and throwing techniques and also how to
respond to an opponent. Pole training
and weighted training teach power trans-
fer and condition the body. Other tech-
niques are used to train the development
and release of applied internal power
(jing). As the training continues, the stu-
dent may learn other forms, such as
swimming-body baguazhang, as well as
weapon techniques. The range of
baguazhang forms is great: Thirteen
empty-handed forms, five two-person
forms, and sets for the standard Chinese
weapons exist.
When fighting, the baguazhang
practitioner twists and weaves about his
opponents, entrapping limbs and strik-
ing to vital points. Drills exist to train
for multiple enemies that are similar to
Hebei xingyi’s Nine Palace Boxing, and
it is claimed baguazhang allows one to
fight eight opponents simultaneously.
The elusive and entrapping nature of this style has given rise to the anal-
ogy that baguazhang is like a wire ball, where attacks are trapped and
twisted around.
While baguazhang uses the standard Chinese arsenal of jian(two-
edged sword), dao (broadsword or cutlass), qiang(spear), gun(staff), dao
(long saber), gou(hook sword), double knives, and guai(crutch), it also has
two specialized weapons: a metal ring like a hoop and the lu jiao dao (deer
hook sword). This latter weapon, unique to baguazhang styles, looks like
two crescents interlocked to create a weapon with points. Used in pairs, the
swords are close-quarter weapons designed to trap and destroy the enemy.
Kevin Menard
See alsoXingyiquan (Hsing I Ch’uan)
References
Bracy, John, and Xing-Han Liu. 1998. Ba Gua: Hidden Knowledge in the
Taoist Internal Martial Art.Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books.
Crandall, Joseph. 1994–1996. Classical Ba Qua Zhang. 6 vols. Pinole, CA:
Smiling Tiger Martial Arts.
Hsieh, Douglas H. 1983. Pa Kua Chuan for Self Defense.Honolulu, HI:
McLisa Publications.
Johnson, Jerry. 1994. The Essence of Internal Martial Arts.2 vols. Pacific
Grove, CA: Ching Lung Martial Arts Association.Baguazhang (Pa Kua Ch’uan) 25When fighting,
baguazhang
practitioners twist
and weave about
their opponents,
emphasizing the use
of the open hand in
preference to the
closed fist. Two men
demonstrate a throw
using this distinctive
technique at the
Shen Wu Academy
of Martial Arts in
Garden Grove,
California. (Courtesy
of Tim Cartmell)