Piguaquan

Pigua Zhang
Phách quải quyền
	Zhou Jing Xuan demonstrating Pigua Zhang's Dan Pi Zhang (single splitting palm)
Also known as	Pigua Quan, Pi Kua, Axe-hitch boxing
Focus	Striking with whipping motions and heavy hands. Use of the Dao (Chinese broadsword), Short stick, Medium staff (Feng Mo Gun) and Miao Dao (Chinese longsword)
Hardness	Hard, but has soft elements
Country of origin	China
Creator	Nampi lineage:Guo Dafa; Yanshan lineage:Zhuo Baomei
Famous practitioners	Nampi lineage:Guo Changsheng; Yanshan lineage:Ma Yingtu
Parenthood	Northern Chinese martial arts,Tongbeiquan
Olympic sport	No

Piguaquan(Chinese:Phách quải quyền;lit.'chop-hanging fist'), also known asPiguazhang(Chinese:Phách quải chưởng;lit.'chop-hanging palm') due to its emphasis on palm techniques, is often practiced along withBajiquan(Chinese:Bát cực quyền;lit.'eight extremes fist')^[1]and is a style ofwushu(Chinese martial arts) that features explosive, long-range power. It originated inCangzhou,a prefecture inHebeiProvince ofNorth China,but today is also well known in other locales, includingTaiwan.Piguaquan's power is from the accelerational force of the arms which are often in rotation. The hip movement in Piguaquan is more subtle and gentle compared to Bajiquan, because you only need enough to guide the big chops whereas inBajiquan,the hammers, punches, elbows and swings rely completely on the quick and powerful rotation of the hips, and sink to bring its power out.

Contemporary History

Piguaquan has a long rich history. During middle Ming dynasty it has already spread amongst the martial arts practitioners amongst the common people. During the middle Qing dynasty there are two major branches of Piguaquan inCangzhou.^{[citation needed]}One branch led by Guo Dafa of Nanpi village,^[2]who had remarkable martial prowess that led to him later becoming an imperial bodyguard.^{[citation needed]}The other branch was led by Zhuo Baomei of Yanshan village, who specialized in the Qinglong forms and Pigua slow forms.^{[citation needed]}

In 1928, the Nationalist Republic establishedCentral Guoshu Institutewhere Ma Yingtu (1898–1956) and Guo Changsheng, practitioner of the Yanshan and Nanpi lineages were martial arts coaches.^[2]The two soon became friends. After in-depth study and analysis, taking elements from the two lineages and combining them into one new style, while also adding skills from the 24 forms ofTongbeiquan.^[3]The two professors also incorporated weaponry into the style, including Feng Mo (Crazy Demon) Staff, Pigua Dao (Pigua broadsword), and Miao Dao forms, filling the void of lacking weaponry in the old lineages.^{[citation needed]}

Relationship with Bajiquan

Piguaquan andBajiquanare often taught as complementary martial arts, especially in Taiwan. In fact, there is a Chinese martial arts proverb that goes: "When pigua is added to baji, gods and demons will all be terrified. When baji is added to pigua, heroes will sigh knowing they are no match against it." ( bát cực tham phách quải, thần quỷ đô hại phạ. Phách quải tham bát cực, anh hùng thán mạc cập )^[4]

In mainland China, Piguaquan is still often practiced as a stand-alone art as well. Among some lineages of the art in mainland China, there had developed practice forms (taolu) and methods which are called "Baji-Pigua", which combine elements from both arts.

Historically, many famous teachers, such asLiu Yunqiaoand Ma Fengtu have practiced and taught both arts. In the present day, this tradition continuous among various teachers, such asSu Yu-chang,Tony Yang,Adam Hsu(United States) and Zhou Jingxuan (mainland China).^[5]

In popular culture

Pigua Zhang is one of the styles used by the female characterLing Xiaoyuin theTekkenvideo game franchise,Helena Douglasin theDead or Aliveseries,ScorpioninMortal Kombat: Deadly Alliance,andHotaruinMortal Kombat: DeceptionandMortal Kombat: Armageddon.Also is shown by Xiuying Hong fromShenmue,sometimes along with some moves fromBajiquan.

Pigua Zhang is one of the fighting styles of the character Hermit (Tanimoto Natsu) in the Japanese manga and anime seriesHistory's Strongest Disciple Kenichialong withBajiquan.

The art has also been featured in the Japanese manga seriesKenji.

References

^Chris Crudelli (2008).The Way of the Warrior.Dorling Kindersley Ltd.ISBN 978-14-0533-750-2.
^^a ^bGabrielle Habersetzer & Roland Habersetzer (2004).Encyclopédie technique, historique, biographique et culturelle des arts martiaux de l'Extrême-Orient.Editions Amphora.ISBN 28-5180-660-2.
^Sensei/Renshi Nathan Chlumsky (2015).Inside Kungfu: Chinese Martial Arts Encyclopedia.Lulu.com.ISBN 978-13-2911-942-0.
^Bajimen.comPiguazhang
^"Mistrza Zhou Jingxuan z Tianjin w Polsce".eOstroleka. 1 November 2011.Archivedfrom the original on October 22, 2016.Retrieved2016-10-09.

External links

"The Versatile Whip of Pigua Zhang" - an article about the art

[1] Chris Crudelli (2008).The Way of the Warrior.Dorling Kindersley Ltd.ISBN 978-14-0533-750-2.

[ETHBECDAMDL-2] Gabrielle Habersetzer & Roland Habersetzer (2004).Encyclopédie technique, historique, biographique et culturelle des arts martiaux de l'Extrême-Orient.Editions Amphora.ISBN 28-5180-660-2.

[3] Sensei/Renshi Nathan Chlumsky (2015).Inside Kungfu: Chinese Martial Arts Encyclopedia.Lulu.com.ISBN 978-13-2911-942-0.

[4] Bajimen.comPiguazhang

[5] "Mistrza Zhou Jingxuan z Tianjin w Polsce".eOstroleka. 1 November 2011.Archivedfrom the original on October 22, 2016.Retrieved2016-10-09.

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