Ba Gua Zhang - The youngest of the 3 main
Chinese internal Martial arts, was created by Grandmaster Dong Hai Chuan (1799-1882), born in Zhu Jia Wu of Wen'an County
in He Bei Province.
Baguazhang was popularised in Beijing whilst Dong Hai Chuan was working in Prince Su mansion during the late
Qing dynasty. It became very popular with royalty at this time! It spread throughout Beijing and into Tianjin, He Bei province
and eventually across the whole country. It greatly influenced the whole field of martial arts and was very popular amongst
the practitioners.
Dong Hai Chuan had travelled all over China and was believed
to have studied Taoist concepts and theories from the I-Qing (Taoist book of changes) he used these concepts and training
methods and created Baguazhang.
Dong
was said to have accepted over 50 disciples, all of which were already accomplished masters in their own martial arts, some
even challenged Dong Hai Chuan to fight to prove their skills but none could beat him.
The three main disciples from which the most popular styles of baguazhang were created are
called Cheng Ting Hua, Yin Fu and Liang Zhen Pu. Each of the masters had different styles and forms but they all used the
same theories and concepts as taught by Dong Hai Chuan.
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| Cheng Ting Hua |
Cheng Ting Hua (1848 - 1900) was from Cheng village, Hebei Province. He was an eyeglass maker by trade, He moved to
Beijing to open a spectacles shop hence he was commonly known as 'Spectacles Cheng'. He studied under various schools
of Chinese Boxing and was particularly skilled at Chinese Shuai Jiao (wrestling), for a Hobby he studied Chin Na (joint locks
and holds) Cheng
Ting Hua is the founder of the "Cheng" style Baguazhang. It is said that many famous fighters challenged Cheng but
as with Dong hai Chuan no one could defeat him.Cheng
had an impulsive nature. He was short but strong. In all his fights, he was known to use the 'Single Pounding Palm'
and was always successful in throwing his opponents in a single movement. He was also known for his fluid 'Dragon Claw'.
In July 1900 foreign troops entered Beijing looting,
raping, and other acts of barbarism. Master Cheng was so angry that he resolved to take vengeance on the foreign devils. At
the sight of a dozen or so foreign soldiers, he set forth to meet them with only two daggers. His pupils tried to stop him,
but couldn't. It was later found that Cheng single-handedly killed ten or more soldiers, but died of multiple bullet wounds
during the struggle.Cheng had two sons. The elder, Cheng Yulung (1875-1928) was also a master of Baguazhang,
and was responsible for spreading the art in Beijing and Tianjin.
The
Development of Ba Gua Zhang
in modern history
In September 1980, the first national Chinese
Martial Arts Club organized by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sport was founded in Dong Cheng district. A secondary group
member of the Chinese Wushu Association, the Ba Gua Zhang Research Institute was founded in 1982.
The foundation has over 900 members nationwide.
In
2002 the Institute was chosen as one of the "Outstanding Organizations" of the Beijing Wushu Association.
They have regularly
held annual baguazhang competitions since 2001.
My shifu Mr Xiang Zheng is the Vice secretary general of the Ba Gua Zhang Research
Institute and this year (Jan 2009) I have been invited to join as a member.
Ba Gua Zhang is now growing in popularity due to its health giving properties
and has spread into many foreign countries such as England, United States, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Norway, Finland, Switzerland,
Austria, Sweden, Japan, South Korea, Australia, etc.
Mr Liu Jing Ru is the number
one authoritive figure for Cheng Baguzhang
click hear to read more
