BajiQuan

[BoarSpear]

My name's Eric, I'm 21, from America, and I live and work in China, in Shandong Province. I'll be here a while.

Welcome aboard.

Now, I wish I could ask the locals, but at the moment my Chinese is extremely poor, and the ones I do manage to communicate with know nothing or next to it. Something I keep hearing is that Bajiquan is practised by very few people. And those that DO know, well, even if their conversational English is good, there knowledge of Wushu is not usually wholly and completely transferable.

Sounds like you're going to need to concentrate on learning the language and culture of the people you hope to learn from. If you can't communicate enough to find a teacher you certainly won't be able to communicate well enough to learn an art that relies on oral instruction.

I have been looking for a Martial Art that was right for me, and I am pretty much convinced with what I've seen and read. Of course experience and time will be the only true tell, but before I decide who to learn from, I have to (want to) understand what my options are...something I am currently mixed up with.

I've read ALL the pages I could (yes, i've read bajimen...), but all the information is very generalized and I am looking for a bit of detail and history.

I understand that Bajiquan is an Art Form, and in that Art Form there are different styles and families. I've heard of the Wu, Huo, and Liu families (and many listed on Bajimen with no actual details about the different styles).

I really want to know, if anyone does:

No two lineages or styles will tell the same story.

1) What are all the different styles/families/branches/etc of Bajiquan existing in and outside of China today?

No one knows but you're getting hung up on details that have nothing to do with learning the art, the only thing that matters is what's available to you where you are.

2) Where are they from and where are they mostly practised today?

Again this information would take a BOOK to answer and it's irrelevant to someone who doesn't even have a teacher in the style to begin with.

3) What similarities do they share and what makes them different?

They all strike with the same weapons and follow the same principles and theories. What sets them apart is the size, build, attitude and personality and experience of the teacher, because those things will decide which techniques that lineage emphasizes. The techniques a lineage prefers will decide their timing and energy release. In other words until you know one style, its impossible to understand the differences, and once you know one style the similarities will become apparent (along with the differences).

4) What are the most traditional of these styles? And what's your definition of traditional?

These are the questions of a Scholar, not someone who is trying to grasp the art because every lineage will answer that question differently

5) The Forms: It's my understanding that there are 20 (?) standard forms that are shared by all branches of Bajiquan...is this accurate? If so, what are they all?

No, it's not accurate. You're kidding right?

Also, I've heard people from the Liu family style say in their history of Baji that Wu Zhong had no descendants, and yet I've also heard many others say the the man by the name of Wu Lian Zhi in Mencun, Hebei (Baji's birthplace, apparently) who is the head of the Wu Family Style, is Wu Zhong lineage (in fact i've even seen a provided family tree of it)...Does anyone know for sure?

Lineage wars are impossible to verify and useless to the practitioner, if the teacher has something worthwhile study with him, in the martial arts it's what you can do that matters not pieces of paper or spoken words. Look, listen, FEEL, decide.

I hope that any of you might be able to assist my curiosity...I know I ask a lot...and I'm sure I'll have more questions, too...but I thought that the Martial Arts Forums would be the best place for this post.

All the books on the planet wouldn't contain the info you've requested and none of it is applicable to the usage or learning of the art. It seems like you're researching to write a book instead of asking the questions someone wanting to find a teacher should be asking. Unless you're looking to sell your skills to others lineage should be the last thing on your mind, and anyone with any real understanding of the CMA's knows no two schools lineage will agree so it's all pointless anyway, except to gullible people who can be sold a name. Lineage is like a paint job on a car, its nice to have a pretty one but it's far more important that the car works than how many people it will impress, look for the fruit not the flower.

Take a look at these clips, all are legitimate Baji and all of them will have a different lineage, but one isn't better than another unless you can learn one and not the other, then the one you can learn is best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYikolf7udw&mode=related&search=bajiquan

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNYUa2cxGjM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA9a977HzFg&mode=related&search=

[Baji87]

My name's Eric, I'm 21, from America, and I live and work in China, in Shandong Province. I'll be here a while.

Now, I wish I could ask the locals, but at the moment my Chinese is extremely poor, and the ones I do manage to communicate with know nothing or next to it. Something I keep hearing is that Bajiquan is practised by very few people. And those that DO know, well, even if their conversational English is good, there knowledge of Wushu is not usually wholly and completely transferable. And yes, I am working on improving my Chinese as well.

I have been looking for a Martial Art that was right for me, and I am pretty much convinced with what I've seen and read. Of course experience and time will be the only true tell, but before I decide who to learn from, I have to (want to) understand what my options are...something I am currently mixed up with.

I've read ALL the pages I could (yes, i've read bajimen...), but all the information is very generalized and I am looking for a bit of detail and history.

I understand that Bajiquan is an Art Form, and in that Art Form there are different styles and families. I've heard of the Wu, Huo, and Liu families (and many listed on Bajimen with no actual details about the different styles).

I really want to know, if anyone does:

1) What are all the different styles/families/branches/etc of Bajiquan existing in and outside of China today?

2) Where are they from and where are they mostly practised today?

3) What similarities do they share and what makes them different?

4) What are the most traditional of these styles? And what's your definition of traditional?

5) The Forms: It's my understanding that there are 20 (?) standard forms that are shared by all branches of Bajiquan...is this accurate? If so, what are they all?

Also, I've heard people from the Liu family style say in their history of Baji that Wu Zhong had no descendants, and yet I've also heard many others say the the man by the name of Wu Lian Zhi in Mencun, Hebei (Baji's birthplace, apparently) who is the head of the Wu Family Style, is Wu Zhong lineage (in fact i've even seen a provided family tree of it)...Does anyone know for sure?

I hope that any of you might be able to assist my curiosity...I know I ask a lot...and I'm sure I'll have more questions, too...but I thought that the Martial Arts Forums would be the best place for this post.

Thanks,

Eric