- Liang Zhenpu
Liang Zhenpu (梁振蒲) (1863-1932) was a Chinese martial artist.
He was born in Beihaojia Village in Ji County in
Hebei province on May 20th, 1863 during theQing Dynasty under the rule ofEmperor Tongzhi , and died on August 13th at the age of 69 due to illness. He trained inTan Tui and Biaozhang during his early childhood. [ [http://bagua01.com/lishi/liang.html Jilin Province Wushu Association Baguazhang Branch website] ] At the age of 13, he moved toBeijing to apprentice at his father's second hand clothing store. At this time he had the nickname "Second Hand Clothing Liang." [cite book | author = Gongcheng, Li | title = Baguazhuangzhang Jijishu | publisher = Beijing Physical Education University Press | city = Beijing | year = 1994 ] It was during this period in 1877 that he became a direct disciple ofBaguazhang creatorDong Haichuan . He studied with Dong for about five years and was well liked by all of Dong's students. He had the fortune of not only learning fromDong Haichuan but also from Dong's other students includingCheng Tinghua ,Yin Fu , Shi Jidong, and Liu Fengchun. [ [http://bagua.freehostia.com/liangzhenpu.html BeijingBagua.com website] ]In Ji County he defeated the four "Batian" gangs. On April 20th in the 25th year of
Emperor Guangxu (1899), he saw that there were many injustices being committed by local criminals and single handedly fought over 200 gangsters, killing and wounding over 70. [cite book | author = Gongcheng, Li | title = Baguazhuangzhang Jijishu | publisher = Beijing Physical Education University Press | city = Beijing | year = 1994 ] He was subsequently imprisoned. When theEight-Nation Alliance army invadedBeijing to crush theBoxer Rebellion his prison was heavily damaged and he managed to escape.Since he had little martial arts training before meeting Dong, his
Baguazhang was arguably the purest, with little influence from other styles. One example of this is the fact that hisBaguazhang forms are the most circular in nature among theBaguazhang variants. Every one of his sets are taught in a circle, unlike versions from earlier students (for example,Yin Style Baguazhang ) which have many linear segments. [ [http://bagua.freehostia.com/liangzhenpu.html BeijingBagua.com website] ]Liang Zhen Pu style
Baguazhang is known to include the following elements: [ [http://bagua.freehostia.com/liangzhenpu.html BeijingBagua.com website] ]1. Wei Gong Ba Zhang (Fighting When Surrounded Eight Palm) 2. Lao Ba Zhang (Old Eight Palm) 3. Single Movement Practice 4. 64 Movement Linked Circle Walking 5. 64 Movement Straight Line Form 6. Bagua Chin Na (Grappling) 7. Yin and Yang Throwing Techniques 8. Two Man Sparring Forms 9. Long and Short Weapons a.Bagua Big Broadsword b.Chicken-Headed Hooks c. Deer Horn Knives d.Bagua Straight Sword e.Kun Lun Fan f.Yin Yang Pen Brush g.Steel "Yo-Yo" Meteors h.Wind and Fire Wheels 10. Dian Xue (Pressure Point Fighting)
One of Liang's most famous students was
Li Ziming (1902-1993) who eventually became head of theBeijing Baguazhang Research Association and spread Liang's style around the world. Liang Zhenpu is the only student ofDong Haichuan to be buried next to his tomb. [ [http://bagua.freehostia.com/liangzhenpu.html BeijingBagua.com website] ]References----
* Gongcheng, Li. "Baguazhuangzhang Jijishu". Beijing Physical Education University Press, Beijing, 1994.
* [http://bagua01.com/lishi/liang.html Jilin Province Wushu Association Baguazhang Branch website]
* [http://bagua.freehostia.com/liangzhenpu.html Beijingbagua.com website]Notes----
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