Liuhequan - Six Harmonies Boxing

   HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT

LEGENDARY ORIGINS OF LIUHEQUAN

There are many legends to the origin of Liuhequan (Six Harmonies Boxing), some suggest that it was a faction of the Shaolin school or Liuhe branch, Shaolin Weituomen, Shaolin Yupai. This is was mainly propagated by Wan Laisheng, a famous Liuheziranmen practioner. Another legend is that it original from ancient moslem methods where the Liuhe are actual references to the Huizu headwear. Thirdly, it is said that Yuefei, had developed the essentials of the style Liuhequan and Liuheqiang (Spear) in the Song dynasty which he taught senior members of his army. This is mainly as a result of the famous text Liuhequanxu (Preface to Liuhequan) which is a part of the Xinyi tradition.

What is a key irrespective of legend is that the primary concept of six coordinations/harmonies that is essential to the style is common and critical element in many martial arts. In its simplest concept this refers to The Nei Wai San He (Internal 3 and External 3 Coordinates), 3 Internal are Xin, Yi and Qi and the 3 External are Hands/Legs, Elbows/Knees and Shoulder/Hip. So Xin and Yi coordinate, Yi & Qi Coordinate, Qi and Li Coordinate. Externally Hands and Legs coordinate, Elbows and Knees Coordinate and Shoulders coordinate with Hips. The Internal and External Combine into one (Nei Wai He Yi), this then is Liuhe.

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF LIUHEQUAN

Liuhequan is considered an ancient martial art, the earliest records however date to the Ming dynasty. A famous warrior Zhang Ming passed through Qingzhen Balizhuang in Botou village, Hebei Province, when he collapsed as he was injured and had been ill. A hui zu (Chinese Moslem) named Cao Zhenpeng took the injured warrior into his home and gave him medical attention. As a result Zhang Ming was indebted and passed his martial arts skills to Cao Zhenpeng. Master Zhang would watch how diligent and ardiously every morning Cao Zhengpeng practised and was impressed by his dedication and development that he also passed on all his boxing and martial skills, including boxing manuals to him. The art was Liuhequan.

Cao Zhenpeng only taught his son Cao Sheng who in turn passed the art to Shi Jinke, Shi Changchun and Zhang Maolong. Since the great master Zhang Ming made a point of advising Cao Zhenpeng not to transmit the art easily, It is only in the fourth generation that the art commenced being taught to others. Shi Jinke taught around 18-20 disciples, who all became well known in the martial world. These include “Heixunfengshenliqianjinwang” (Black tornado Spirited, Strength of 1000 Catties King) Shi Jinsheng. Others included Shi Jinhe, Shi Qingzhen, Tian Kechun and Li Guanming.

Since Liuhequan emphasises the three methods of strike, lock and throw, many Liuhe masters became well known for their Shuajiao (Chinese Takedowns and Wrestling) skills and have instrumental in the development of Shuaijiao in Northern China.

VARIOUS BRANCHES OF LIUHEQUAN

The original place of concentration and practice is in Botou City, Hebei Province south of Cang County. Mainly inherited by the large Chinese moslem community, it used to be taught with the Huizu Mosque and amongst villagers. Through generations the art has been improved on and developed more systemically. In Botou there are dozens of practitioners and Botou is considered the most encompassing of the branches. This version of Liuhequan is very complete and contains large content. Since Shi Jinke was so important in the propagation of the art often Botou Liuhequan is referred to as Shi Family Liuhequan.

Cang County has been famous throughout history for its legendary martial skills, in ancient times, various rebels/military commanders/heroes were exiled by the government to here. The result is that abundant methods of martial practice exist and the local practitioners such as those of Liuhequan became lethal masters. Since Cang county is just north of Botou (in fact Botou is a county under Cangzhou jurisdiction), the Liuhequan methods were popular early on. There were three main lineages of practice: Li family, Tian family and Wu Family.

Many years ago a small Chinese Moslem community from Cangzhou region re-settled in the Baoding district and brought many of their skills and cultural features with them. They built a Mosque and the practice of Liuhequan was popularized. Many of the masters of Liuhequan became renowned for their combat skills, especially in those of Shuaijiao (Throwing and Wrestling) so much so that the Baoding district became well known for the Shuaojiao skills of its martial arts masters.

A well known master Liu Dekuan, was originally from Cangzhou. studied Liuhequan with Tian Chunkui and Li Fenggang (Li Guangming's nephew). Later he taught various disciples taught in Beijing including Zhao Jinzhou, Xu Wansheng (1878-1945), Wu Junshan and Li Yongzhu. Practitioners evolved Liu’s teachings to formulate the Beijing school of Liuhequan.

Since Master Wan Lai Sheng was a well known master of Ziranmen his descendants mostly from Fujian, are often recognized majorily for their Ziranmen. Ziranmen Liuhequan being a derivative of Beijing Liuhequan implies that it is also part of the modified Liuhequan as developed by Master Liu Dekuan. Master Wan Laisheng, became famous many years ago in 1928, through his activities and actions associated with the Central Guoshu Institute of Nanjing, thereafter he was sent to South China (Fuzhou, Fujian Province) to assist in the teaching and development of martial arts.

Another well known master of Liuhequan was the great Tong Zhongyi, originally from Cangzhou, Hebei province, who defeated Sichuan Master Wu Shaoji at the Nanjing All China Guoshu meet. He later became well known and taught in Shanghai. Tong Zhongyi had studied with his father, a disciple of Li Guangming. Regarded as Shanghai Liuhequan, the style has become popular with many practitioners including Master Tong's daughter Tong Peiyun, as well as those from his school in Shanghai.

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