Welcome to Post 52
Enjoy spring weather
and the precious form
TAM KIEN (Perseverance)
POST 52 April2025
Form Tam Kien Vietnamese Martial Arts
- Historic pictures
-Tam Kien : King Le-Loi model
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POST 52, April 2025 TAM KIEN
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Tam Kien
is one of the five core "quyen" (forms or kata) in Vietnamese
modern martial art VO-VIET. In this April 2025 Post 52, we present an
exceptional series of photographs featuring Tam Kien, performed by the
Grandmaster and founder Charles Phan Hoang in 2006, when he was 70
years old. These
images were taken by the Ottawa River, which unfortunately limited the
ability to capture all movements in their proper directional alignment.
However, this historic collection still showcases every movement of the Tam
Kien form |
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TAM KIEN: Model
of Perseverance |
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King
Lê Lợi’s Art of War The Ming
Dynasty (1368–1644), one of China’s most powerful imperial dynasties,
succeeded the Yuan Dynasty. In the early 15th century, during the reign of
Emperor Yongle (1402–1424), Ming forces invaded and occupied Dai-Viet (northern
part of modern-day Vietnam). The Vietnamese, led by the national hero Lê Lợi, launched a fierce resistance campaign that spanned
over a decade. By 1427, Lê Lợi's forces had successfully defeated the
Ming army, prompting their withdrawal. This victory paved the way for the
establishment of the Lê Dynasty, marking a new era of an independent and
sovereign Vietnam. King Lê Lợi stands as a pivotal figure in Vietnam’s 15th-century
history. His success was largely due to his mastery of guerrilla warfare, his
ability to rally popular support, form strategic alliances, use psychological
warfare, and his long-term vision for the nation’s future. Starting with
limited resources and an army primarily composed of local peasants and
farmers, Lê Lợi capitalized on the advantages offered by
the terrain. He struck quickly and retreated swiftly before the Ming could
mount an effective counterattack. His forces used their deep knowledge of the
local landscape to outmaneuver the larger, more powerful Ming army. From the
outset of his resistance, Lê Lợi
worked to cultivate an image as a liberator of the Vietnamese people, rather
than merely a nationalist leader. He spread a message of national unity and
justice, positioning himself as a defender of the common people. This
approach made him a symbol of hope and inspired widespread support for his
cause.
A key figure in
Lê Lợi’s success was Nguyễn
Trãi, a brilliant military strategist and advisor. Nguyễn Trãi not only contributed invaluable military
strategies but also authored the famous “Great Proclamation of Victory,”
which celebrated the defeat of the Ming forces and solidified Lê Lợi's legitimacy as a leader.
Perhaps Lê Lợi's most remarkable quality was his patience. The war
against the Ming lasted a decade, with guerrilla warfare as the backbone of
his strategy. Despite the overwhelming odds, Lê Lợi avoided rash confrontations, always ensuring his
forces were prepared. His long-term vision was clear: he understood that the
success of the resistance would depend on carefully gathering the necessary
resources and building sustained popular support over time. |
END POST 52 April 2025
