Four Great Masters of the Late Qing Dynasty

During an interview with Master Di Guoyong, he mentioned four Major Masters of the late Qing Dynasty. I tried to pursue this subject with Master Di but did not get much information beyond confirming the names of these Four Masters. They are listed here based on the year of birth: Dong Haichuan (董海川, 1797-1882), Yang Luchan (杨路禅, 1799-1872), Guo Yunshen (郭云深, 1820-1901), and Liu Shijun (刘仕俊, 1840-1910). Collectively they were known as Wulin Da Si Jie (武林大四傑) – Four Great Martial Arts Masters.

Note: 武林– Wulin is another frequently-used term for 武術– Wushu.

To gather additional information, I inquired among some of my other teachers and Chinese martial arts friends of the older generation. While these four masters are well recognized, I could not gather too much information, so I continued my research.

When researching famous martial arts masters of the late Qing Dynasty, I came across lists of Ten Famous Masters, Seven Famous Masters, and others. And while some of the masters mentioned above were incorporated in some of these lists, what became obvious was that many of the masters listed had passed away during the Republican Era, or ROC (Zhong Huan Min Guo – 中華民國 – Republic of China 1912-1949). Dong Haichuan, Yang Luchan, Guo Yunshen, and Liu Shijun all passed away during the Late Qing Dynasty; Liu Shijun passed during its waning days.  

Only while researching these masters individually was I able to confirm the term “Wulin Da Si Jie,” and in a few cases “Wulin Si Jie (武林四傑) – Four Great Masters.” Since these masters were mentioned together in one breath, it is plausible that they knew each other or at least knew of each other.

There is extensive biographical information available on these masters, with varying accounts, which is easily obtainable. Instead, I will offer a brief synopsis of how they might have become acquainted.

Dong Haichuan was a Han Chinese from Zhujiawu Village of Wen’an County, in what at that time was Zhili (直隸), meaning “Directly Administered.” Zhili became the Province of Hebei (河北省) in 1928 under the ROC.

Dong is regarded as the founder of Bagua Zhang (八卦掌) who learned the art from a mysterious master on Peach Blossom Mountain. After returning to his village, Dong seriously injured someone in a fight and was sought by the authorities. To conceal himself, he became a eunuch and was given charge of the kitchen in Prince Su’s mansion.

On one occasion, Yang Luchan was summoned by Prince Su to display his skills with other martial artists. Yang defeated them easily and threw one of the martial arts practitioners into the garden. Dong Haichuan, who happened to be passing by, caught the man, saving him from serious harm. This showed that Dong possessed martial arts skills, which led to the two masters crossing hands. After several furious exchanges, neither could gain the advantage and the match was considered a draw. Thereafter, although rivals, they remained on friendly terms. Dong Haichuan lived to an advanced age and went on to teach Bagua Zhang to many disciples.

Note: The encounter between Dong Haiquan and Yang Luchan has never been proven.

Yang Luchan was from Yanmenzhai Village, Yongnian County in Zhili Province. According to many accounts, Yang came from a poor family and practiced martial arts from an early age. When he was 19 years old, he traveled to Chen Village (陈家沟) in Henan Province (河南省) where he learned Taiji Quan (太极拳) from the great master Chen Changxing (陈长兴), concealing himself as a servant until he eventually earned the master’s trust.  In those days, challenges between martial arts practitioners were common and Yang, having won many fights, became known as Yang Wudi (杨无敌) – Yang the Invincible.

Eventually he met Wu Yuxiang (武禹襄) who learned martial arts from him. Wu Yuxiang came from a family of high-ranking Qing officials. Some sources say that it was Wu who introduced Yang Luchan to the Imperial Court where he later taught many of the princes.

Yang Luchan’s sons, Yang Banhou (杨班侯,1837-1892) and Yang Jianhou (杨建侯, 1839–1917), taught military and other high-ranking Qing court officials the art of Yang Style Taiji Quan (杨氏太极拳). Thus, the style gained notice and began to spread. Note, however, that the Taiji learned by Yang Luchan in Chen Village is now commonly known as Chen Style Taiji Quan (陈氏太极拳).

Guo Yunshen was from Mazhuang Village in Zhili Province. He was fond of martial arts since his youth and sought out renowned teachers to expand his knowledge and skills. He studied Baji Quan (八极拳) from Sun Tingli (孙亭立) for several years. Sun suggested that to further his training Guo should study Xingyi Quan (形意拳) with Li Laoneng (李洛能,1808－1890). Guo Yunshen trained with Li for more than 10 years, becoming one of his Eight Disciples and eventually his most skilled student.

Guo Yunshen became famous for his Xingyi Beng Quan (崩拳)- Smashing Fist, using it to defeat many opponents in fights. Eventually he killed someone and was imprisoned. While in prison he continued to practice his Xingyi but because he was shackled, he could not take a full stride while doing his favored Beng Quan. Therefore, he modified his footwork and developed his Ban Bu Beng Quan (半步崩拳) – Half-Step Smashing Fist. Guo became so skilled that it was said that Guo’s Ban Bu Beng Quan could defeat the whole world.

A popular legend says that Guo Yunshen challenged the Bagua Master Dong Haichuan and that neither could defeat the other. Afterwards they formed a pact where Xingyi Quan practitioners would learn Bagua Zhang and vice versa. This story has never been proven.

Liu Shijun was born in Guzhuangtou Village, Xiong County, in what is now Hebei Province. He practiced martial arts since his youth and worked odd jobs to make a living. He learned Yue Shi San Shou (岳氏散手) – Yue Style Free Hands, from a Buddhist monk named Dao Ji Seng (道济僧). While staying at an inn, Liu went to the courtyard at night to practice his martial arts. His practice was observed by a man who commented that his skills were not good for fighting. This led Liu Shijun to challenge the bystander who easily neutralized Liu’s attacks and immobilized him by applying an Eagle Claw technique.

The bystander was a monk named Fa Cheng Seng (法成僧). Liu kowtowed to the monk and asked to become his disciple; he learned Yue Shi Lian Quan (岳氏连拳) – Yue Style Continuous Boxing, Eagle Claw Qinna (鹰爪擒拿) and spear techniques (枪技法), becoming especially proficient in Da Jiang (大枪), the Big Spear.

Note: The character 僧 – Seng stands for monk.

Liu Shijun refined what he had learned from his teachers and gained a reputation for his fighting prowess, earning the nicknames Xiong Xian Liu  (雄县刘) – Liu from Xiong County and Da Gan Zi Liu (大杆子刘) – Big Pole Liu for his skills with the long staff. His reputation in martial arts circles eventually led him to become the chief instructor for the Shen Ji Battalion (神机营). While in Beijing he taught many disciples; among the most well-known was Liu Dekuan (刘德宽, 1826-1911), who also became a disciple of Dong Haichuan.

After his service, Liu Shijun returned to his hometown where he taught martial arts. Among his chief disciples were his grandnephew, Liu Chengyou (刘成有), and Li Zhensheng (李振生). Liu Chengyou then taught his third son, Li Qiwen (劉啟文), and his nephew Chen Zizheng (陈子正, 1878-1933). Chen Zizheng went on to teach at the Shanghai Jing Wu Athletic Association. From there the art of Ying Zhao Fan Zi (鷹爪翻子) spread to South China.