LEGEND
In a popular novel "Wan Nian Qing" 《万年青》 " which then became folklore and adapted for stories in Kung Fu films is one where there are five elders of the south and Bai Mei is supposed to be one of them. For a further introduction to this, kindly visit the Hong Quan history section here. There are some stories passed down by Bai Mei Quan practitioners that Bai Mei was a real person, this is difficult to validate.
HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT
Huiyang
Lin Jia Quan (c. Lam Ga Kuen)
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Lin He
(1831-1908) |
Lin He, also known as Lin Ruiqie, was from Liang Hu Town, in the Huizhou prefecture of Guangdong. Since a young he was fond of martial arts and began local village boxing from the age of 10. When he was 17 years of age, he met a master known as Huang Lianqiao (also known as Monk Hai Feng), who came from the Haifeng, Lufeng regions on the north east of Guangdong province (thus reference to Hai Feng). Lin He studied with Master Huang for over 10 years and became a true master. The martial arts of Hai Feng are likely to have been Luo Shan Boxing or Hu Shi Boxing (also known as Shi Pan village boxing) which are popular in his areas of origin. Others also believe that Master Huang had studied martial arts from Fujian and possibly a member of the Shaolin Yuan or Hong Men activities.
In 1862 he returned to Liang Hu town and opened a school teaching martial arts the "Lin Jia Wu Guan" (Lin Family Matial Arts School). About three years later whilst he was performing in Hai Feng, a passing monk commented how the skills are the same and enquired as to his master. The monk was the elder martial brother of Master Huang , as a result he stayed in Luo Fu Shan for 3 years studying advanced methods with Master Guang Jin and improved greatly. After his training, he returned to Liang Hu Town he continued teaching and was known for his Wu De (Martial Virtue). The focus of the school was 1) Strengthen the body, 2) Cure illness and 3) Protect Life. The school was referred to as Lin Family Martial Arts School and had many well known students such as Lin Shurong, Lin Canguang, Lin Huaxian, Lin Ailou, Qin Chengjiu, Lin Junpu, Lin Qingyuan (Lin He's younger brother), Zhang Liquan and Lin Yaogui (Lin Qingyuan's son, i.e. Lin He's nephew).
Huizhou
Li Jia Quan (c. Lee Ga Kuen)
Li Jia Quan is one of the 5 famous boxing styles of Guangdong (along with Hong, Liu, Cai and Mo). It's founder was Master Li Yi (1747-1828) from the Jiaohuodi Village in Huizhou City. He started learning with his father Li Jiu since the age of 9 and also followed his father in his activities. Li Jiu was a member of the Tian Di Hui and one day when Li Yi and his father was passing by Loufushan they met a brother from the society, Wang Long, who was a formidable boxing exponent. Li Yi became the apprentice of Wang Long studying the southern boxing. However a few years later, both Wang Long and Li Jiu were killed in some of the rebellious uprisings, Li Yi himself was badly injured and hid in a cart that was travelling back home to Jiaohuodi village. On the road he encountered a Master named Chen Gouxi, who was from the Central plains of China who mended to his wounds. He later discovered that Chen Gouxi was also a martial arts master and then took tutelage from the master. Li Yi followed Chen Gouxi in his travels to Jiangxi, where he met his old friend and his daughter. Li Yi and the girl later married. Chen Gouxi already advanced in age wanted to return to his old home and did so thereafter leaving Li Yi to return to his Jiaohuodi village. Li Yi through many encounters discovered that his boxing had improved greatly as a result of the teachings of his masters, he then became the founder of Li Jia Quan in Huizhou. Li Yi taught his son Li Long (1794-1884) who became the inheritor of Li Jia Quan, the third generation students of Li Long included Li Guohui (1831-1921), Li Guobiao (1841-1924) and Li Guoshan (1854-1929). The boxing of Li Jia Quan includes sets such as Ba Gua Quan (8 Trigrams), San Men Quan (3 Doors), Shi Zun (Respecting Shi), Xiao Shi Zi (Small Cross) and Da Shi Zi (Large Cross) In terms of weapons the style emphasises the staff with sets such as Dan Tou (Single End Staff), Shuang Tou Gun (Double End Staff), Da Zhen Gun (Great Troops Staff), (Zhong Lan gun (Centre Blocking Staff) and Chang Long Gun (Long Dragon Staff).
Bai Mei Quan (c. Bak Mei Kuen)
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Zhang Liquan
(1880-1996) |
Zhang Liquan (c. Cheung Lai Chuen) 1880-1966 was born in Huiyang county, Huizhou prefecture. His father passed away when he was only an infant and thus was raised by his mother. His introduction to chinese martial arts started when he was a young boy when he first met the TCM doctor Lin Shi (c. Lam Sek) who had some elementary knowledge of martial arts (Li Jia Quan). He had injured his arm from a fall and his mother sent him for treatment, this was how they met and when Zhang Liquan was seven he trained with the doctor supposedly learning Shi Zi Quan (Cross Fist). At the age of 13, on recommendation by Lin Shi, Zhong Liquan started learning Li Jiaquan at the local school (Lijiaquan is one of the representative schools of Huizhou) with Li Meng, a third generation master of Li Jia Quan. Zhang Liquan was close friends with Lin Yaogui and later Zhang Liqun also joined Master Lin He's Lin Family Martial Arts school where he further advanced his skills learning Lin Jia Quan (c. Lam Ga Kuen).
In the 1920's Zhang Liquan and Lin Yaogui travelled together to Guangzhou to seek opportunities there. In 1925 a challenge from a Russian boxer, saw Lin Yaogui gain fame in Guangzhou. Together Zhang Liquan, Lin Yaogui and a Liu Shui (master of Zhu Jia Jiao) were known as the "Dong Jiang San Hu" (Three Tigers from East River), being considered the best fighters of their time.
Whilst Guangzhou Zhang Liquan is said to have an incident in a teahouse with a young monk from the Guangxiao Temple, after an exchange of hands, Zhang Liqu who was easily countered by the monk enquired into the origin of this young monks martial arts. After discovering that the monk's teacher resided in the Guangxiao Temple, Guangzhou after sustained effort he managed to become a disciple of the Buddhist Monk Zhu Fa Yun (c. Juk Fa Wan). After 3 years of development, Zhang Liquan skills improved tremendously.
Between 1928 and 1935, Zhang Liquan was very active in the martial arts community of Guangzhou and Guangdong proper. He had fought many challengers and gained a legendary reputation, including nicknames like Champion of 7 Provinces, Dong Jiang Meng Hu (The Fierce Tiger from East River) and more. He was invited to teach at many schools such as the Guangzhou Guoshu She (Guangzhou Martial Arts Society), Datonghui Wuguan (Datong Association Martial Arts Society), the Guangzhou Police Training Institute, Yan Tang Military Academy and the Huangpu Military Academy. Zhang Liquan had many students and disciples throughout his lifetime all at different stages of his own development and hence whilst there are some slight differences in content and approach, the principles and essence remain the same, Bai Mei Quan. In 1949, Zhang Liquan moved to Hong Kong with his family including sons Zhang Bingsen, Zhang Bingfa and Zhang Binglin (his fourth son Zhang Bingyang stayed in mainland china with his family).
On the basis of all his studies with Masters, all his experiences in combat and his deep reflection, Zhang Liquan organized and Formulated all his teachings into establishing Bai Mei Qan (White Eyebrow Boxing).
