Nanquan (martial art)

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For other uses, see Nanquan.
Nanquan
南拳
Also known asSouthern Fist
FocusStriking, weapons training
Country of originChina
CreatorNo single creator, attirubted to either:
Famous practitionersYu Dayou,[1] Qi Jiguang,[a][1] Huang Junhua, Phạm Quốc Khánh, Willy Wang (wushu), Angie Tsang
ParenthoodShaolin Kung Fu
Descendant arts
Olympic sportWushu (sport)
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Nanquan[b] refers to a classification of Chinese martial arts that originated south of the Yangtze River of China around late Ming dynasty and early Qing dynasty.

The southern styles of Chinese martial arts are characterized by emphasis on "short hitting" and the arm movement, predominantly in southern styles such as Hung Kuen, Choi Lei Fut, Hak Fu Mun, Wuzuquan, Wing Chun, and so on.[2]

History and development of Southern Kung Fu[]

Unarmed fighting instructions as depicted in Qi Jiguang's Jixiao Xinshu would form basis of Nanquan.

During the Ming Dynasty, there were Wokou (Japanese pirates) active at the coast of China. At one point, Generals Qi Jiguang and Yu Dayou were stationed in Fuqing and Putian in the Central Fujian. The local monks at those areas defended themselves using iron rods to repel the pirates. Yu Dayou and Qi Jiguang would teach martial arts to the local armies and civilians to fight against the pirates, with General Qi teaching the use of javelins, knives and other weaponry.[3][4][additional citation(s) needed] The fourteenth chapter of General Qi's Jixiao Xinshu includes an modified version of the 32nd posture of the Taizu Changquan. After Qi Jiguang left, the development of the unarmed fighting method was left for the soldiers.[3]

During period of Koxinga, the Hongmen sent five senior generals to various parts of southern China to spread these techniques. They went to establish monasteries and to recruit people with anti-Qing sentiment, and to teach them martial arts and use of weapons. As time went on, these styles would splinter and develop into various individual styles.[citation needed]

In the fifth year of rule of Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty, the Qing army occupied central Fujian and Minnan region and would massacre Southern Ming supporters in Putian, Fuqing and Yongchun County. Therefore, the "Hongmen martial arts" travelled in the central Fujian. During the First Opium War, these martial arts would be known as Hung Kuen style and during the Red Turban Rebellion (1854–1856), these styles were called Yongchunquan[c] After the defeat of in Da Cheng Rebellion, it was simply referred to as Shaolinquan by the Hongmen associates. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, these martial arts became known as Nanquan.[citation needed]

Southern Shaolin Monastery[]

Further information: Southern Shaolin Monastery

The Southern Shaolin Monastery is considered a significant development ground of Shaolin Wushu in Southern China. The Tang Dynasty branched from the Shaolin Temple of Mount Song to Fujian. General Qi Jiguang of the Ming Dynasty would later import Taizu Changquan and other martial arts to the region.[citation needed]

The Concept of Burning (South) Shaolin Temple[]

The legend about the burning (southern) Shaolin Temple was recorded in a conference catalogue of the Guangzhou Hongmen Society meeting that took place in the late Qing Dynasty. It is believed that it was written based on the history of the time and the information acquired by the Hongmen at the end of the Ming Dynasty.[citation needed]

Contemporary Wushu Nanquan[]

The contemporary Wushu event Nanquan is a modern style created in 1960[5] derived from martial arts derived in the Chinese provinces south of the Yangtze River and predominantly those styles popular in Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian and Zhejiang.[1] The basis of contemporary Nánquán hail primarily from traditional Cantonese family styles of 洪 (Hung), 李 (Lei), 劉 (Lau), 莫 (Mok) and 蔡 (Choi) along with their more contemporary Kung Fu variants of Choi Lei Fut, Hung Ga and Wing Chun.[5]

Contemporary Nanquan features vigorous, athletic movements with very stable, low stances, extensive hand techniques and a vocal articulation called fasheng ("release shout") which is the predecessor of the Japanese and Korean martial arts kiai. Power is driven from sharp waist movement with special emphasis on fast stance transition to generate power and speed in the arms. Signature hand techniques of Nanquan are the consecutive downward strikes of the left and right fist called Gua Gai Quan (Gwa Kup Kuen; 挂盖拳),[6] and consecutive upper cut while driving forward called Paoquan (Pow Kuen; 抛拳). There are relatively few kicks in Nanquan although the Tengkong Pantui Cepu (腾空盘腿度侧扑; "flying cross legs kick and land on the side") and Li Yu Da Ting (鲤鱼打挺直立; carp skip-up) are very common in advanced Nanquan routines. Nanquan also has its own contemporary weapons - the Southern Broadsword (Nandao; 南刀) and Southern Staff (Nangun; 南棍),[7] which were included in the International Wushu competition in 1999.

In 2003, the International Wushu Federation (IWUF) changed the rules of contemporary Nanquan to make jumping techniques (难度) mandatory in Nanquan routines. Jump kicks spinning in mid-air between 360 and 720 degrees before touching the ground are now used in all Nanquan forms along with Stationary Back Flip (原地后空翻) and Single Step Back Tuck (单跳后空翻) for advanced competitors.

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ He is a Northern Shaolin Kung Fu (Taizu Changquan) practitioner who contributed to the development of the southern styles.
  2. ^ (Chinese: 南拳; pinyin: Nán quán; lit. 'southern fist', or Chinese: 南派; pinyin: Nán pài; lit. 'southern school')
  3. ^ Possibly specifically referring to either Yong Chun White Crane, Wing Chun or Weng Chun.

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Guangxi Wang (2012). Chinese Kung Fu. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-05-2118-664-3.
  2. ^ Thomas A. Green & Joseph R. Svinth (2010). Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-15-9884-244-9. Two volumes.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Guangxi Wang (2012). Chinese Kung Fu. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-05-2118-664-3.
  4. ^ From Jixiao Xinshu.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Sensei/Renshi Nathan Chlumsky (2015). Inside Kungfu: Chinese Martial Arts Encyclopedia. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-13-2911-942-0.
  6. ^ "Wushu Nanquan Application - Guagaiquan". UMBC Wushu. 5 March 2015. Retrieved 2016-10-09.
  7. ^ DK (2013). The Sports Book. Dorling Kindersley Ltd. ISBN 978-14-0935-033-0.
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