pinnick decided to study martial arts under Yuan.
Pinnick not only loves Chinese martial arts, he also has a deep love for traditional Chinese culture, including Taoism. Taoism, or Daoism, is a philosophical tradition of Chinese origin attributed to ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu that emphasizes harmony between humanity and the natural world.
Pinnick's passion for traditional Chinese culture has deeply touched his wife. Cao believes Pinnick has a Chinese heart, despite having a foreigner's face. "He is eager to learn traditional Chinese culture comprehensively. Besides martial arts and Taoism, he also learns tea culture and practices traditional Chinese musical instruments, such asguqin (a seven-stringed Chinese zither) anddongxiao(a vertical end-blown flute made of bamboo). He even wrote a book, in English, on how to play dongxiao, so he could introduce it to more foreigners," Cao says.
Pinnick enjoys his life in China, and he regards Wudang as his second hometown. "I love Wudang so much. The martial arts, the scenery and the people here make me feel like this is my hometown. People here are very nice to me. I came to Wudang from a completely different world, but I do feel like I have found myself here, and I have found my family and life here. To this day, everything in my life is centered on Wudang," he says.
"People have asked me whether there are cultural differences within our family. It seems to me that we don't have it. Jake has always tried to adapt to China, and I have never tried to change him. Instead, he has influenced me and our daughter, in terms of traditional Chinese culture. I'm proud of that," Cao says.
Pinnick says he hopes to open a martial arts school in China, or in the US, to teach people around the world about real martial arts, and about traditional Chinese culture. "I think the experience I've had, being a foreigner coming to China and learning Chinese culture from outside, is unique. I hope I can be like a 'bridge' between different cultures," he says.
Photos by Wu Zhizun (Women of China English Monthly February 2024) 32.3KPlease understand that womenofchina.cn,a non-profit, information-communication website, cannot reach every writer before using articles and images. For copyright issues, please contact us by emailing: [email protected]. The articles published and opinions expressed on this website represent the opinions of writers and are not necessarily shared by womenofchina.cn. CommentsMagazinesProjects
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