The Legendary Origins of Yanqingquan
The origins of Yanqingquan are both ancient and mysterious. Dating back to the Sui or Tang dynasty. It is also known as Mizuquan, Mizongquan, Mizongyi or Yanqingjiazi. It is popular throughout China but is mostly practised throughout the Cang County regions of Hebei Province.
The exact origins are unknown and legends differ amongst practitioners. Some suggest that it was related to ancient Shaolin Master Jin Naluo, others suggest that Yan Qing and Cheng Zijing had mastered the arts of the Sui period and developed separate arts, Yan Qing called it Yanqingquan and Cheng Zijing called it Mizongquan. Another legend states that in the Song dynasty Lu Junyi from Daming county in Hebei province was a great master of martial arts and imparted his skills to a servant named Yanqing. In line with Chuojiaomen, it is sometimes also said that Master Zhou Tong in the Song dynasty taught the art.
The History and Development of Yanqingquan
The development and propagation of Yanqing quan however, can be attributed to Sun Tong (1772-1882) who was born in Taian county, Shandong Province. He had loved wushu since very young and studied from various masters. He became a disciple of great master Zhang in Yanzhou county, Shandong province. He studied for over 10 years and progressed so quickly that he was nicknamed “Sun the Iron Leg” as excelled in the kicking methods and legwork. His teacher advised that he seek out masters from around North China and improved his skills tremendously. So much so that he became “Sun the versatile Iron Leg”.
He returned after his travels to Master Zhang's home only to discover he had passed away. After expressing his learnings to Zhang Yulan, who wanted to challenge him, and by accident killed her. Deeply depresed by the event he left Shandong and ended up at Yaoguantun village, Cang County, Hebei Province. It is here that he passed on his skills to students, and from then forward the style of Yanqingquan laid its foundational mark on the martial world.
In Cang County Sun Tong's skills were passed on by key disciples (thereafter branches) : Cangzhou City's Sunzhuangzi's Chen Shan , Tianjin City Jinghai county Sunjiayuan Lu Ming , Cang County Keniuzhuang Yu Style , Dongguang County Anletunzhuang Huo Xuwu, Yangcheng Zhuang Village Tian Yongchun, Wen Lin and Cang county Lilongtunmiao Monk Zhiyuan.
Sun Tong’s most senior disciple was Chen Shan, this school became the most popular in all of Hebei province. He taught many great masters and his disciples were famous for their excellent skills. Keeping to the original teachings this school contains the most content and training methods. This school has been propagated all over China including Dongbei (Heilongjiang and Liaoning province), Sichuan and Shandong.
