Nanjing Guoshu Institute- Representative introductory boxing methods by Michael Sidaway
The Central Guoshu Institute (南京中央国术馆) was established by Zhang Zhijiang on 15th March, 1927 supported by the republican government. It commenced activities in 1928 at it's premises in the Hanjia Xiang area of Nanjing. It's instigators included Cai Yuanpei, Kong Xiangxi, Yu Youren, Niu Yongjian, Zhang Zhijiang and Zhang Shusheng. General Feng Yuxiang was the head governer of the supervisory board, whilst Zhang Zhijiang was Principal supported by many well known masters at the time were a part of the institute including Li Jinglin (Wudang Swordsman, Vice Principal), Ma Yingtu and Liu Yinhui.
The Institute had three key Departments: Teaching,
Materials and General Affairs. The first head of the Teacing department and responsible in charge of teacher training was Master Wang Ziping (Cha, Hua and Liuhequan) , later others held the post such as Zhu Guofu (Xingyi Quan), Wu Junshan (Baguazhang), Wu Yihui (Liuhe Bafa) and Yang Songshan. The Materials department which was responsible for collecting, documenting and organizing martial arts practices was first head by Master Jiang Rongqiao (Yanqing Quan, Baguazhang, Xingyi Quan), later others such as Huang Bonian (Xingyi Quan) and Jin Yiming held the post. Mr. Li Zimao was the first head of the general affairs which took care of associated matters like finance, administration and supply management.
Further to the key departments, there were many masters involved in teaching including Zhu Guolu (Chang Quan), Sun Lutang (Xing, Taiji, Bagua), Yang Chengfu (Taiji), Yang Fawu (Shuai Jiao), Gong Runtian (Taiji), Chen Zirong (Taiji), Ma Yingtu (Pigua, Baji), Li Yushan (Yanqing Quan), Chang Dongsheng (Shuaijiao), Guo Changsheng (Pigua, Miaodao) and Sun Yunming. The institute held two National examinations (Oct, 1928 and Oct, 1933). which tested technique (routunes), Combat (including empty hand and with weaponry) and Theory (including morality and ethics). The ranks for those successfully passed were Guoshi (National Warrior), Xia Shi (Knight Warrior) and Wu Shi (Military Warrior). .
The institute had divided itself into two key factions, Wudang (headed by Gao Zhendong) and Shaolin (Headed by Wang Ziping). This was a significant mis-leading organization since most of the styles had little to do with those two classifications. It is also lead to disagreements amongst the members. Essentially the Wudang faction was responsible for Taiji, Xingyi and Baguazhang related arts whilst the Shaolin included mostly non-shaolin arts such as Bajiquan,Piguazhang and Cha Quan. Resultant from this both Li Jinglin and Wang Ziping resigned from their posts. Unfortunately, much of the influence of the institute led to many inaccuracies regarding internal vs external and shaolin or wudang as major schools when in fact these were completely misleading, but are held by many as fact even until today unfortunately. A restructuring was undertaken and all heads reported to a single vice dean, Zhang Xiangwu.
After the oubtreak of the Sino-Japanese war in 1937, the Institute left Nanjing to Changsha (Hunan province), Guilin, Kunming and Chongqing in 1940. These continuous shift, depletion of funds from the trouble government and lack of students after moving around lead to the gradual closure of the institute which formally occured in 1948. Throughout its life, there were only a few hundred students and given the lack of time to establish a reasonable teaching program, the quality of many were determined by their previous studies and fortunate studies with some of the seniors within the Guoshu Institute.
Some of those which graduated include: Wu Jianping, Zhang Wenguang (who later became one of the key guiding fathers of Modern Sports Wushu), He Fusheng (Vice Chairman of Yunnan Wushu Association), Li Xisi, Kang Shaoyuan, Wen Jingming. Many also headed abroad suych as Fu Shuyun and Han Qintang (Taiwan), Chen Yuhe (Singapore), Gong Bangjie (Malaysia), Liu Jingxing (Thailand), Zhang Jun (Vietnam), Yan Tanghua and Huang Jifu (UK), Zhang Zhenhai (US) and many others.
Fundamental Routines
Nanjing Guoshu Institute
Tantui
(originates from Cha Quan)
Nanjing Guoshu Institute
Lian Bu Quan
(Developed in 1928 Nanjing Guoshu Institute)
Nanjing Guoshu Institute
Gong Li Quan (From Jingwu Association)
Nanjing Guoshu Institute
Liu He Quan
(Developed in 1928 Nanjing Guoshu Institute)
Taiwan - Shaolin Long Fist
Further to the basic sets included above, Master Han Qintang brought his methods (from previous studies) combined with that of the Nanjing Guoshu Academy to Taiwan. This was later referred to as 'Shaolin Long Fist' which is has been made well known as a result of books/writings from Dr Yang Jwingming. The Shaolin in the term is likely from the naming conventions applied at the Guoshu Academy (all external styles were called Shaolin - even though none of the practitioners practiced the style. Also note, likewise Wudang was the term applied to Xingyi, Taiji and Bagua - which also are not directly related to Wudang). Long fist is resultant from one of the maternal styles that Master Han had studied in his youth - Taizu Chang Quan (Great Ancestor's Long Fist) which is popularly found in Shandong province, and of teachers from the Insitute (includes styles such as Yanqing Quan and Cha Quan). .
TW Shaolin Long Fist
Yi Lu Mai Fu
(From Cha Quan)
TW Shaolin Long Fist
Er Lu Mai Fu
(later development)
TW Shaolin Long Fist
Shi Zi Tang
(originates from Taizu Quan)
TW Shaolin Long Fist
Si Lu Cha Quan
(Originates from Cha Quan)
TW Shaolin Long Fist
San Lu Pao Quan (Originates from Cha Quan)
TW Shaolin Long Fist
Taizu Changquan
(Originates from Taizu Quan)
TW Shaolin Long Fist
Xiao Hu Yan (Originates from Yanqing Quan, then to Tanglang (Mantis) onto Long Fist)
TW Shaolin Long Fist
Si Lu Beng Da
(Originates from Yanqing Quan, then to Tanglang (Mantis) onto Long Fist)
