Booming Popularity, Strong Momentum (Part 2)
Section 2: Boxing Styles and Techniques, Unique Secret Arts. Xiangtan's Only Native Boxing Style — the Wu Family Boxing. Originally a Southern Shaolin style and one of the Southern boxing schools, it spread around Xiangtan, Hunan, and is a widely practiced, well-loved style with distinctive features. In the late Qianlong era of the Qing, Wu Bida of Tingzhou, Fujian (also known as Wu Hei, courtesy name Youneng) (1751–18...)
This article has been compiled from historical materials in the "Zhangjiajie Tour Guide Network" (33519.com · City Overview section). Some administrative divisions, population, socioeconomic data, and policy information may be outdated and are for reference only; for the latest situation, please refer to official releases by the local government and scenic areas.
Section II
Fist Techniques and Skills, Unique Secret Arts
Xiangtan's Only Native Fist Style — Wujia Quan
Wujia Quan was originally a Southern Shaolin fist technique and one of the Southern boxing schools. It spread in the Xiangtan area of Hunan and is a widely circulated and popularly beloved fist style with a unique character in Hunan. It was created in the late Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty by Wu Bida (also known as Wu Hei, courtesy name Youneng) (1751-1812) of Tingzhou, Fujian. Huang Xing, one of the leaders of the 1911 Revolution, and "Woman Knight of Jianhu" Qiu Jin both practiced this boxing style. This boxing combines the various offensive and defensive techniques of Shaolin martial arts with the characteristics of Wudang internal martial arts. The stances are compact, with power concealed rather than exposed; movements are linked continuously, each ring interlocking with the next, with no obvious pauses. The routines mostly move in straight lines back and forth, with no falling, rolling, or jumping movements. The principles of Wujia Quan are: in combat, never separate from the seven openings; hands strike for three parts, feet pursue for seven parts; advance when there is an opening, attack whenever a gap appears; hands advance, body advances, feet follow; when the mind moves, qi moves, and power moves. Its fist technique routines include Six Elbows, Eight Fists, Twelve Fists, and other sets, totaling eighteen kinds.
The Oldest Fist Style — Miao Quan
Miao Quan is an ancient fist style. According to the general incantations of the Miao Quan "Invoking the Master" ritual, this boxing originated with Chiyou. It was not until the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, after Shi Zhiyan of Jinniu Village, Malichang, Huayuan County, led a Miao uprising that failed, that he went into seclusion at Tiankuan Chong in Liuli (present-day Sanjiaoyan Township) to teach boxing and transmit skills, forming a relatively systematic set of routines and naming it Miao Quan. Shi Zhiyan was skilled in the meteor hammer and the Nine-Son Whip, and created the Chiyou Fist technique. The key to Miao Quan stance training is: "Practice stances before practicing fists; when punching, do not sway." There is also: "Horse stance, horse stance, one horse two steps; arrow stance, arrow stance, advance with method; front bow and rear arrow, release power smoothly and strongly." The key to eye training: "Eyes like brass bells observing movement, unblinking through wind and rain." The key to facing battle: "First fight with a calm heart, second fight with courage." The stylistic characteristics of Miao Quan are: ancient fist forms, compact stances, small movement arcs — hence the saying "Miao Quan can be practiced in a space the size of a lying ox" — strong combat effectiveness, many offensive and defensive techniques, and expertise in chopping, lifting, and deflecting. Its bare-hand routines include Bahe Quan, Liuhe Quan, and Dasimen Quan.
Hunan's First Bionic-Movement Fist Style — Mufu Quan
Mufu Quan, also known as "Dragon-Tiger Fighting for the Nest Fist," is spread at the foot of Mufu Mountain in Pingjiang County. Legend has it that this boxing was created by the Jin Dynasty physician Ge Hong when he lived in seclusion on Mufu Mountain (some say Ge Hong lived in seclusion on Luofu Mountain in Guangdong). Once, Ge Hong witnessed a fierce tiger fighting a giant python. The python's winding and soaring movements and the tiger's leaping and pouncing revealed to Ge Hong a hidden mystery, so he merged the martial arts he had practiced all his life with the movements of the "dragon-tiger fight" to create "Mufu Quan." The contemporary inheritor Li Liangxing organized and compiled this boxing routine in 1983 and performed it at the 1988 National Martial Arts Exhibition Conference in Jinzhou, receiving high praise. Mufu Quan has a total of 80 routine movements, each closely connected, each responding to the others, excelling in practical attack and defense. For example, the move "Four Tigers Roaming the Gate" can control the opponent's multi-directional attacks in one action, leaving the opponent completely restrained. Another example is the move "Three Yields of Xuzhou," which can make the opponent mistakenly perceive an opening, launch a full-force attack, and when they have staked everything, the defender can use their force against them and defeat them in one move.
First Batch of National-Level Intangible Cultural Heritage — Meihua Quan
Meihua Quan is said to have been learned from Sichuan by the Hunan Guiyang boxer Wan Fuzi during the Guangxu period. After returning home, he taught students in Chenzhou, Guiyang, Lanshan, Jiahe County, and other places, and it has been passed down for six generations to date. Meihua Quan uses grappling as its primary technique, characterized by: emphasis on first striking, second throwing, third squeezing, fourth kicking, fifth locking, and sixth sweeping. The moves are rigorous, varied, with clear distinction between motion and stillness, clean and efficient. When practicing, one must be: moving like a swimming dragon, still as a crouching tiger, swift as a cunning rabbit, agile as an ape, light as a cloud crane. It has strong offensive and defensive awareness and provides fitness benefits. Bare-hand routines include One Line, Two Lions Fighting for the Ball, Three Plum Blossom Stakes, and 14 other sets. In 2006, it was inscribed on the first batch of the national-level intangible cultural heritage list.
The Oldest and Most Primitive Skill — Vajra Qigong
"Vajra Qigong," also known as "Hunyuan Yijinjing," is the oldest and most primitive skill, said to have been created by Master Bodhidharma. Changsha qigong master Yang Shaoqing studied under Hubei Jingmen qigong and martial arts masters Xiao Hong and Bin Xi, practicing "Vajra Qigong" for over 50 years, and has considerable influence in the Changsha area. The book "Vajra Qigong," compiled by Yang Shaoqing and organized by Sun Zhigao, was published by Hunan Science and Technology Press in 1980. The characteristic of Vajra Qigong is the combined training of consciousness, breathing, and movement. It emphasizes, on the premise of focused intention and mental quietude, using coherent and rounded movements coordinated with various breathing methods to comprehensively train intention, qi, and power, achieving both internal and external benefits.