LEGENDARY ORIGINS OF TONG BEI QUAN
'Tong bei' means Through the Back, which is a depiction of the power which is generation by passing through the back and to the extensions. It is often mentioned in legend that Tongbeiquan dates back to over 2,000 years ago during the Zhan Guo (Fighting Kingdoms period). According to a legend a very capable master named Yuan Gong fought with a master of the Mojiao (Mysterious Sect) and lost. As a result he lived in seclusion in nearby forests and bushlands. It is said that through the years he developed long white hair and beard and when people saw him that referred to him as Baiyuan Laoren "White Ape Old Man". Additonal legends suggest that a Daoist named Chen Tuan developed the style during the Song Dynasty. References to a Tong Bei Quan Master Han Tong during the Song Dynasty are also found in other historical novels/records.
DEVELOPMENT OF QI FAMILY TONG BEI QUAN
Although the legendary origins of Tongbeiquan date to ancient times, the current teachings of Tongbeiquan commenced with the Qi family. The Qi family originating from elsewhere are said to have resided in Gu An county, Hebei province during the time of Emperor Daoguang (1821-1850: Qing dynasty), two brothers Qi Laowei and Qi Laoqing both loved martial arts and as a result studied with many local masters. They practised Liuhequan and Liuheqiang (Spear). It is said that they then travelled around learning the best spear methods from various masters.
Qi Family Spear
When Qi Laowei returned, he taught the methods (Liuhe boxing and Liuhe Spear) to his young son Qi Xin. This spear method combined Liuhe Spear with Luo Family’s Duanmen Spear and Yang’s Family’s Liehua Spear. When Qi Xin practiced his spear he did not attach the Spearhead and just used the long staff (Gan). As a result the method was named “Qi Family 12 Gan”. It contained 12 Cao Fa (Strategic Methods), 10 Duan Fa (Attack Breaking Methods) and 36 San Dian (36 Combat principles). This became a well guarded secret and would never be passed on unless disciples were inner door disciples.
Qi Family Tongbeiquan
Although not entirely clear it is said that Qi Xin had studied Tongbeiquan with Master Lv as well as methods with other masters including Mingtangquan Pengganmen” Qi Xin also had advanced studies with many masters. Qi Xin is said to have resided at the Tong Xin Inn (also known as Jia Family Inn) which was owned by Jia Xing. Qi Xin then became well acquainted with Jia Xing who was also martial arts enthusiast. They both shared the love for the martial arts and shared tremendously in their skills. On an occasion an incident arose where Qi Xin had to ward off over 25 assailants. Using his majestic spear techniques he became a reputed master and the general public commenced calling him ‘Gan Zi Qi’. Jia xing was both a friend and a student. So significant was the achievement that when he returned to his village nearby, he became a teacher of the martial arts. Jia Xing also taught the skills. This became the commencement of the first time that Tongbeiquan was to be taught in public.
Once he commenced accepting disciples his branch was referred to as “Qi Jia Men” or Qi Family Division. Qi Xin was recognised as the founder of this school of martial arts and the time the most important weapon was Qijia Da Qiang (Qi Family Spear) and the empty hands method was referred to as “Mingtangquan Pengganmen”, the movements were Da Pi Da Tiao (Great Crushing hammers and rising arms), Da Kai Da He (Great Openings Great Combinations).
Qi Taichang, the son of Qi Xin and become a most important personage in the development of Tongbeiquan. In his youth he studied under the guidance of his father and during his adolescence he was sent by his father for further studies with a Master Hong (according to some records this meant an exchange of skills with his martial uncle Master Shi Hongsheng, founder of Shi Style Tongbeiquan). Qi Taichang together with his father combined all his family’ martial arts Liuhequan, Qimen Qiang, Mingtang Pengqieshoufa and Xinji Tongbeiquan into one. This became the true authentic transmission of Qi Family Tongbeiquan.
Qi Family Tongbeiquan practised Huofa (Flexible, pliable moving joints) as the basic preliminaries and the 108 CaoFa (108 Strategic Methods/Techniques) as the essential core. Further developments were undertaken by consultation with his father Qi Xin and a Master Ma from Henan province, who imparted his skills of Yingshou and Tixibu to Qi Taichang. The Young Master Qi added the essence and advancement of skills into the 108 Caofa.
Qi Family Broadsword
In Gu'an County, there was a famous master nicknamed ‘Single Broadsword Zhao Sheng”. His broadsword skills were renowned as being the best at the time in the area. The result was that Qi Taichang and Zhao Sheng mutually exchanged (Zhao’s Broadsword for Qi’s Spear methods). The Broadsword skills that Qi Taichang studied included 8 types of footwork and 13 specific points regarding the broadsword. Consisting of 36 techniques, this became known as”8 Steps 13 Broadsword” or Babu Shisan Dao. From here, Qi Family Tongbeiquan consisted of three components: Spear, Broadsword and Hands. The next generations then laid the foundation for the incomparable entry of Qi Style Tongbeiquan into the Chinese Martial arts world.
Lao Qi Pai - The original methods of Tong Bei Quan are large, fast and powerful with an intention of pure combat effectiveness. This is that passed by Qi Xin. This very combat and practically orientated Tongbeiquan is seldom experienced nowadays as most descendants were of the evolutions of Shao Qi Pai.
Shao Qi Pai - After his studies with other masters, Qi Taichang added some changes to the original skills making them more balanced between hard and soft (or internal), as well as systemizing the techniques in accordance with the 5 elements.
Both Lao Qi Pai and Shao Qi Pai although sharing some differing approaches, the techniques are practically the same. Lao Qi Pai is less popular nowadays and even Shao Qi Pai is more commonly known by its latter derivatives such as Wuxing Tongbeiquan.
Many of Qi Xin’s, Qi Taichang’s and Jia Xing’s disciples carried on their masters heritage and become legendary throughout the Jianghu (Martial World). Renowned for its fearsome arsenal of continuous whipping powerful attacks and immense power generated through the back, Tongbeiquan became feared by many and revered by its practitioners.
THE EVOLUTION OF QI FAMILY TONG BEI QUAN
Qi Style - Shao Qi Pai - Xiu Style Wu Xing Tong Bei Quan (5 Elements Tongbeiquan)
A derivative of Qi Family Tongbeiquan practiced in Dongbei region (Liaoning) by the descendants of Xiu Jianchi (1883-1959). By emphasis on the 5 palms Shuai, Pao, Chuan, Pi, Zhan it was then called the 5 Elements Tongbeiquan. Xiu Jianchi did a lot to advance and structure the Tongbeiquan style, especially towards the latter part of his life he wrote many treatise on the methods, practise and theory of Tongbeiquan. Borrowing from Classical chinese medical and philosophical theories such as those of Yin and Yang, 5 element, Daoism, Sun Zi Bin Fa and more. It is said that his contributions evolve Tongbeiquan to an even more advanced level.
The 5 Element theory is not just the basic 5 palms but includes the Large 5 Elements (Ape, Eagle, Roc, Crane and Lion), Small 5 Elements ( Snake, Cat, Hawk, Swallow and Rooster), Internal 5 Elements (Yi, Shen, Qi, Li & Yong), Outer 5 Elements (Slash, Slap, Cross, Chop, Thrust), Single 5 Elements (Spring, Twinkle, Shoot, Lightning, Thunder) and the 5 Defenses (Up, Down, Middle, Left and Right).
Xiu Jianchi, also created many sets such as the 6 Standing Postures - Qiankun, Zhoutian, Wuxing, Ziwu, Hunyuan and Zonghe. 6 Moving Techniques - Roc Spreads Wings, Monkey Exits Cave, Monkey Enters Cave, 12 Links, Continuous Single Line Strike, Singular Defenses on Attack. 6 Routines/Forms such as Tongbei Gong, Tongbei Palm, Tongbei Fist, Xiao Lianhuan, Da Lianhuan and Mysterious Postures of Ape and Roc.
Qi Style - Shao Qi Pai - Zhang Style Taiji Wu Xing Tong Bei Quan (Taiji 5 Elements Tongbei)
Zhang Ce was gifted martial arts master. In his youth he learnt the rudiments of his families Chuojiao, Fanzi and Shaoling Boxing. Later, he studied Qi Style Tongbei with Chen Qing (disciple of Qi Xin) and then with his older gungfu brother Wang Zhanchuan (disciple of Chen Qing) . He also studied Shi style with Han Dongyi (Disciple of Shi Hongsheng). Later on he created his own style called Wuyuan Tongbei. The 5 Apes (Wu Yuan) are Shi Hou, Ma Hou, Er Hou, Yuan Hou and Changbi Hou also referred to the 5 shapes. These 5 shapes are representated by various jing (power) methods and by a palm as per the 5 Elements as found in Wuxing Tongbeiquan. After studying Taiji Quan with Yang Jianhou, he created Tongbei Taiji, sometimes known as Taij Wuxing Tongbeiquan. He won his great reputation from his many victories in real fighting. He was so respected that he was called Bei Sheng, or "Sage of Tongbei". As he was open in teaching, many people studied with him (over 300 followers) and his two cousins, but only few inherited his true skill. Zhang Ce was also good friends with Sun Lu Tang (Taiji, Xingyi and Bagua Master), it is said that they had spoken about combining all the arts into a new style but unfortunately did complete their ambitions.
Zhang Dianhua, a disciple of Zhang Ce stated that the combat techniques of Tongbeiquan could be summarized by the 5 element theory of Chinese philosophy including the creation and destruction cycles. He also furtherly took the theories of Tongbeiquan into the realms of neijiaquan by also believing that the essence of Taiji could be obtained equally throught the practice of Tongbeiquan.
SHI STYLE BAI YUAN TONG BEI QUAN
Lu Yunqing who was from Zhou Village in Wei County, Jinan District, Shandong Province taught Shi Hongsheng (Shi Family Tongbeiquan or Baiyuan Tongbei) who emphasized the 24 methods as the core of his style which became a popular practise amongst the chinese moslems/Huizu of the Niujie district in Beijing. In Beijing, Shi Hongsheng taught only a few disciples including Han Tongyi (An Old Daoist of the Baiyun Guan - White Cloud Daoist Temple), Liu Ziying (a Chinese Medical Physician), Zhang Wencheng ( Store Keeper), Ma Xiaohe (Moslem from NiuJie area in Beijing) and Xiang Zhongshan.
The Niujie quarter of Beijing is also renowned as the place where Beijing Shuai Jiao (Chinese Wrestling) practitioners are also found. Therefore when Baiyuan Tongbeiquan was brought, the style also was enhanced to include many Shuai Jiao methods. Ma Xiaohe, one of the disciples of Wang Qicheng, was responsible for bringing and propagating the Tongbeiquan martial art to the Niu Jie area of Beijing. Ma Xiaohe taught 3 key disciples with each mastering different aspects. Wang Guixiang studied the 108 Hands (108 Shou), Zhang Shaosan 24 Postures methods (Ershisi Shi Quan) and Hou Xirong studied the 6 Sequences of Separating Boxing (Liu Tang Chai Quan). The Zhang Shaosan and the 24 Postures approach was the most influential and widespread in the Niujie area.
Later other methods were practiced such as the Ba Shou Lian Quan (8 Hands Linking Boxing) which was introduced by Li Jun ( from Daxin Village, Gu An County, Hebei Province just south of Beijing). In fact these 8 hands are just modifications from the 24 Postures. The Shi Er Zhang (12 Palms) is another addition which was introduced by Mr. Wu Tian, but are also found within the 108 Hands. The 24 Postures are actually 4 sequences which are divided as Quan (Boxing), Zhang (Palms), Zhou (Elbows) and Chui (Strikes). These 24 posture sequences hold the essence of Niu Jie Shi Style Bai Yuan Tongbeiquan.
OTHER BRANCHES OR LINES OF TONG BEI QUAN
Qi Style - Shao Qi Pai - Liuhe Tongbeiquan: Also known as Liuhe Ruanshou Tongbeiquan (6 Harmonies Soft hands Tongbeiquan). Derived from the last set of students of Qi Taichang. So the tongbeiquan he passed in the latter part of his life became known as Liuhe Tongbeiquan.
Hongdong Tongbeiquan: A completely different method named Tongbeiquan from Henan Province bearing little in common with mainstream Tongbeiquan and greater resemblance to Taijiquan.
Liangji Tongbei: This was passed on by Shandong Master Liu Yi, after he studied with two masters Zhang Laosui and Zhang Zhili in Hebei’s Jixian County, in respect he named the style Liangji (Double Ji – in reference to the two masters of Ji County). The most representative method is the Shi Er Lian Quan (12 Linked Fists).
