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Post by chefying on Nov 13, 2014 9:10:49 GMT
This section here introduced XingYi style. Apparently, XingYi 形意 (Lit. Form-Will)was quite popular in PingYao. This is a close up on one of the panels on XingYi. XingYi Style was introduced to PingYao by Wang Zheng Qing 王正清 during the reign of Emperor Dao Guang of the Qing Dynasty. Wang Zheng Qing learned Xingyi in Beijing from the famous pugilist Chang Yi 常义. Wang Zheng Qing passed on his knowledge to his son, Wang Shu Mao 王树茂. In an attempt to further his mastery of XingYi, Wang Shu Mao sent his nephew Guo Chong Shan 郭崇善 to the town of Tai Gu 太谷 to learn XingYi from Da Song 大宋, Er Song 二宋 and Li Guang Heng 李广恒. Another person who strove to improve his XingYi practice was Tian ZhongLan 田种兰 who, in the 1940's sought guidance from Song TieLin 宋铁麟. The special characteristics of XingYi is that it is strong but yet not stiff, it is yielding yet not weak. XingYi comprised altogether twelve movements, being Cleave 劈, Collapse 崩, Drill 钻, Cannon 炮, Transverse 横, Dragon 龙, Tiger 虎, Monkey 猴, Horse 马, Chicken 鸡 and Swallow 燕. The Xing (Form) in XingYi means to use the Unified Forces of Heaven and Earth to Create the Multitude of Beings - that is Form; Will is when the body's Yin and Yang and the Five Elements compose and oppose. In other words, "empty the mind, with no compulsion yet aim true, to think not and yet achieve,move along the path within one's capabilities and strike when timing is appropriate." From apparently formless and aimless and yet is able to be at one with the Great Void, its mysteries are unfathomable. (If you ask me, this sounds very much like what George Lucas's Yoda would say about the Jedi and the Force)
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Post by chefying on Nov 13, 2014 10:17:35 GMT
On the XingYi style display in the Martial Arts Museum, forumer yenchin was concerned that the origins of this style was rather lacking. "Interesting, the text doesn't bother to introduce the origins of Xingyi and directly starts from Pingyao, maybe because it is already clearer and a more common knowledge? Anyways it seems that the text in the museum is a bit misleading. The basic fists of Xingyi are the Five Element fists, being the Pi, Beng, Zuan, Pao, Heng, (劈崩鑽炮橫) and the Twelve Forms, Dragon, Tiger, Monkey, Horse, Chicken, Goshawk, Swallow, Snake, Hawk, Bear, and two types of animals that seem to be legendary or sometimes varying by different branches ( 龍、虎、猴、馬、雞、鷂、燕、蛇、鷹、熊、鼉、駘)." I dug around wikipedia, and it does state that the origins of XingYi is unclear, but "The earliest written records of it can be traced to the 18th century to Ma Xueli of Henan Province and Dai Long Bang of Shanxi Province. Legend, however, credits the creation of xingyiquan to the renowned Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) general Yue Fei." The article in wiki seem to suggest the presence of even the Turtle and the Crocodile - and Ostrich. I know the Ostrich's kicks can be lethal, and the snap of the crocodile's jaws can crush bones. But the turtle - this bit I cannot quite see. By the way, has anyone noticed this? The Wang ZhengQing 王正清 has been credited to bringing to PingYao both Chang Quan and Xing Yi. For both these types of martial arts, he went to Beijing to seek masters to teach him. He learned Chang Quan and Xing Yi from different masters. I wonder if his masters knew Wang ZhengQing sought guidance from two different masters - this is not often practiced. I also noticed that Wang ZhengQing is the father of Wang ShuMao 王树茂 who was one of the more influential Armed Escorts in PingYao of the Tong Xing Gong Armed Escort Agency. The blurb on Wang ShuMao is here.
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Post by chefying on Nov 16, 2014 4:31:34 GMT
These were the observations fellow forumer yenchin had on XingYi display and generally, XingYi Style.
"And as common with many of these histories, there is a big gap (Song -> Late Ming ) between the creator and the records that describe it.
If these histories are true, one might wonder what was going on in those lost years. Persecution? A secret society passing down martial arts but staying in low profile?"
It is mentioned in the manuals that the 鼉 is good in "floating and warding", based on this some branches say that it is actually a pond skater (水黽)
The 駘 (actually should be written "鳥台") is even wierder. The manuals say that it is good in erecting its tail.
In some texts on the internet it seems that he wasn't actually a disciple of Chang Yi, the master who taught him Xingyi. So maybe it was acceptable.
On the other hand, Sun Lu Tang learned as a disciple from three masters, so maybe the rule is not without exceptions.
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Post by chefying on Nov 16, 2014 4:36:23 GMT
These two persons were well known in PingYao for their mastery of XingYi. Guo Chong Shan 郭崇善 (1897 - 1957) was a native of the village of Nan Liang 南良 in PingYao.* He was the nephew of Wang ShuMao 王树茂. At the age of 15, Guo Chong Shan was sent to the town of Tai Gu 太谷 to learn XingYi from Master Song ShiRong 宋世荣 and Che Yong Hong 车永宏**.
While in the town of Tai Gu, he lived in the Cao 曹 Family Courtyard House for three years. While there he was supposedly the curator of antiques and repaired clocks and watches while in fact, he was the resident security guard. He also made contributions to the expansion of trade in the Province of ShanXi***.* Wang ShuMao's father was also from this village. Guo Chong Shan was the son of Wang ShuMa's sister. ** According to here Wang Shu Mao sent his nephew Guo Chong Shan 郭崇善 to the town of Tai Gu 太谷 to learn XingYi from Da Song 大宋, Er Song 二宋 and Li Guang Heng 李广恒. *** The abbreviation of the Province of ShanXi 山西 is Jin 晋. Tian Zhong Lan 田仲兰 (1914-1982), a very competitive native of PingYao City itself, was an exponent of XingYi style. He came from a family of martial arts practitioners, and from a young age, learned Chang Quan 长拳,Mian Zhang 绵掌, and Liu Tui 六腿 from his father.
Tian Zhong Lan subsequently learned XingYi style from Song TieLin 宋铁麟, and became a famous exponent of this style.
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Post by chefying on Nov 17, 2014 15:26:59 GMT
For those who are interested, this is the ode/code to the practice of XingYi This is all that I have on XingYi Style from the PingYao Martial Arts Museum.
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Post by chefying on Nov 17, 2014 15:31:05 GMT
This panel was on Tong Bi 通臂 (Connecting Arms) Style. I am not familiar with this school. A closeup on the blurb.... Tong Bi is an ancient martial arts form popular in the north (of China), with sub-groups such as Immortal Primate TongBi, Primate Ape Tong Bi, Five Elements, Six Harmony, Shaolin, PiGua (Lit. Slash/Hang) TongBi, etc.
The Immortal Primate Tong Bi Style was brought into PingYao in the 17th year of the reign of Emperor DaoGuang of the Qing Dynasty (1891) by four PingYao residents, being Li Huan 李环 from QiDong Village, Liang TianYuan 梁天元 from LiangPoDi Village, Lei Teng Long 雷腾龙 and Lei Teng Wen 雷腾蚊 from LinQuan Village.
When these four opened a grains shop in the town of JieXiu, they became disciples of Master Wang KunTian 王昆天, a native of Hebei Province. Upon their return to Pingyao, they disseminated this style.
In 1908, the two Lei brothers demonstrated their skill in Shanghai, and were well received, and were given the moniker "Northern Swordsmen".
The strength of the Immortal Primate Six Harmonies style originates from its primordial breath, connecting to the arms and settling in the arms - hence the name. This style is dexterous as a cat and lively like a primate.(The blurb goes on to describe the technicalities of this style).
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Post by chefying on Nov 19, 2014 8:02:56 GMT
On the Tong Bi - Connecting Arms Style, this was forumer yenchin's observation:-
"There is a branch called "猿仙通臂" (Could also be translated as "Immortal Primate") which has a form called "soft fist" (柔拳). Surprisingly, it looks A LOT like Chen Taiji. The fist is said to have originated around Northern Song.
And yet in the 1000+ years of history there is no known records of interaction or linking between these two styles.
Based on accounts from the lineage, this form isn't a recent thing and some martial art masters who interacted with masters from this style mention that the internal strength is still quite different from Chen Taiji.
Speaking of a secret history!"
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Post by chefying on Nov 19, 2014 8:04:28 GMT
Moving on from the Tong Bi 通臂 Connecting Arms Style, this is the BaWang Quan 霸王拳, or Overlord Style. The BaWang 霸王 (Overlord) Style belongs to the Chang Quan category (i.e. long reaches). It is said that this style was introduced to PingYao by Liu Fu Yuan 刘福元, who in learned it in Beijing some time during the reigns of the Qing Emperors Xian Feng and Tong Zhi.
This style had been in PingYao for six generations, in the fifth generation, under Liang Zhou Xiang 梁周祥 and under the sixth generation, Liang Zhong Bao 梁忠宝, the number of practitioners had increased dramatically.
When performed, this style looks very heroic, bold and determined; its tempo is fast and steps very specific. Because the nature of this performance has the characteristics of an overlord, it was given this name.
Its style is distinctive, its character is unique, has its own shadow boxing and weaponery sets. Together with a broad group of set practices, it forms a complete style by itself. Within the Province of Shanxi, the BaWang style is a class by itself, with its six sets of shadow boxing moves, six sets of sabre and six sets of spear practice.(Note that nothing had been said of its origins and its originator. Everything starts from when this style was introduced into PingYao.)
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Post by chefying on Nov 21, 2014 12:46:10 GMT
On Hong Quan 红拳, this is what the display has to say. Hong Quan belongs to the Chang Quan category, and is said to have been created by Zhao Kuang Ying 赵匡胤, the forebear of the founder of the Sung Dynasty. It is also said that Hong Quan had its roots in the GuanZhong (Plains of), Sha'annXi Province.
Hong Quan had been used by the rebels against the Qing Dynasty as a means of mass propaganda, focal point of the public and as the military arm of the rebels. As such, its popularity is very wide.
Some people had written Hong Quan 红拳 as Hong Quan 洪拳, and even referred to as the 洪拳 of the North, differentiating it from the fighting style of the South.
The basics of Hong Quan - Red Fist - is its mastery of the 10 "basins".(I am not familiar with this school of martial arts, and I shall refrain from further translations. The rest of this panel explains its fighting and shadow boxing technical points.) As for the 10 basins, I believe this refers to the sections of the body. For example, in Yong Chun 永春 (Wing Chun), there is much emphasis on the protection and attack of the Upper, Middle and Lower basins. These three basins refer to the body that had been divided into three parts, the head, the torso and the legs. Finally, looking at the names of the sets of shadow boxing practice, etc. I believe this Hong Quan has nothing to do with the Southern styles. I believe the two had been drawn together because both styles sound the same.
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Post by chefying on Nov 21, 2014 12:48:26 GMT
On other styles of martial arts... Other styles of martial arts/shadow boxing still practiced in PingYao include
Six Harmony Fist, Arhat Fist, Praying Mantis style, Southern Style, Cannon Fist, Soft Fist Immortal Fist, Zen Fist, Plum Blossom Fist, Tibetan Fist, etc.(I presented the names in this manner so that it is easier to read and digest.) Other forms rarely seen even in the Country Wide Pugilist Association include these sets:
Octuplicate Fist, Hextuplicate Hook, Twelve Linked Hammer, Precious Sword Advancing Spear Yang Family 24 Postures, Twelve Set Tibetan Sabre Duodecuplicate Linked Hands, Horse Face, Arhat Soft Fist, Eight Harmony Whip, etc.
Other types of martial arts/shadow boxing popular in the rest of China also has a representation in PingYao.
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Post by chefying on Nov 21, 2014 12:54:06 GMT
History of martial arts in China starting from Qin Dynasty, through Han dynasty and then The Three Kingdoms period. Qin Dynasty (BCE 221 - BCE 206)During the Qing Dynasty, weapons were requisitioned (by the Emperor Qin Shih Huang Di) and smelted into (bronze?) tripods, etc. (This was to reduce the possibility of rebellion, I understand.) Jiao Di 角抵 was popularised as some martial sport. (It was some sort of wrestling.) In BCE209, the second emperor of Qin used Jiao Di as entertainment. Shou bo 手搏(some sort of fighting - I suppose akin to today's mixed martial arts) became a competitive event. Han Dynasty (BCE 206 - CE 220)CE108, Jiao Di competition was held in the capital. People from the surroundings up to 300 km away came to watch. (Various books quoted here about fighting skills, of which sword play registered 38 mentions, etc.) This was the first time shou bo was used with reference to military personnel. Three Kingdoms (CE 220 - CE 265)In this period was the first time the words WuYi 武艺 (martial arts) was recorded being used. In the book "History of the Three Kingdoms" were recorded the words 武艺气力过人. "Deng Zhan 邓展 was good in barehanded fighting skills and sabre and blade; (he) can, bare-handed, encounter "sharpened edges" (sharpened weapons - swords and sabres, etc.) Wei Emperor CaoPi 曹丕 and Deng Zhan used sugar-cane as staff, and exchanged strokes."
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Post by chefying on Nov 23, 2014 14:55:12 GMT
History of martial arts in China during the Jin, North and South Dynasty, Sui and Tang period. I have broken them down to three sections so that it is more manageable. First part of three:- Jin Dynasty (C.E. 317 - C.E. 420)This was the first time when two warriors would grapple each others' waistband in competition, a form of Chinese wrestling. The last emperor of this dynasty has women "wrestlers" in the imperial court as a form of entertainment. A famous archer in this dynasty shot an arrow through a hole and penetrated a metal sheet to the depth of one inch, earning the sobriquet "Divine Archer". In this dynasty was recorded certain martial artists who demonstrated mastery of both internal and external styles, e.g. one who was able to smash stone tablets, another who could leap over walls, one who managed to jump 6~7 feet* high, yet another who was able to cover 100 li (miles) in a day and also was able to leap 3 zhang (yards). In the Western Regions (now Xinjiang), the Jiao Di 角抵 was popular and was called Jiao Li 校力. A man by the name of 祖逖 Zu Ti 闻鸡起舞** - commenced his swordplay practice every morning when the cockerel started to crow (consistent and diligent practice) and became a famous general. * I doubt if the Chinese feet in the Jin Dynasty is the same as our present day Imperial feet (approx 1/3 of a meter) ** Literally, "hear crowing start dance"
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Post by chefying on Nov 23, 2014 14:58:40 GMT
Second of three parts:- North-South Dynasty (C.E. 420 - C.E. 589)First time the term "wushu" 武术 was used, recorded in a poem. C.E. 495 - Shaolin Temple 少林寺 was established in DengFeng 登封 District, Henan 河南 Province. C.E. 550 - the earliest secret manual for spear manipulation was recorded by imperial decree. During the prevailing emperor's reign, martial artist Wang Jingje 王敬则 was good at wrestling. The Northern Dynasty gathered many men and held a martial arts competition, disciplines which included archery and bow drawing. Sui Dynasty (C.E. 581 - C.E. 618)In C.E. 610, it was established that a major competition would be held at Rui Men Street, 瑞门街 (in present day Xi'an). It was open the all people, and were held on the 15th day of the first lunar month of the year, and on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. In this dynasty, a rule was establish regarding the hierarchy of swords used; Jade (decorated?) swords and gold (decorated?) sword for the emperor, silver (decorated?) swords for the ministers, etc.
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Post by chefying on Nov 23, 2014 15:04:40 GMT
Third of three parts:- Tang Dynasty C.E. 618 - 907C.E. 618 - the Shaolin monks helped Li ShiMin 李世民 pacify the Wang Shi Chong 王世充 rebellion. During the reign of Emperor Tai Zong, Yuchi Jingde 尉迟敬德 was good at "disarming a lance with bare hands". Thrice he engaged Yuan Ji 元吉 and managed to disarm Yuan Ji of his lance. C.E. 643, the Crown Prince and Yuan Chang 元昌, each lead one company (of soldiers), plied on armour and with bamboo lance, engaged mock battle with much shouting as a form of entertainment. C.E. 657 Emperor Tai Zong drew together civilian martial artists from all over the empire. C.E. 702, the reigning emperor decreed the propagated the teaching of martial arts. C.E. 703, the reigning emperor (once again) decreed the propagated the teaching of martial arts. During this time, the emperor encouraged military personnel to learn and practice marital arts with presents and various titles. C.E. 767 the famous poet, DuFu 杜甫 wrote a poem titled "Watching Madam GongSun Perform Sword Dance" 观公孙大娘舞剑器行. Circa C.E. 805, circulated a book called "Legend of the Swordsman" 剑侠转.
Five Generations and Ten States C.E. 907- 960C.E. 923, (Emperor?) Zhuang Zong 庄宗 conferred upon the famous wrestler Li CunXian 李存贤 the title Great General 大将军. During this period was recorded many well known wrestlers and fighters (six names presented), etc.
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Post by chefying on Nov 26, 2014 5:18:52 GMT
After the Tangs came the Sung Dynasty,and the Mongolian's Yuan Dynasty.
Sung Dynasty C.E. 960-1127 (South Sung C.E. 1127-1279)A book titled "Study of Strength in Wresting" 角力记 - I think it has something to do with wrestling moves, holds and breaking holds. In this dynasty, a book called "Armour Protection Methods" (?) 保甲法 was written, and the public was encouraged to practice fighting skills. Inside the Military Success Temple 武成庙 there existed an alcove designated as "Hall of Military Study" 武学堂. In year 1144, a book called "Record of Overall Military Needs" (?) 武经总要. In this time, martial artist Li QuanShan 李全擅 was famous for his long spear technique and was known as Li TieQiang 李铁枪. His wife, Madam Yang, was well know for her skill in the style "Pear Blossom Spear" 梨花枪 and was nicknamed "The 24 years of Undefeated Pear Blossom Spear"* All around the empire arose places called "Archery Centre", "Brocade Symbol Centre", "Minor Hero Society" etc. for people to demonstrate and practice marital arts. Recorded for the first time in this period were the emergence of travelling martial arts "peddlers"/"buskers" in the many martial arts practice arena, and they demonstrated wrestling skills, sparring, shadow boxing and weapons mastery skills. During the Northern Sung dynasty, annually on the 10th day of the 10th month of the lunar calendar was the Heavenly Peace Festival 天宁节 at the Imperial Feast, there would be martial arts demonstrations by the Palace Guards and the Imperial Guards. First recorded influence of Japanese swordfighting in Mainland China. In the military arena, missives delivery were by broadsword bearing messengers. (I think this is what it means.) The term "18 types of weapons" was first coined. In the Southern Sung Dynasty, 120 members were chosen from the Imperial Guards to form a group specially meant for performing martial arts (for the Emperor's pleasure, I am sure) during festive days. *I think Jin Yong might have taken inspiration from here when he crafted the character Yang Tiexin 杨铁心, the father of Yang Kang, in the book Legend of the Condor Heroes.
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