The Ba Kua (Eight Trigram) system is one of the most recently developed Chinese martial arts. In Qing Dynasty (19th century), Mr. Dong Hai Chuan (Fig. 1) was the first master to accept apprentices and taught this system in Beijing after he learned it from two taoists in Mt. Jou Hua (Nine Flower).

Fig. 1 Mr. Dong Hai Chuan

    The style is characterized by circle walking and the spiraling, coiling, drilling, twisting, and spinning movements. The typical strategy of Ba Kua style in self-defense is to avoid direct confrontation with the opponent, step around him/her, and attack him/her sideway, or from the 45 degree angle. Once the attack is initiated, one always changes the movements according to the opponent’s reaction.

    In CTMAA, we teach the empty-hand forms (Ba Kua Zhang) and weapons (including straight sword, broad sword, spear, staff, and deer horn knife, etc.) of both Yin Fu and Cheng Ting-Hua style Ba Kua systems.

    Yin Fu (Fig. 2) was Dong Hai Chuan's most senior Ba Kua Zhang student. He was with Dong the longest and had the most personal contact with Dong. Yin Fu did not teach many people his Ba Kua Zhang and of those he did teach, only a few received his complete system. Yin Fu was born in Hebei province, Ji County, Zhang Huai Village in 1841. Since he was tall and slim, people called him "thin" Yin. Before he studied Ba Kua Zhang, he was experienced in Shaolin Lohan Chuan and Tan Tui (springing legs) and this background was reflected naturally in his Ba Kua style. In addition to teaching Ba Kua Zhang in the palace and to private students, Yin also worked as a resident guard and bodyguard protecting the rich people and their homes in Beijing. During the Boxer Rebellion in 1900, Yin Fu was hired as the head bodyguard for the Empress Dowager and the Guang Xu emperor when they were taken out of the Forbidden City. Yin Fu was famous for his use of footwork in evasion and in applying short powerful kicks. His hand work, characterized by the so-called "ox-tongue" palm, was best applied in adhering, deflecting, and striking. His delivery of power (or fajing) was quick, springy, and explosive. His attacks were very fierce and in lightening speed; once an attack was initiated, there was no letting up.

Fig. 2 Mr. Yin Fu

Next>>