Ying Zhao Fan Zi, Mizong Luohan, and the Connection with Jing Wu

Jing Wu Tiyuhui (精武體育會) – Elite Martial Athletic Association, in Shanghai, is more commonly known as the Jing Wu Athletic Association and as Ching Mo in Cantonese. It was founded in 1910 to develop fitness and lift the morale of the Chinese people, and to promote and advance traditional Chinese martial arts.

Huo Yuanjia is traditionally regarded as the founder of Jing Wu. However, his tenure there was brief as he died at 42 years of age, only a few months after his arrival in Shanghai. After Huo’s passing, Zhao Lianhe (趙連和, 1883–1945), an expert in Liu He Men (六合门) – Six Harmonies,  Mizong Quan (迷蹤拳) – Labyrinth Style, Er Lang Men (二郎門), and other styles. developed a standardized curriculum based mostly on the Northern Gong Fu styles. The curriculum consisted of ten routines, which were prerequisites for all trainees before they embarked on other studies with the various masters who were teaching at Jing Wu.

The 10 Original Routines are still practiced at the Shanghai Jing Wu Association today, as well as at other Jing Wu branches throughout the world. They are also popular outside of Jing Wu proper and are taught with slight variations at schools with different northern-based styles. Following is a complete list of names for the 10 forms:

1. Twelve Rows Springing Legs (十二路彈腿) – Shi Er Lu Tan Tui 
2. Power Training Fist (功力拳) – Gong Li Quan 
3. Intercepting Fist ( 截拳) – Jie Quan 
4. Great Battle Fist (大戰拳) – Da Zhan Quan 
5. Eight Diagram Broadsword (八卦刀) – Bagua Dao 
6. Sheep Flocking Staff (群羊棍) – Qun Yang Gun 
7. Five Tiger Spear (五虎枪) – Wu Hu Qiang
8. Springing Legs Partner Set ( 接潭腿) – Jie Tan Tui
9. Fighting Set Fist (套拳) -Tao Quan, also known as Double Fist (雙拳) – Shuang Quan
10. Broadsword Versus Spear (单刀对枪) – Dan Dao Dui Qian 

Commentary on the 10 forms:

The forms listed above have nothing to do with Huo Yuanjia and do not represent the Mizong Gong Fu system. Most of the leading masters who taught at Jing Wu, like Huo Yuanjia, were from Hebei province. Likewise, the 10 forms that derive from that region are probably the contribution of more than one master, and most likely represent more than one style.

1. Shi Er Lu Tan Tui – Is often used as a gateway for more advanced training in Chang Quan (長拳) – Long Fist styles. There are Four Major Styles of Long Fist. These are: Cha Quan (查拳),  Hua Quan (華拳),  Hong Quan (洪拳) and Pao Quan (炮拳).
2. Gong Li Quan – There is a Northern Chinese martial arts system called “Gong Li Quan” that is popular in Hebei, especially in the Cangzhou region (Grandmaster Ye Yuting’s birthplace). It is not clear whether the Jing Wu set derives from this system.
3. Jie Quan – This is an excellent form for building typical Northern Long Fist kicking and punching combinations. The techniques are simple, direct and easy to learn. Practicing Jie Quan helps build stamina and agility and enhances jumping skills.
4. Da Zhan Quan – This form is lengthy and usually divided in two sections referred to as the Upper and Lower sections. It introduces students to other fundamental techniques of the Northern school. The form expresses more sophisticated techniques than those learned in Jie Quan.
5. Bagua Dao – This set has nothing to do with the Internal system of Bagua. The name derives from the pattern of the routine. Nowadays, it is not unusual to see this set performed in a more linear pattern, which facilitates learning and large group practice. However, many traditional teachers stick to the original pattern of the set.
6. Qun Yang Gun – The original name of this form was Hu Pu Qun Yang Gun, or Five Tigers Pouncing on a Sheep Flock. This set was popular in Hebei province and is a sound set for introducing staff work from the Northern School. It is not known when the name of this set was shortened.
7. Wu Hu Qiang – This introduces the most fundamental and important spear techniques. The name, Five Tigers, refers to the legendary Five Tigers Generals of the Three Kingdoms Era. The name serves as a reminder for the kind of fighting spirit that should be displayed during practice and in combat with an opponent.
8. Tan Tui Dui Lian – This set is also known as Jie Tan Tui (Tan Tui Duet). It is a representation of the solo Tan Tui set practiced with a partner.
9. Tao Quan – This is a partner routine that introduces the most basic Qin Na (the Chinese art of joint manipulation) techniques as well as some fundamental grappling skills. Various joint locks and escape techniques are practiced with a partner to acquire a basic knowledge of how to properly apply the locks.
10. Dan Dao Dui Qiang – This Saber versus Spear set is instrumental in introducing the basic fighting applications of both the saber and the spear. Timing, gauging distance, focus, and reaction speed are developed while practicing this set.

The 10 routines were well thought out and served to give a solid foundation to all Jing Wu trainees. They further provided a platform from which to launch more advanced training in the various Northern Styles available through different masters who were part of the Jing Wu faculty.

In many ways, the foresight demonstrated by these masters, to establish a standardized curriculum at a time when secrecy and preference for one’s own system were prevalent, is admirable and worth careful thought and consideration on the part of modern exponents of Chinese martial arts.

Both Chen Zizheng (陈子正, 1878 – 1933) and Ye Yuting (葉雨亭, 1892-1962),  had spent time teaching at Jing Wu. Chen Zizheng was among the original handful of masters to hold a teaching post there. Later, as Jing Wu became better known, many more masters found their way there.

The original Jing Wu sets instituted by Zhao Lianhe are taught both within the Ying Zhao Fan Zi (鹰爪翻子) and Mizong Luohan (迷蹤羅漢) systems with slight variations that emphasize the intrinsic characteristics of the two styles. Without a doubt, both Chen Zizheng and Ye Yuting learned the sets while at Jing Wu and incorporated them in the body of work of their own systems, lending the forms the particular characteristics innate in their own styles. These sets are still taught today as fundamental practice within these two styles.

Note: Ye Yuting was in Shanghai prior to 1909. At that time, a group of revolutionaries established the Jiang Zhe Tong Men Hui (江浙同盟會). This was the predecessor of the Jing Wu Athletic Association which was established in 1910. So, Ye Yuting was part of Jing Wu very early on and his ideals were aligned with the revolutionary alliance.

I will write more on this in a future post.

Closing comment

It has been my observation that there are other sequences from Ying Zhao Fan Zi and Mizong Luohan that bear the same name and have similar patterns, which leads me to believe that these two masters picked up other sets from various sources during their tenure at Jing Wu.