Meihuaquan (Plum Blossom Boxing)
01 · Historical Records
Liangshan plum blossom boxing was brought to Liangshan by Wang Fasheng, the tenth-generation ancestor of plum blossom boxing, together with his grandson and grandson's son, during the Jiaqing reign of the Qing dynasty. The Wang family took as its root the five-step training methods of traditional plum blossom boxing — posture frames, complete sets, twisting fist, weapons and internal skill — and further absorbed the fist and weapon routines recorded in Water Margin for the outlaws of Liangshan, so that a school distinct in its own right gradually took shape. Since that time the art has been centred on Liangshan and carried on from master to disciple through the market towns and villages along both banks of the Yellow River and the Grand Canal, and it has now reached the ninth generation.
02 · Core Techniques & Process
Liangshan plum blossom boxing is a martial arts school formed during the Jiaqing reign of the Qing dynasty by Wang Fasheng, the tenth-generation ancestor of traditional Chinese plum blossom boxing, together with his grandson and grandson's son, by incorporating the martial arts of the outlaws of Liangshan. Liangshan plum blossom boxing has a complete set of martial techniques and a systematic theoretical framework. Plum blossom stake steps are divided into the five postures "great, smooth, stubborn, small, defeat". The combat techniques are composed of fists, palms and leg methods, the chief ones being to carry, parry and return the blow, to substitute the pillar for the column, and to circle the arm in a smashing blow; the locks and holds include the "six master holds" and the "seventy-two ingenious holds". Its style of performance is distinctive, insisting on symmetry between left and right, the combining of movement and stillness, the union of hardness and softness, training of both inside and outside, flexible and manifold change, and practical application in combat. When a disciple is well versed in the civil principles or is highly skilled in martial arts, he may pass them on to his master and elders. This rule and discipline of the school is the foundation on which Liangshan plum blossom boxing prospers. Liangshan plum blossom boxing, inheriting the training methods of traditional plum blossom boxing and merging in the martial culture of Water Margin, develops and sublimates traditional plum blossom boxing, and is an important part of traditional Chinese martial arts culture.
The five stake forms
Its stake steps fall into five postures - big, following, twisted, small and defeated - which underpin all technique.
Signature striking methods
Its striking repertoire includes deflecting counters, beam-swapping feints and circling arm strikes, valued for practical application.
Six general locks and seventy-two clever locks
Its grappling is codified as six general locks and seventy-two clever locks, divided into framework and variation techniques.
Seventy-two internal routines and eighteen Shuihu sets
Beyond the five traditional trainings it added seventy-two internal routines and eighteen weapon and boxing sets drawn from Shuihu lore.
The disciple who teaches the master
A distinctive rule allows a disciple who surpasses his teacher in learning or skill to instruct the master and elders.
03 · Regional Records & Related Items
That whoever is capable becomes the teacher is the characteristic feature that distinguishes it from other styles of boxing; there is a saying that "Liangshan plum blossom boxing, pearls roll back the curtain, the disciple turns it over and hands it back to the master".
Other submitting regions for the same item: Xingtaimeihua Boxing · Meihuaquan (Plum Blossom Boxing).
04 · Cultural Value & Contemporary Safeguarding
It has a history of more than 200 years to the present, with Shandong as its core region of transmission; it is found throughout more than 20 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, including Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Shaanxi, Hubei and Jiangsu, and has spread far abroad to more than 20 countries and regions. While transmitting the five basic training methods of traditional plum blossom boxing — posture frames, complete sets, twisting fist, weapons and internal skill — it has also innovated 72 forms of internal-family boxing and 18 sets of fist and weapon routines that blend with the martial arts of the outlaws of Liangshan. Liangshan plum blossom boxing is transmitted mainly by leading disciples through the master's example and by oral instruction; its line of succession is clearly recorded and has now reached the ninth generation. Nourished and sustained by the Yellow River culture, the Grand Canal culture, Taoist culture and the Qilu culture, it esteems loyalty, righteousness and trustworthiness, ritual and benevolence, and generosity in helping others. It builds the body and aids health preservation, and it also promotes good moral qualities and refines the character, so it has considerable historical, cultural and social value.
05 · Associated Representative Bearers
Representative bearers recorded under this item, organized by national nomination batch:
- Zhang Xiling 01-0045
- Liyuzuo 01-0046
06 · Authoritative Sources & Bibliography
Sources
China Intangible Cultural Heritage Network (ihchina.cn)
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