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Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Xingyi, Tai Chi and Bagua Seminar with
Matt Autrey

*Senior Student of Luo De Xiu of Taiwan*


Boulder, CO. Dates and Curriculum:
Saturday, November 8th - 1st Session 1:00pm – 4:00pm
          Tai Chi Chuan – Essential Skills - Theory and Application
This will be an excellent introduction to basics of Tai Chi Chuan. Learn the fundamental training practices, footwork, and applications of Tai Chi.  This seminar is open to public and beginners are welcome.
Saturday, November 8th - 2nd Session 4:30pm – 7:30pm 
Gao Bagua Zhang – Hou Tian – Straight Line Bagua – Line 8 
In this seminar Matt will teach Line 8 (8.4 -8.8) Hou Tian Bagua. The famous Straight Line Bagua of the Gao system. Matt will cover Bagua form, theory, application and training practices for the 8th line. This seminar is a great addition to any Bagua Zhang style. This seminar is open to public, beginners and advanced practitioners are welcome.
                                                                                                                                                         
Sunday, November 9th - 1st Session 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Xing Yi Quan – Pounding & Crossing Fist – Skills and Drills
Matt will be teaching Xingyi Quan Pounding & Crossing fist. This session will cover the philosophy, methodology, training drills and application strategies used in Pounding and Crossing.  This seminar is open to public, beginners and advanced practitioners are welcome.

Sunday, November 9th - 2nd Session 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Yi Zong Bagua 2 Person Set #1
This seminar will cover the Yi Zong Bagua 2 Person Set its form, theory and training concepts. Using the two person set this class will build reflexes, timing and distance required for the usage of Bagua. This seminar is open to public and beginners are welcome.

Cost:
1       $175 for all Four Sessions!   
2       Individually, Each Session is $50.
3       Saturday & Sunday $95 each day or $175 for both Days.
4       Preferred payment is cash (please contact if paying by check)
5       Same day registration (call for availability) $190 

FOR PRICING INFO AND LOCATION EMAIL:
Owen Schilling
at mailto: Owen_YiZong@Hotmail.com

Call 1 720 841 3526

Matt will be offering private lessons while he is in town. I highly recommend them; his knowledge and skill applied at the individual level is a fantastic catalyst for growth. Contact me or Matt at yizongwest@gmail.com or talk to him at the seminar.

For more info on Matt check his bloghttp://portlandbagua.com

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Ancient Weapons of China


Smiling Tiger Martial Arts Copyright – 2010 All right reserved



By Zhang Jian


From Wuhun 2009.5, #251

The Window of Knowledge
 

There were a lot of martial arts weapons in the olden times. They are generally known as the ‘18 Weapons’. Qi Jiguang, in Quan Jing Jie Yao [What is Necessary for Victory in Fighting], said "The 18 military weapons, generally speaking, are the kun , dao , qiang , cha , pa , jian , gong shi 弓矢 , gou , lian , etc." Because times have changed, what are called the ‘18 Weapons’ may now differ. They evolved up until the Ming and Qing dynasties. Afterwards this term is used as a general term for many weapons.





The Ancient "Five Weapons"

In looking at the Shi Ji – Wu Di Ben Ji [Historical Records – Annals on the Origins of Five Emperors], the Shi Ben says, "The rustics particularly make the five weapons. These are the ge , shu , qiu mao 酋矛, and yi mao 夷矛. In Xun Zi – Ru Xiao [Xun Zi on Efficacious Confucianism], it says, "On the contrary, the established three changes, lay down the five weapons." In Wang Guangqian’s compiled notes he quotes Fan Zhu to say, "The five weapons are mao , ji , yue , dun , and gong shi 弓矢. In the Three Kingdoms times, the Wei did not have a minister of five weapons. The five weapons therefore are "central weapons, outer weapons, horse riding weapons, and all weapons."


The Ancient "Five Military Weapons"

These five types of weapons are the gong shi 弓矢, shu (12 foot long), mao (20 foot long), ge (6.5 foot long), ji (16 foot long). After the Western Zhou was founded, there was the command to practice with the five strong weapons and promulgate the strong weapons, "In the last month of autumn…the Son of Heaven [the emperor] was taught hunting, used to practice martial weapons, and horsemanship skills by turn." Therefore the world has the saying "Five Weapons."

Yue
This is an ancient weapon. It was made of bronze. It had either a curved blade or a straight blade. It was fixed on a wood shaft. It was used for chopping and hacking. It was common in the Shang and Western Zhou dynasties. When Wang Wu executed Zhou [the last ruler of the Shang dynasty], this resulted in a quick war where Wang Wu was victorious. Ultimately he used a yellow yue to cut off Zhou’s head in Lutaishang (today this is Chaoge Zhennan, Tangyang County, Henan). Mencius, in Zheng Yi, also writes about the yue, "Raise the axes and yue. Use military equipment everywhere."

Tan

This is an ancient weapon. In Han Shu – Han Yanshou Chuan [The Book of Han – by Han Yanshou], it says, "They cast dao , jian , gou , and tan ." Master Yan explains, "The tan is like a jian , or a small knight [xiao xia]." The tan is also called the sword nose, sword mouth, sword head and sword ring. Lu Guimeng in Jing Kou Yu You Sheng Hua Bie [Speaking of Bejing and Saying Good-bye to Friends], says, "Yellow gold decorative jian and tan."

Shu

This is an ancient weapon used in combat. It was made of bamboo or wood. It was 12 feet long. The head used did not need metal or stone to make the edges. There are writings about the shu in one of the 8 kinds of books of the Qin dynasty and there are engravings of weapons among the text. The word ‘shu’ is used as a generic term for all weapons. There are inscriptions and writings about these weapons in the Qin Dynasty such as in Xiang Bang Lu Bu Shu Ge.

Ge
This ancient weapon was made of bronze. It had horizontal edges and was fixed onto a long handle. It was used for horizontal attacks, hooking, and seizing. The ge was commonly used from the Shang dynasty through to the Warring States period.


Mao
This ancient weapon was 20 feet long with a straight point and a wood shaft. During the Shang and Zhou dynasties it was made of bronze. By the time of the Han dynasty they were often being made of iron. During the Three Kingdoms period, Zhang Fei was famous for using his 18 foot Snake Mao to defeat his enemies. The ge and mao are both famous ancient weapons. In Shu – Fei Shi [The Writings of Fei Shi] it says, "Be equipped with bows and arrows. Train with the ge and mao." In Xun Zi – Ru Xiao [Xun Zi on Efficacious Confucianism] it says, "Even the points of the mao and ge are not as good as the sharpness of respectfulness and frugality."


Ji
 

This ancient weapon was made of bronze. It combines the ge and mao into one weapon. It can be used to stab or strike horizontally. It was common in the Eastern Zhou period. By the Warring States period it was beginning to be made of iron. In San Guo Zhi – Wei Zhi, Dian Shu Zhuan [History of the Three Kingdoms – History of Wei, Book of Records], it says, "It is recorded that a strong man can lift a double ji weighing 80 pounds." During the Three Kingdoms period, Lu Bu used a ji to defeat his enemies. Sima Zhen in Suo Yin says, "The jin is nowadays the ji handle; the spikes, and ji also."

Huang

This is an ancient weapon. Cui Bao, in Gu Jie Zhu-Yu Fu [Records from Ancient Times to Today – Public Service], says, "The Qin altered the iron weapons to make the huang. In the beginning, the Emperor regulated them." In the Zheng Zi Tong – Jin Bu [Understanding the Correct Words – Gold Class] it says, "It is used like a jian , but it has three edges. Including the handle, it is three feet five inches long. Tiger or leopard skin is used to make the sheath."

Smiling Tiger Martial Arts Copyright – 2010 All right reserved 3

Shuo

A long mao , it is also called a shuo . In Shi Ming - Shi Bing [Explaining Life – Explaining the Military], it says, "A mao that is 18 feet long is called a shuo, and it is used from horseback." In Jiu Tang Shu – Yuchi Ru’de Chuan [The Book of Old Tang - by Yuchi Ru’de], it says, "Originally it was used on horseback and used to stab with. Ru’de presently contended three times with this weapon." Also, "Rude was very good at understanding and evading the shuo. Each single cavalryman entered the enemy troops. The enemy many times drilled and stabbed but in the end could not injure them. They also would strive to take away the enemy’s shou and stab him with it." During the Tang dynasty, Qin Qiong and Cheng Yaojin lead armies in battle. Both were good at using the shuo from horseback.

Qiang


This ancient weapon was a long lance used for stabbing and striking. This rare military weapon had a long shaft with a pointed head used to stab and kill. Examples are the red tassle qiang and troop qiang. In JiuWu Dai Shi – Wang Yanzhang Zhuan [Old Histories of Five Dynasties – by Wang Yangzhang], it says, "Commonly hold the iron qiang. Thrust strongly to ruin the troops." During the Song (Jin) period, there was a man called Plum Iron Qiang Li Quan. There was also Yang Anren of the Yang Family Qiang methods who was commonly called "20 Years Pear Flower Spear No Enemies Beneath Heaven."

Qiang Arts 枪术

This is one of the martial arts weapons. There are three types: the big qiang, the flower qiang, and the double-headed qiang. The qiang method emphasizes blocking, seizing, and thrusting (lan, na, zha). It also uses, snapping, dotting, splitting, circling, flicking, parrying, sweeping and moving around. Blocking and seizing are defensive methods. When used the actions have small circles, are quick, are precise, and are strong. Thrusting is the attacking method. It is divided into upper level, middle level, and lower level. It requires that the spear posture be level, true, and quick. It exits straight and enters straight. Strength passes to the tip of the qiang. When practicing with the qiang, it requires that the body method be agile with many changes. The range of the movements is large. The stepping is nimble, quick, and stable.
Smiling Tiger Martial Arts Copyright – 2010 All right reserved 4

Yin



This is a long spear.

Hui

This is an ancient weapon. One name for it is "three-edged mao". In Ji Yun – Shi Er Ji [Anthology of Poetry – 12 Clear Days], it says, "The hui, or rui, is called a mao with three edges." The word can also be written as . Confucius says, "The hui is a three-edged mao."

Tan

This is an ancient weapon. In Shi Ji – Su Qinlie Zhuan [Historical Records - Su Qinlie’s Transmissions], it says, "Strong bows in the front, tan and ge in the rear." Therefore this is a long mao. See Shuo Wen – Jin Bu [Explaning Culture by Jin Bu.

Sa
This ancient weapon is a short mao.


Pi
This is a mao or ji with a blade.


Sha

This is a large mao. It is also called a pi . (Today in Jiangdong they call the large mao a pi.) In Shi Ji – Qin Shi Huang Ben Ji [Historical Records – Records of the First Qin Emperor] it says, "Humble hoes 鉏, harrows , and rakes , are opposing tan in a word, ji and long sha 长铩." Ji is a ji .

Shi (also called She )

This is similar to a "ta " or a "shi ". It is a mao . The Xun Zi – Yi Bing [Xun Zi - Discussions on Weapons] says, "Yield the hard iron for shi, cruel like wasps and scorpions." Wang Xianqian’s commentary states, "The ground yields hard iron to make a mao. The words ‘cruel like wasps and scorpions’ indicate the cruelty of the people."

Shi (also called She )

This is the , a mao .

Smiling Tiger Martial Arts Copyright – 2010 All right reserved 5

Ta (also called She )

Yin Yucai in Shuo Wen Jie Zi Zhu [Explaining the Meanings of Words], "The Fang Yan [Dialect] says, ‘The mao, around the area of the five lakes, Wu, Yang, Jiang, Hai, and Nan Chu is called a shi .’ …. a note on shi , this is a word for a ta ." It is also called a snake mao 蛇矛.

Chan (also called Yan 延)

This is a short mao . The Shi Ji- Xiongnu Liezhuan [Historical Record-Biographies of the Xiongnu] says, "Their long weapons are the bow and arrow 弓矢. Their short weapons are the saber and chan . Pei Yin, in Ji Jie [Collected Works] quotes Wei Zhao saying, "The design of the chan is like a mao with an iron handle." He also cites Shen Wei using a mao to stab and kill with.

Ba
1) A military vehicle. See Shuo Wen – Jin Bu [Speaking of Culture – The Jin Armies].
2) A kind of arrow head. Chapter 9 of Fang Yan [Dialect] says, "[arrowheads] so numerous and lasting, like small lian . They are called pi or perhaps they are called ba . Guo Ye said, ?Lian are leng .
3) This can also be a pa .

Fu

One of the weapons of the old dynasties. The Han Shu – Wu Ti Ji [The Book of Han – The Chronicles of Emperor Wu] says, "Zhang and fu divide troops for pursuing and arresting." It was also used for torturing and executing people. Shui Hu Zhuan [ Transmissions from the Water Margin] says, "Li Kui’s nickname was Black Whirlwind. He was very good at using the banfu 板斧."

Pi

This is a type of arrowhead. Chapter 9 of Fang Yan [Dialect] says, "[arrowheads] so numerous and lasting, like small lian . They are called pi or perhaps they are called ba . Guang Yun - Jiu Ma says, ?The reference for the ba character in Fang Yan [Dialect] says, "East of the river it is called 鎞箭."

Smiling Tiger Martial Arts Copyright – 2010 All right reserved 6

Pi

This is the same as a pi 錍. It is a type of arrowhead. It is also called a gan chang 杆长 and is a light arrowhead. Tu Fu in Qi Yue San Ri You Shi Yin Lun Zhuang Nian Leshi Xi Cheng Yuan Ershiyi Cao Chang said, "The long pi chases the crafty rabbit. The projecting feathers must fill the moon."

Dui

This is an ancient weapon that corresponds to a mao . The Shu – Gu Mingxia [Book – by Gu Mingxia] says, "A man with a crown, holding a dui, standing at the side stairs."

Tang

1. The tang and ba are said to be ancient weapons. It has a form like a pitchfork. On top is a sharp edge. Points come out of both sides. The lower part is horizontal and the upper curves upwards. It can be used to make a stabbing attack. It can also be used to defend and ward off. It can be used like both a mao and a shield. Among the people practicing martial arts, many use the Goose Feather Tang.



2. This is an ancient weapon. It is shaped like a crescent on a shaft. There is the flowing metal tang and the mixed metal tang.

Zhua
 
This is a cane or a whip . In the third volume of Jijiu Pian [Hurriedly Written Pages], it says, "Iron chui , zhua 挝, zhang 杖, zhuo 梲, bi 柲, and shu 杸."Yan Shigu explains, "Crude people call it a zhua 挝, refined people call it a zhang 杖."In the Jiu Wu Dai Shi [Old History of the Five Dynasties], it is recorded that Li Cunxiao, also known as An Rusi, while riding and shooting, brave and desperate…. "A single dancing iron zhua, stretched himself up trapped by the battle array, 10,000 men are easy to keep away, because of old far and distant, willingly could there be this."





Bian

This is an ancient weapon. There is the bamboo joint bian and the three edged bian.





Tuo

This is a wooden cudgel 棒. In Huai Nanzi – Shuo Shan Xun [Huai Nanzi – Lectures on Mountain Training] it says, "Catch the bullet and strike the bird. Wield the tuo and bark like a dog."

Ting

This is a kun or a bang. In Mengzi : Liang Huiwang Shang it says, "Kill a man using a ting or with a blade. How is that different?" It also says, "Can cause to take up the ting use to flog the Qin and Chu’s firm armor and sharp weapons."

Chu

Something that pounds things like a bang or a chui 槌. This is an ancient weapon. In Song Shi – Huyan Zan Chuan [A History of the Song Dynasty by Huyan Zan], it says "Therefore you be defeating the displayed sabers, using ‘subdue the demon’ chu 杵." Refering to ‘subdue the demon’ chu, it is based on Buddhist defense methods. It is one of the military weapons grasped by the Jingang Strong Men.

Kui

This is a famous ancient weapon. In Shu – Gu Ming [Book by Gu Ming], it says, "A man with a crown, grasping a kui stands in the east. A man with a crown, grasping a qu , stands in the west." The qu is the same as the 戵. Kongzi teaches, "The kui and qu correspond to ji .Zheng Xuan notes, ?The kui and qu in fact are three pointed mao."

Lei

In ancient times this was a military weapon used to defend walls. That is it rolled stones and rolled wood. Like a lei mu 檑木 or a lei gun . In chapter 34 of Shui Hu Zhuan [ Transmissions from the Water Margin], it says, "Also seen up above were lei mu 檑木, …… their strikes coming down on us from that percipitous place."



Jian
An ancient weapon, it resembles a bian . It is long but has no edges. It has four corners. The upper end is slightly small. The lower end has the handle. In the Tang Dynasty, General Qin Qiong was famous for using them in pairs. In chapter 20 of Ru Lin Wai Shi [History of the Foreign Confucian Community], it says, "Bian 鞭, jian zhua 挝, chui ; dao , qiang , jian , ji ; these all must be studied.


Dao

This is a well-known ancient weapon. It is also one of the weapons used in the martial arts. It is divided into, single dao, double dao, long handled dao, and three kinds of big dao.






Guan Dao
 

This is a type of long handled da dao. According to tradition, It was invented by Guan Yu, thus its name. Its form is like a moon lying down. On its face is engraved a green dragon. Therefore it is also called a ‘moon lying down’ dao or maybe ‘green dragon moon lying down’dao. In San Cai Tu Hui – Qi Yong [The Three Abilities Diagram Association – Weapons Usage], it says, "But Guan Wang’s moon lying down dao, the dao postures are big. There are 36 dao methods. When it meets military weapons, they all bend before it. Of all the dao, it is number one." Tradition says that Guan Yu used a da dao that weighed 80 pounds.

Mo Dao

At the end of the Sui Dynasty there was a peasant uprising the military leader Du Fuwei’s unit commander Yu Leng was good at using the double-edged saber that was 3 feet long and called a mo dao . In Xin Tang Shu ? Lie Zhuang Di Shi Qi [New Book of the Tang ? by Lie, Chapter 17], it says, ?One flourish and many people die, no enemy stands in front of it.



Gou

This is an ancient weapon. In Han Shu – Han Yanshou Zhuan [The Book of Han – by Han Yanshou], it says, "They cast dao , jian , gou , and tan ." Master Yan explains, "The gou is a military weapon. It is like a jian but it is curved.There are also the gou ji 钩戟, the gou ju , gou yuan , and gou lian 钩镰, etc. In Han Shu ? Chen Shengxiang Ji Zhuan Zan [ The Book of Han ? Record, and Eulogies by Chen Shengxiang], it says, "Humble hoes (chu) 鉏, harrows (you) , rakes (ji) , and jing 矜, no enemies with gou , ji or long sha 长铩."


Jian

The jian is an ancient weapon, spoken of as the "ruler of 100 blades." According to historical records, after the Neolithic times was the era of the bronze jian. During the Spring and Autumn era the cast jian made by Gan Jiang, Mo Xie and Ou Yezi had a great reputation. Ou Yezi in addition was asked by the King of Chu to cast three swords. These jian were named Long Quan (Long Yuan), Tai’a, and Gong Bu. Gan Jiang and Mo Xie were husband and wife. They cast their famous jian for King HeLu. They cut iron like mud. Their sharpness was unparalleled. The Shi Ji – Li Silie Zhuang [Historical Record by Li Silie] says, "Taking the jian Tai’a, riding his horse near and far."



In Chengxibeishanrong, Deqing County, Zhejiang, there is the Clear Sword Pool. According to tradition, at the end of the Spring and Autumn period, Gan Jiang and Mo Xie were summoned by the King of Wu. At this place they cast swords. The Sword Pool became a place for polishing swords. According to tradition, Gan Jiang finished casting the sword, his wife also decided to toss her scissors into the furnace. They used 300 male and female children to blow the bellows and make charcoal. They were also dipped in gold and iron, thereupon used to complete the sword. Yang was called Gan Jiang and Yin was called Mo Xie.


The Long Quan jian gets its name because it was cast in Long Quan. Long Quan is also called Long Yuan. It is about 45 km south of Siping County, Henan. The King of Chu asked Ou Yezi to cast a jian. He used Long Quan water to quench the jian. The jian was especially sharp. On land it could break oxen and horses. On water it could strike swans and geese. The enemy would be instantly cut. As a result, the Long Quan jian became one of the famous jian. About the time of the Han State, they needed to resist strong enemies. They started to use the Chu jian casting methods. They also made the famous saying, "Jian of Tang Xi". The ancient people had a saying, "The jian and ji of the Han soldiers were made by Tang Xi." They also said, "there is nothing as sharp as the metal of Tang Xi anywhere." Around this time, each and every official in the country had either a Tang Xi or Long Quan jian, and along with the He Bai jian, they have long enjoyed a good reputation. According to historical records, Ou Yezi also cast jian for the King of

Yue, "In former times, the King of Yue had one of the five precious jians that were famous everywhere." The five famous jian are: Zhan Lu, Sheng Ye, Ju Que, Chun Jun, and Yu Chang. In Yue Jue Shu [Book of the End of Yue], it says that all five famous jian were cast by Master Ou Yezi.



There is a sword pond below the Yunyan Temple Pagoda on Tiger Hill in Suzhou. People come there to experience its magnificent atmosphere, as if to place oneself amoung some absolutely great ponds. Near the end of the Spring and Autumn era, the king of Wu, He Lu’s tomb was placed under one of these ponds. Because HeLu during his lifetime loved swords, had the jian "Zhuang Zhe", "Yu Chang" and 3000 others buried with him when he died. This pond was used as a place to quench the jian after the smelting process, therefore it is called the "Jian Pond". An alternate story says that the first Qin Emperor and the Eastern Wu Emperor Sun Quan both dug into the rock searching for the jian, only neither ever found any. The place where they excavated became filled with water and became a pond, called the "Jian Pond."

The Zhuang Zi has a chaper titled "Shuo Jian" [speaking of jian]. Wu Yue Chun Qiu [Wu and Yue during the Spring and Autumn Period], a collection of histories has one called Jian Dao [The Way of the Sword]. The Xiang Baojian Dao [Appraising Baojian and Dao] has 20 volumes. The Jian Dao [The Way of the Sword] contains 38 chapters. These discuss insightful philosophical theory on the art of the jian. They are ancient people giving us our precious wealth.

Nu

A bow that uses a mechanism to release arrows. In Shi Ji – Sun Zilie Zhuang [Historical Record by Sun Zilie], it says, "The Qi army’s 1000 crossbows unleashed, they completely annialated the Wei Army of 10,000. The Wei general, Pang Xiaobei, was forced to commit suicide."

Shi

This is an arrow. This is a weapon used in ancient times. The Liyi – She Yi [Etiquet – The Meaning of Archery] records, "Kongzi shot in the Garden of Jue Xiang, there was a wall of spectators."

The Shuo Ru – Jiang Ben Pian [Speaking on Confucianism – Writings on Building a Foundation] records a conversation between Kongzi and Zi Lu [Kongzi’s student], an interesting wealth of philosophical theory. Zi Lu said, "The southern mountains have bamboo which is naturally straight. Cut them and shoot them. It will penetrate rhinoceros hide. What need is there of study?" Kongzi replied, "You forget to include the feathers, the arrowhead, and yet the temper of it. Don’t these determine how deep it penetrates?" Zi Lu exclaimed, "Honored Teacher!"


Hou

This is the name for an arrow. The Er Ya – Shi Qi [Elegance – Explaining Weapons] says, "Metal arrowheads and cut feathers describes the hou " The Zhou Li – Xia Guan – Si Gong Shi [The Book of Zhou Rites – Summer Palace – Care of Bows and Arrows] says, "Sha shi 杀矢 and hou shi 鍭矢 are used in all ranges of field hunting."

The Eighteen Weapons throughout the history of the Chinese people have been a general term for weapons. Its source is in the 18 Military Skills. Then the practice changed to the term "18 Kinds of Weapons". There are many different formulations, like dao, qiang , jian , ji ; fu , yue , gou , cha ; tang , kun , shuo , bang ; jian , bian , chui , zhua; guai zi 拐子, liu xing 流星, etc.

The 18 types of weapons, in general point to many martial skills. the inner content in each era is different. We begin to see the term "18 Types of Weapons" in various operas in the Yuan dynasty. In historical times the 18 Weapons included dao , qiang , jian , ji , kun , shuo , tang , fu , yi , yue , chan , ba , bian , jian , chui , cha , ge , and mao . There is also gong , nu , qiang , dao, jian , mao , dun , fu , yue , ji , bian , jian , zhua , shu , cha , ba tou 钯头, mian sheng taosuo 绵绳套索, bai ta 白打, are all spoken of as being part of the 18 weapons.



About the Author: Zhang Jian was born in 1925 in Pingyuan County, Shandong. He was a high level instructor at the Shandong Experimental Middle School. In 1945 he took charge of the sports department. He left the system in 1990. He currently holds the position of headmaster of the Jianying Trade School in Jinan. He holds a concurrent post as Deputy Chairman of the Jinan City Martial Arts Association. He comes from an old and well-known martial arts family. In his early years he studied with the martial arts teachers, Wang Chaolin, Zhao Xiangshan, and Hong Junsheng. He mastered many routines. He trained and developed numerous martial arts athletes. In Shandong, he is a famous sports educator.

Mr. Zhang Jian always loved traditional philosophy. His teacher followed the deceased Qin philosopher Mr. Liu Ziheng. He deeply got the profound secrets of the Zhou Yi as well as Lao [zi] and Zhang [zi]. In ancient time and in modern times, they are used to make a good foundation. Zhang Jian has produced many types of literature. He has authored Shi Lu Tan Tui [10 Roads of Springy Legs], Pao Chui [Cannon Fist], Liu Lu Duan Da [Six Roads of Short Boxing], Duan Gun [Short Staff], Shao Nian Quan [Youth Boxing], and Qi Lu Shuo Wu Shi Hua [Qi and Lu Speak about the History of Martial Arts]. He was the co-author of Jinan Tiyu Zhi [Jinan Athletic Record], Jinan Shi Zhi – Tiyu [Jinan City Record – Athletics], Shandong Sheng Zhi – Tiyu Zhi [Shandong Province Record – Athletic Record], Shandong Sheng Renwu Zhi – Tiyu Renwu [Shandong Province Famous People Record – Famous Athletes], etc.

Mr. Zhang Jian is approaching 80 years old. Hi thinking is still sharp. He still moves freely. He practices his skills continually. Jian especially likes to talk about traditional philosophy and anecdotes of the martial community. His own achievements are recorded in Zhonghua Tiyu Ming Ren Lu [Register of Famous Chinese Sportsmen].



Biography written by Qiao Hongru


Glossary

Hanzi

Pinyin


English Hanzi

Pinyin

English


ba

arrow head


mao

lance


bang

Cudgel, club


nu

crossbow


bian

whip


nu

crossbow


cha

trident


pa

rake

chan, yan

short mao


pi

mao or ji with a blade


chu

bang or chui


pi

arrow head


chui

mallet

pi, gan chang

light arrow head


dao

saber

qiang

spear


dui

mao

Qiu mao

Chief lance


Dun?

Shield?

sa

short mao

, 板斧

fu, banfu

Broad ax

sha, pi

large mao


ge

Dagger-ax

she, she, ta, shi

mao

弓矢

Gong shi

Bow and arrow

shu

Long spear


gou

Hooked swords

shuo

A long lance


hou

arrow

tan


huang

Three-edged sword

tan

long mao

鏸,惠

hui

Three-edged mao

tang

like a pitchfork


ji

halberd

ting

staff


jian

a bian with no edges

tuo

wooden cudgel


kui

three-pointed mao

Yi mao

Foreign lance


kun

staff

yin

long spear


lei

yue

Halberd with a crescent blade


lian

sickles

zhua

cane, whip