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Bajiquan

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Bajiquan
Bát Cực Quyền
Master Wu Lianzhi, in the typical stance ofbajiquanstyle, − theHorse Stance
Also known asEight Extremities bo xing, Bodyguard style
FocusStriking
Country of originGreater China
CreatorUnknown[1]
Famous practitionersLi Shuwen,Liu Yunqiao,Adam Hsu,Su Yu-chang,Ryuchi Matsuda,Li Jianwu,Wu Lianzhi,Wu Yue
Olympic sportNo

Bajiquan(Chinese:Bát Cực Quyền;pinyin:Bājíquán) is atraditional Chinese martial artthat features explosive, short-range power in close-combat and is well known for its rapidelbowandshoulderstrikes.[2]Its full name iskaimen bajiquan(Chinese:Mở cửa Bát Cực Quyền;pinyin:Kāimén bājíquán;lit.'open-gate eight-extremities bo xing ').

Theeight extremitiesin Bajiquan refers to the eight distalmost parts of the body to strike the opponent. This includes the fist, forearm, elbow, shoulder, hip, thigh, knee and foot to deliver a powerful blow in close range. Bajiquan is also known as the "bodyguard style",as this was the pugilism style taught and used by personal bodyguards forMao Zedong,Chiang Kai-shekandPuyi(the lastQing dynastyemperor).

Bajiquanis now popular in northernChinaandTaiwan.Later, it was introduced toJapan,South Koreaand other countries, such as theUnited States,Canada,Britain,France,Italyamong others.

Etymology

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Bajiquan
Chinese name
Traditional ChineseBát Cực Quyền
Simplified ChineseBát Cực Quyền
Hanyu PinyinBājíquán
Literal meaning"Eight Extremities Fist"
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinBājíquán
Wade–GilesPa Chi Ch'uan
Japanese name
KanjiBát Cực Quyền
Kanaはっきょくけん
Transcriptions
RomanizationHakkyoku ken


According to most common etymology,bajiquanwas originally calledbaziquan(Cái cào quyền;'rake fists/bo xing ') because the fists, held loosely and slightly open, are used to strike downwards in a rake-like fashion. The name was considered to be rather crude, so it was changed tobajiquan.The termbajicomes from theI Chingand signifies an "extension of all directions". In this case, it means "including everything" or "the universe".[3][4]

Most people believe thatBajiquanwas originally known asBazi Quan,in whichbazi'means "rake." The style acquired this name because of the shape of most of the fists used. The termbaziwas later changed tobaji,which means "to reach far away in all directions." This was considered a more apt and noteworthy description of the style, because it suggests the ability to achieve great things.

— Lu Shengli[3]

However, this etymology is not universally accepted.[5]

History

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Little is known about the origin of the style. Information before theRepublican era of Chinais extremely rare, with clearest documentation beginning circa 1920s-1930s.

The first practitioner clearly identified in written history was a man named Wu Zhong (Ngô chung;Wú Zhōng;1712-1802), a member of theHuiminority and from the Wu family clan of theMengcunregion ofCangzhou,Hebei.[6][3]

According to the genealogical records of the Wu family, Wu Zhong's great-grandfather left the family stronghold to settle about 50 km away in the isolated hamlet of Houzhuangke ( sau trang khoa ) in the neighboring province ofShandong.Wu Zhong is said to have been born in Houzhuangke before returning to settle with the main branch of his family in the village of Mengcun, Hebei province. Little is known of Wu Zhong, except that he quickly reached an unparalleled level in the practice of martial arts. His prowess earned him the nickname "god of the spear", as well as being recruited to serve as an instructor at the imperial court underPrince Xun.When he was about 60 years old, Wu Zhong returned to Mengcun where he devoted the last thirty years of his life to transmitting his fighting art, and the village became the source of the development ofbajiquan.[7]

The origin of the mastery acquired by Wu Zhong remains unknown to this day, it is currently the subject of many controversies between the different branches ofbajiquan.Historical documents contain two versions of the origins ofbajiquan:

  • The Cang County annals,[7]thebajimanual of the Wu family,[8]and the Pobei manuscript indicate that an itinerantTaoistmonk by the name of Lai (Chốc;lài;'the leper') and his disciple Pi (Phích;;'the enthusiast') would have stayed in Mengcun to teachbajiquanas well as the handling of the great spear to Wu Zhong. By the admission of the Wu family of Mengcun, this reference is probably to be considered as a legend.;[9][10][11]
  • The other is Zhang Yueshan, a monk fromYueshan TempleinHenan Province(eitherZhengzhouorJiaozuo), who was returning to secular life and traveling around. It is said that he taught the great spear method.[10][3][12]
  • Besides those two theories, there is also speculation that the martial art originates from Shaolin Temple in Henan, unrelated to Zhang Yueshan.[13]

In any case, all sources agree on the fact that Wu Zhong traveled a lot, and that it was only at the end of his life that he devoted himself to teachingbajiquan.It is presumed that the legend of Lai and Pi simply symbolizes the martial knowledge that Wu Zhong was able to acquire throughout his life, probably from the study of the other styles of the region, and that he crystalized it in the form ofbajiquan.

The first historical reference tobajiquanappears in military treaty calledJixiao Xinshuwritten by generalQi Jiguang(1528-1588). It is inferred thatbajiquanmay have been a well-established martial art during the 16th Century.[14][3][1][15]

Wu Zhong had only one child, his daughter Wu Rong (Ngô vinh;Wú Róng), who at the age of 30 married an expert inChangquanand stopped practicingbajiquanafter a few years. To avoid remaining childless and ensure the continuity of his art, Wu Zhong adopted Wu Ying (Ngô oanh;Wú Yíng), a distant nephew of the Wu family of Mengcun. Wu Zhong transmitted all his knowledge to Wu Ying, as well as to Wu Zhongyu (Chinese:Ngô chung dục), another distant nephew of the Wu family of Mengcun. In 1790, at the request of his master, Wu Ying officially introduced the name "bajiquan"and he wrote the first martial manual of the Wu family to ensure the transmission of the family art among generations to come. Thus,bajiquanwas transmitted within the Wu family who also ensured the dissemination of the style to other families in Mengcun and the surrounding villages.[16][17]

At first,bajiquanwas transmitted mainly to the Hui people of Meng Village, but it was also transmitted to Luohan, an area where manyHan peoplelive. Eventually, it came to be divided into the Hui lineage of Mencun and the Han lineage of Luo.

Contemporary history ofbajiquan

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Li Shuwen (1860-1934) was considered one of the most important movers of the martial art duringQing dynasty.[18]He was from Cangzhou (Thương Châu), Hebei, and acquired the nickname "God of Spear Li".[19]ABeijing operaWu Shen(martial male character) by training, he was also an expert fighter. His most famous quote is, "I do not know what it's like to hit a man twice."[20]Li Shuwen's students included Huo Dian Ge (Hoắc điện các) (bodyguard toPuyi,the last Emperor of China), Li Chenwu (bodyguard toMao Zedong), andLiu Yunqiao(Lưu Vân tiều) (secret agent for the nationalistKuomintangand instructor of theChiang Kai-shek's bodyguards).[21]Bajiquanhas since acquired a reputation as the "bodyguard style".[22][23]Ma Fengtu (Mã phượng đồ) and Ma Yintu (Mã anh đồ) introducedbajiquaninto theCentral Guoshu Institute(Nanjing Guoshu GuanNam Kinh võ thuật truyền thống Trung Quốc quán) where it is required for all students.[24]

The impetus that set the spread ofbajiquanthroughout China was that of theCentral Guoshu Institute,as a regular course common to the two training courses "Shaolin Gate" and "Wudang Gate". It all started with the establishment of "bajiquanteaching materials for group training "( đoàn thể huấn luyện dùng Bát Cực Quyền giáo tài ). As the branch of Central Guoshu Institute expanded,bajiquanbecame more popular and popularized.

Relation topiguaquan

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In the tradition of Ma brothers,bajiquanis believed to share roots with another Hebei martial art,piguaquan.It is said that Wu Zhong, the oldest traceable master in thebajiquanlineage, taught both arts together as an integrated fighting system.[25]The legend has it that they eventually split apart, only to be recombined by Li Shuwen in the late 18th to early 19th century. As a testament to the complementary nature of these two styles, a proverb states: "Whenpiguais added tobaji,gods and demons will all be terrified. Whenbajiis added topigua,heroes will sigh knowing they are no match against it. "(Bát cực tham phách quải, thần quỷ đều sợ hãi. Phách quải tham bát cực, anh hùng than không kịp)[25][26]

No historical proofs supporting this version, however, were found.

Branches and lineages

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Prominent branches and lineages of the art survived to modern times, including Han-style, Huo-style, Ji-style, Li-style, Ma-style, Qiang-style, Wu-style (from Wu Xiefeng), Wutan-style, andyin yang-stylebajiquan.Each has a unique element while sharing core practices. Some lineages are more common or only exist inChina,while others have spread to Western countries.

Mengcunbajiquan

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Meng Village (Mengcun) is said to be the original birthplace ofbajiquan,or at least the modern versions of the art.[1]Bajiis still widely practiced there.

Nanjingbajiquan

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Bajiquanof Nanjing was introduced to the Guoshu Institute by students of Zhang Jing xing, Han Huiqing, and Ma Yingtu. Han had a great influence on the spread ofbajiin southern China, to the point that there was a sayingbei li nan hanmeaning "Li [Shuwen] in the north and Han [Huachen] in the south".[27]

Wu Xiufeng

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Wu Xiufeng[28](1908–1976) is the "grandfather" of many modernbajilineages. The following lineages descend from him.

Tian-style

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Tian-style is a branch which has mutual influences from Jingang Bashi—the second art practiced by Tian Jinzhong. Practitioners include Wu Xiufeng, Tian Jinzhong, and Shen Jiarui[29]>> Zhou Jingxuan[30][31]Tian-style is practiced in China and abroad.[32]

Yin Yang-style

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Yin Yang-style was created by Zhao Fu gian g, who combined his knowledge ofbaji,Xing yiquanandyiquanto create a new art form.[33]Yin-Yang is primarily practiced in China.

Wutan-stylebaji

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Wutan-stylebaji[34]is the most common lineage in the West today. Originally from Taiwan, where its founder, Liu Yunqiao, lived. This lineage includes additional arts that are taught alongsidebaji,such aspiguaquanandbaguazhang.

Jian Diansheng[35]>> Li Shuwen[36]>>Liu Yunqiao>>Adam Hsu,[37]Su Yuchang,and Tony Yang[38]>> Many students inTaiwanand abroad (taught by one or more of them).[39]

Features

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Tactics and strategy

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Bajiquanopens the opponent's arms forcibly (qiang kai men;Cường mở cửa) and mount attacks at high, mid, and low levels of the body (san pan lian ji;Tam bàn liên kích). It is most useful in close combat, as it focuses on elbow, knee, shoulder and hip strikes. When blocking an attack or nearing an opponent,bajiquantechniques emphasize striking major points of vulnerability, namely the thorax (trunk of the body), legs and neck.

Zhou Jingxuan of Tianjin, holding a typicalbajiquanposture. The sideways-protruding elbow is often used for striking in this art.

The "six big ways of opening" (liu da kai;Sáu mở rộng ra) are:[40]

  • Ding(Đỉnh): using the fist, elbow or shoulder to push forward and upward.
  • Bao(Ôm): putting arms together as if hugging someone. It is usually followed bypiPhách(splitting).[41]
  • Ti(Đề): elevating the knee to hit the thigh of the opponent, or elevating the foot to hit the shin of the opponent, etc.
  • Dan(Đơn): using a single move.
  • Kua(Hông): using the hip.
  • Chan(Triền): entanglement with rotation around the wrist, elbow and shoulder.

Stepping and body methods

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Footwork inbajiquanhas three special features:

  • Zhenjiao
  • Nianbu
  • Chuangbu[42]

These striking techniques are related totraditional Chinese medicine,which states that all parts of the body are connected, either physically or spiritually.

Forms

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The forms ofbajiare divided into armed and unarmed routines. There are twenty fist forms, which include twelvebajiSmall Structure Fists,bajiBlack Tiger Fist,baji danzhai,baji danda/duida,baji luohan gong,andbaji si lang kuan.There are eight weapons forms, includingliuhedaqiang(spear),chun yangGian(sword),san yindao(sabre),Xing zhe bang(staff),pudao,andchun qiudadao(a long two-handed heavy blade, used by Generals sitting on their horses).

Most schools focus on a much smaller curriculum. Standard across almost all groups arexiaobajianddabaji;two weapons forms, the sabre and the spear; a two-man training routine calledbaji duijieorbaji duidaand a series of 8 short attacking methods called the "bashi"(Eight Postures), which are derived from the art of Shaolinjingang bashi.

Power generation and expression

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The major features ofbajiinclude elbow strikes, arm/fist punches, hip checks and strikes with the shoulder. All techniques are executed with a short power, developed through training; among Chinese martial artists,bajiis known for its fast movements.Bajifocuses on infighting, entering from a longer range with a distinctive charging step (zhenjiao).

The essence ofbajiquanlies injin,or power-issuing methods, particularlyfa jin(explosive power). The style contains six types ofjin,eight different ways to hit and several principles of power usage. Most ofbajiquan's moves utilize a one-hit push-strike method from very close range. The bulk of the damage is dealt through the momentary acceleration that travels up from the waist to the limb and further magnified by the charging step known aszhenjiao.

The mechanics ofjinare developed through many years of practice andbajiquanis known for its strenuous lower-body training and its emphasis on thehorse stance.[20]Its horse stance is higher than that of typicalchangquanstyles. Like other styles, there is also "the arrow-bow stance", "the one-leg stance", "the empty stance" (Hư bước;xūbù), "the drop stance" (Phó bước;pūbù), etc. There are eight different hand poses, in addition to different types of breathing andzhenjiao.

Influences

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Bajifocuses on being more direct, culminating in powerful, fast strikes that will render an opponent unable to continue. Even so, there are some styles that are derived frombaji's main principles or concepts on how to hit the opponent:

  • Eight postures (Bashi)
  • Eight movements method (Bashi gong)
  • Eight movements method (Bashi chui)
  • Double Eight Postures (Shuang bashi)
  • Eight postures of the dragon style (Long xing bashi)

Many of these forms are also based or mixed withluohanquan,aShaolinstyle.[citation needed]The termbashimay also refer tobaji.The term is also used inXing yiquan.

Notable people

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Bajiquanis a staple inmartial artsmedia, appearing in variousmoviesandvideo games.

Japan

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Bajiquanhas hugely impacted the Japanese pop culture. In Japanese, it is known ashakkyokuken,a Japanese reading of theChinese charactersused to writebajiquan.Bajiquan's impact would begin withKenji (manga),a manga series written byRyuchi Matsudaand illustrated byYoshihide Fujiwara.It follows a teenage practitioner ofBajiquanand is supposedly based on Ryuichi Matsuda's own journey inChinese martial arts.[46]

In 1993,Yu Suzuki- who got interested in martial arts because of the manga, Kenji - would directVirtua Fighter,a groundbreaking3Dfighting game.The game was hugely successful in Japan and amongst the roster was abajiquanpractitionerAkira Yuki,solidifyingbajiquan's stay in Japanese pop-culture.Bajiquanis also central to Yu Suzuki'sShenmue,a "sister" game to Virtua Fighter series.

Bajiquanis featured in many manga/anime series, includingAir Master,Gantz,Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple,Fist of the Blue Sky,Undead Unluck,Love Hina[citation needed],Negima! Magister Negi Magi[citation needed],Beelzebub[citation needed]andGarōden[47]

In Japanese video games, it is featured in:

See also

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Bibliography

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  • Lu Shengli (2006).Combat Techniques of Taiji, Xingyi, and Bagua: Principles and Practices of Internal Martial Arts.Translated by Zhang Yun. Blue Snake Books.ISBN9781583941454.
  • Chris Crudelli (2008).The Way of the Warrior.Dorling Kindersley Ltd.ISBN978-14-0533-750-2.
  • Liu Yunqi (1992).Bát Cực Quyền[Bajiquan] (in Japanese). Translated by Masaru Oyanagi (to Japanese). Shinsei Publishing.ISBN4405080593.
  • Ryuchi Matsuda, Kotatsu Nogami (1986).Trung Quốc vân thống mở cửa Bát Cực Quyền thật chiến võ thuật の tinh 粋 thông bị môn の toàn dung[Chinese Tradition Opening the Gate of Bajiquan, The Essence of Practical Martial Arts, The Full Picture of Pathway] (in Japanese). Fukushodo.ISBN4405080593.

References

[edit]
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  3. ^abcdeLu Shengli (2006), p.110
  4. ^Liu and Oyanagi (1992) p.15
  5. ^Lý sẽ ninh (Li Huining), Bát Cực Quyền văn hóa luận (Discussions sur la Culture du Bajiquan), Trung Quốc văn liên nhà xuất bản, 2004, 300 p. (ISBN978-7-5059-3559-4)
  6. ^Liu Yunqi (1992), p.18
  7. ^abCollectif, thương huyện thẳng (Annales du comté de Cang), thương huyện chí thư cục, 1933
  8. ^Ngô sẽ thanh (Wu Huiqing), Ngô thị Bát Cực Quyền thuật bí quyết chi phổ (Manuel des Secrets du Bajiquan de la Famille Wu), Manuel lithographié, 1936
  9. ^(zh) Ngô phi thỉnh (Wu Piqing), « hồi tộc võ thuật Bát Cực Quyền khảo thuật (Investigations sur le Baji Quan de la minorité Hui) », hồi tộc nghiên cứu (Journal de recherche sur la minorité Hui), 2004 (n°3), p. 83-86
  10. ^abMatsuda and Nogami (1986) p.38
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  34. ^Named after theWutan Center for the Promotion of Chinese Wushu( võ đàn võ thuật truyền thống Trung Quốc mở rộng trung tâm ), not to be confused with theWudang( Võ Đang ) of theWudang Mountains.
  35. ^"Li Shu Wen".goldeneaglemac.Archived fromthe originalon 2015-11-07.Retrieved2015-11-14."Li Shu Wen - Golden Eagle Martial Arts Center".Archived from the original on 2015-11-07.Retrieved2013-05-17.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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  41. ^"Xingyi".Perry Lo and the Shou-Yu Liang Wushu Taiji Qigong Institute. Archived fromthe originalon 2009-01-24.Retrieved2009-01-07."Welcome - Wu Chi Kung Fu Academy".Archived from the original on 2009-01-24.Retrieved2019-10-09.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
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  43. ^Matsuda, Ryuchi (1986). Zhōngguó wǔshù shǐlüè Trung Quốc võ thuật sử lược (in Chinese). Taipei Đài Bắc: Danqing tushu.
  44. ^Tokitsu, Kenji(1990-03-29)."L'histoire du karaté 19: Le regard dans le combat du kisémé"(in French). Tokitsu-Ryu. Archived fromthe originalon 2007-09-28.Retrieved2007-05-27.R. Matsuda est connu au Japon pour avoir introduit et fait connaître par de nombreuses publications différents arts de combat chinois dans le milieu des arts martiaux contemporains.
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  46. ^Tokitsu, Kenji(1990-03-29)."L'histoire du karaté 19: Le regard dans le combat du kisémé"(in French). Tokitsu-Ryu. Archived fromthe originalon 2007-09-28.Retrieved2007-05-27.
  47. ^"Garouden: The Way of the Lone Wolf, Season 1, Episode 5 Transcript".[permanent dead link]
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