Liang Zhenpu

Liang Zhenpu (梁振蒲) (1863–1932) was a Chinese martial artist.

He was born in Beihaojia Village in Ji County in Hebei province on May 20, 1863 during the Qing dynasty under the reign of the Tongzhi Emperor, and died on August 13 at the age of 69 due to illness. He trained in Tan Tui and Biaozhang during his early childhood.[1] At the age of 13, he moved to Beijing to apprentice at his father's second hand clothing store. At this time he had the nickname "Second Hand Clothing Liang".[2] It was during this period in 1877 that he became a direct disciple of Baguazhang creator Dong Haichuan. He studied with Dong for about five years and was well liked by all of Dong's students. He had the fortune of not only learning from Dong Haichuan but also from Dong's other students including Cheng Tinghua, Yin Fu, Shi Jidong, and Liu Fengchun.[3] After the death of both parents at age 20, he opened a martial arts kwoon to make a living.[4]

In Ji County he defeated the four "Batian" gangs. In 1899, he saw that there were many injustices being committed by local criminals in the Beijing suburb of Majiapu (马家堡）and single-handedly fought over 200 gangsters armed only with a seven-section chain whip, killing 20 and wounding over 50.[2][5] He was subsequently imprisoned and sentenced to death. When the Eight-Nation Alliance army invaded Beijing to crush the Boxer Rebellion his prison was heavily damaged and he managed to escape.

Being the youngest of the disciples of Dong, he trained not only with Dong but also with both Yin Fu and Cheng Tinghua, and as a result his style of Baguazhang has some characteristics of both styles. Examples include the Ox Tongue Palm from Yin Style and wrestling movements from Cheng Style. His Baguazhang forms are taught in a circle with the exception of Liu Dekuan's 64 Linear Palms, unlike versions from earlier students (for example, Yin Style Baguazhang) which have many linear segments.[3]

Liang Zhenpu style Baguazhang is known to include the following elements:[3]

1. Ji Ben Gong (Basic Techniques)
2. Zhuang Fa (Standing Methods)
3. Bu Fa (Footwork)
4. Dan Cao Ba Shi (Eight Single Techniques)
5. Dui Lian Ba Shi (Partnered Exercises/Matched Eight Techniques)
6. Ding Shi Ba Zhang (Eight Mother Palms)
7. Ba Da Zhang aka Lao Ba Zhang (Old Eight Palms)
8. Zhi Tang 64 Zhang (64 Linear Palms)
9. Ba Mian Zhang (Eight Directions Palms)
   1. Big Broadsword
   2. Straight Sword
   3. Spear
   4. Rooster Knives
   5. Chicken Claw Knives
   6. Mandarin Duck Knives
   7. Crescent Moon Knives (aka Deer Horn Knives)
   8. Kun Lun Fan
   9. Yin Yang Pen Brush
   10. Steel "Yo-Yo" Meteors
   11. Seven Star Rod
   12. Wind and Fire Rings
10. Lian Huan Zhang (Swimming Body Chain Linking Form)
11. Long Xing Zhang (Dragon Form Palm)
12. Qishier Qinna (72 grasps and seizes, grappling technique)
13. Long and Short Weapons

One of Liang's most famous students was Li Ziming (1903–1993) who eventually became head of the Beijing Baguazhang Research Association and spread Liang's style around the world. Liang Zhenpu is the only student of Dong Haichuan to be buried next to his tomb.[3]