Liang Zhenpu


Liang Zhenpu was a Chinese martial artist.

Biography

Liang Zhenpu was born in Beihaojia Village in Ji County in Hebei province on May 20, 1863 during the Qing dynasty under the reign of the Tongzhi Emperor. He trained in Tan Tui and Biaozhang during his early childhood. At the age of 13, he moved to Beijing to become an apprentice at his father's second-hand clothing store. At this time he had the nickname "Second Hand Clothing Liang". During this period, in 1877, he became a direct disciple of Baguazhang creator Dong Haichuan. He studied with Dong for about five years, also learning from Dong's other students including Cheng Tinghua, Yin Fu, Shi Jidong, and Liu Fengchun. After the death of both his parents at age 20, he opened a martial arts kwoon to make a living.
In Ji County he defeated the four "Batian" gangs. In 1899, he saw many injustices being committed by local gangs in the Beijing suburb of Majiapu and single-handedly fought over 200 gang members armed only with a seven-section chain whip, killing 20 and wounding over 50. He was subsequently imprisoned and sentenced to death. When the Eight-Nation Alliance army invaded Beijing to crush the Boxer Rebellion, his prison was heavily damaged and he managed to escape.
Liang Zhenpu died on August 13, 1932, at the age of 69. He is the only student of Dong Haichuan to be buried next to his tomb.

Baguazhang style

As the youngest disciple of Dong, he trained not only with Dong but also with both Yin Fu and Cheng Tinghua, and as a result his style of Baguazhang has some characteristics of both styles. Examples include the Ox Tongue Palm from Yin Style and wrestling movements from Cheng Style. His Baguazhang forms are taught in a circle with the exception of Liu Dekuan's 64 Linear Palms, unlike versions from earlier students which have many linear segments. One of Liang's most famous students was Li Ziming who eventually became head of the Beijing Baguazhang Research Association and spread Liang's style around the world.
Liang Zhenpu style Baguazhang is known to include the following elements:
  1. Ji Ben Gong
  2. Zhuang Fa
  3. Bu Fa
  4. Dan Cao Ba Shi
  5. Dui Lian Ba Shi
  6. Ding Shi Ba Zhang
  7. Ba Da Zhang aka Lao Ba Zhang
  8. Zhi Tang 64 Zhang
  9. Ba Mian Zhang
  10. # Big Broadsword
  11. # Straight Sword
  12. # Spear
  13. # Rooster Knives
  14. # Chicken Claw Knives
  15. # Mandarin Duck Knives
  16. # Crescent Moon Knives
  17. # Kun Lun Fan
  18. # Yin Yang Pen Brush
  19. # Steel "Yo-Yo" Meteors
  20. # Seven Star Rod
  21. # Wind and Fire Rings
  22. Lian Huan Zhang
  23. Long Xing Zhang
  24. Qishier Qinna
  25. Long and Short Weapons