Dishu Quan

  ORIGINS AND HISTORY OF FUJIAN DOG BOXING

Dishuquan which is also known as Dishuquanfa or Gouquan is a martial synonymous with Fujian province yet unique amongst the other styles practiced in the province by incorporating many kicks and ground fighting methods. Dishuquan is said to have been created or practiced as early as the Ming Dynasty.

It is said in legend that in the south of Fujian (Quanzhou area), near the Southern Dongchan Temple (said to have been related to the Shaolin Temple) there was a nunnery known as Bailian Temple. The nuns having often come from a non monastic life had the remnants of bound feet and as a result practised a martial art which required specialised leg sweeps and on the ground combat methods. After the raiding, destruction of the temples by the imperial forces a nun by the name of Siyue had left Bailian Temple and traveled to the northern areas of the province. It is said that he had fallen ill whilst in the Yongfu (nowadays known as Yongtai) region near Fuzhou, it was there that she was assisted by the Chen Family who took care of her until recovery. As she was indebted to the Chen Family she remained and taught their son, Chen Biao Dishuquan (Dog Boxing). It remained within the Chen Family of Yongfu for generations and was not taught to outsiders.

Another Legend suggests that the famous Fang Shiyu was a master of Dishuquan and had passed his skills to monks in the Zhuyuansi Temple (nowadays known as Guanyuan Temple), this was passed through various generations until a monk named Hui Kai taught the style to Zheng Yishan (from Nantai, Laoyaozhou Zhuang).

DEVELOPMENT AND LINEAGES

Today, there are 3 main lineages of Dishuquan/Gouquan, with the most popular being that of the Chen Yijiu lineages in Fuzhou.

One of the Chen Family inheritors was Chen Ayin, who had studied the art with his grandmother. It is said that after a dispute he had killed a bandit and therefore fled from authorities in Fuzhou to reside in Singapore where he lived in the nine chen families district. In Singapore he taught few students including Chen Zhenzai, Chen Yijiu and Chen Yuanhu. The most famous of which became Chen Yijiu.

Chen Yijiu (1902-1997) was exponent of various martial arts which he had studied in his youth. He was originally from Fuzhou and moved to Singapore in 1921. The story was that one day when he was passing outside Chen Ayin's store there was some brawls and disputes, suddenly, Chen Ayin appeared in the seen and in a matter of seconds defeated all the gangstets. Chen Yijiu being extremely impressed then sort out the great master Chen Ayin, so as to learn the Dishuquan.

In 1929, a Russian fighter came to Singapore and challenged the local masters after having defeated experts from over 11 countries. Master Chen Yijiu watched as many fellow martial artists were defeated by the big Russian. As he could no longer stand it, he challenged the Russian and as the duel commenced large powerful blows aimed at Chen Yijiu's upper body met without target and suddenly, Chen Yijiu fell to the ground and applied some shin kicks and a series of lower body attacks. A large 'crack' was heard followed by a scream as the Russian champion fell broken legged to the ground. Since then Chen Yijiu became famous and was nicknamed 'Iron Leg Chen' throughout South East Asia.

In 1932, Chen Yijiu returned to his hometown in Fuzhou where he taught many disciples throughout his long life and passed on the skills of Dishuquan.

Zheng Yishan taught very few students and the key proponent of this style was the medicine trader Zhuang Zishen.

Chen Zhenzai and Chen Yuanhu left Singapore and passed the art to only a few.

Chen Peigun had taught Dishuquanfa in the Fuzhou areas.

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