Meihuaquan (; literally "plum-blossom Fist") is a common term used to name styles or exercise sets of kung fu:
There are many Meihuaquan that have same origins: Ganzhi Wushi Meihuazhuang, Baijiazhi Meihuaquan, Luodi Meihuaquan, Wuzi Meihuaquan, Leijia Meihuaquan, etc. There are various traditions regarding the foundation of this style; it is said that Meihuaquan has no single founder.
Ganzhi wushi meihuazhuang (, Plum-blossom Pillars of Stems and Branches) is a branch of Meihuaquan, shortened to Meihuazhuang (Plum-blossom Pillars). Ganzhi is a contraction of Tiangan Dizhi, or more fully Tiangan Dizhi Wushi Meihuazhuang. The eighth-generation master Zhang Congfu created a new kind of practise called Xiaojia (Little Frame) as opposed to the older style known as Dajia (Big Frame).
Meihuazhuang is divided into two parts: Wenchang (literary) encompasses theory; Wuchang (martial) encompasses techniques such as Jiazi (frame), Shoutao (sparring exercise to teach combat skills), Chengquan (combat choreography), Yingquan (combat), and Gongquan and Ningquan (moving in war).
Jiazi is characterized by five static positions (Wushi: , five patterns; or , five postures) intermixed with dynamic motion (Xingbu, ), and consisting of light rapid footwork and large flowing movements. With a simple expansive posture and built-in poise, Meihuaquan releases and strengthens the flow of energy to increase concentration of the mind. The basic training methods of Meihuaquan are simple, strong, relaxed, and highly adaptable.
Baijiazhi Meihuaquan (, Bai-family Branch of Plum-blossom Boxing) is a Meihuaquan practised in the southwest part of Shandong Province. It was founded by Bai Jindou (, Pai Chin-tou, in Wade-Giles), a ninth generation master of Plum Blossom Boxing. In Taiwan this school is called Beipai Shaolin Meihuaquan (, Plum Blossom Boxing of Shaolin Northern Faction) or Meihuamen(, Plum Blossom School). Jiazi of this school are referred to as Meihuaquan Laojia (Old Frame of Plum Blossom Boxing). While studying this set, disciples often train in pairsâÂÂduida (hit in pair) and duilian (train in pair)âÂÂwith and without weapons. At the basic level, duida are only for two opponents and of two kinds: hand-and-kick techniques, or falling techniques. At intermediate level, disciples practise combat against two to five people. At the advanced level, they may study war and Meihua Zhen Gong Fang (, Plum Blossom's Arrays).
Leijia Meihuaquan () is a branch of Meihuaquan that derives its name from having been practiced near Leijiacun village and spreading to the surrounding area. This branch is clearly related to the Ganzhi Wushi Meihuazhuang, as it identifies in its lineage Zhang Sansheng (or Zhang Zhenshu (), a second generation master). This type of Meihuaquan differs from the Ganzhi Wushi Meihuazhuang and the Baijiazhi in having only four postures rather than the usual five: dashi, aoshi, xiaoshi, and baishi. Dashi is roughly identical to the shunshi of the other branches. The attitude of the hands during the basic form (Jiazi) is characterised by the open palm.
Wuzi Meihuaquan () is a shortened form of Sun Wuzi Chuanxin Meihuaquan (, Plum Blossom Boxing Piercing the Heart of Sun Wuzi), also called Sun Wuzi Meihuaquan (Ã¥ÂÂæ¦åÂÂ梠è±æ³), Chuanxin Meihuaquan (ç©¿å¿Â梠è±æ³), or Zhongxin Meihuaquan (ä¸Âå¿Â梠è±æ³). Disciples of this school believe it was founded by Sun Zi, also known as Sun Wuzi. A famous master of this branch is Kou Yunxing (å¯Âè¿Âå ´). The sets of Wuzi Meihuaquan are Shilu Tantui (Ã¥ÂÂäºÂ路弹蠿); Da Meihuaquan er lu e san lu (); Xiao Meihuaquan er lu (å°Â梠è±æ³äºÂè·¯); Meihuadao (梠è±åÂÂ); Meihua longxingjian (梠è±é¾Âå½¢åÂÂ); and Meihua qiang (梠è±æª).
Luodi Meihuaquan (è½å°梠è±æ³, Plum-blossom Boxing on Ground) is a generic name for Meihuaquan, but can indicate a branch that was taught by Li Zhenting (æÂÂæ¯äºÂ) in Peixian. The core of this system is Luodi Meihuaquan Bajiao (è½å°梠è±æ³堫è§Â, Eight Angles of Plum Blossom Boxing on Ground).
Meihua Changquan (梠è±é¿æ³) is the name given to a branch of Meihuaquan taught on the island of Taiwan by Han Qingtang, a branch that is part of a wider system that includes other boxing styles of northern China. Its followers also call it Changquan or Beishaolin. Han Qingtang learned this Meihuaquan in Jimo from Sun Maolin (å«èÂÂæÂÂ) and Jiang Benhe (å§Âæ¬河), two masters originally from Liangshan. This Meihua boxing has three forms: Maifuquan (Ã¥ÂÂä¼Âæ³), Shizitang (Ã¥ÂÂÃ¥ÂÂè¶Â), and Taizu Changquan (太ç¥Âé¿æ³). They also taught a duilian named Xiaowushou (å°ÂäºÂæÂÂ).
Shangcheng Meihuaquan (ä¸Âä¹Â梠è±æ³, Plum-blossom Boxing of Optimal Quality) is a branch of Meihuaquan taught in Fujian by Wang Jincheng (çÂÂéÂÂÃ¥ÂÂ) to his son Wang Ding (çÂÂé¼Â, 1882âÂÂ1985).
Among the several styles analyzed by Wang Xiangzhai in a well-known interview is the style of Meihuaquan that is called Wushizhuang (äºÂå¼Âæ¡©, Five-figures Pole), which tradition says was taught in Henan and Sichuan. Wang Xiangzhai had contact with this style during his travels through China, in 1928 making friends with Liu Pixian, a master of the twelfth generation of Meihuaquan, with whom Wang Xiangzhai compared methods. After this experience Liu Pixian created a new style to which he gave the name Shaomoquan (å°Âæ©æ³).
Training in Meihuaquan includes the use of eighteen types of traditional weapons, some of which are rarely seen. This is the list of weapons in Baijiazhi Meihuaquan in Taiwan: dandao (å®åÂÂ), Qimeigun (é½ÂçÂÂæ£Â), qiang (æ§Â, spear), shuangdao (éÂÂÃ¥ÂÂ, double sabre), Xiao shao gun (å°Âå¨æ£Â), jian (Ã¥ÂÂ), Da shao gun (大å¨æ£Â), jiujie gangbian (ä¹Âç¯Âé¼éÂÂ, see jiujiebian), liuxingchui (æµÂæÂÂéÂÂ, meteor hammer), sanjiegun (ä¸Âç¯Âæ£Â), Meihua Guai (梠è±æÂÂ), Bishou (Ã¥ÂÂæÂÂ), dadao (大åÂÂ, alebard). The first book on rarely-seen weapons is by Genyuan (æ ¹æºÂ):
The origins of the style are lost in legend. It is said that when Zhang Sansheng taught in public, there had been 100 generations of teachers before him.
Other sources claim an origin before the Han dynasty, from Shaolinquan:
Some Meihuaquan disciples believe that there were 100 generations of masters before the 20 who came after the Ming dynasty. During the Qing dynasty people who practiced this style were involved in various uprisings, like Wang Lun in 1774, Feng Keshan in 1814, and Zhao Sanduo in the 1900 Boxer Uprising. (Meihuaquan was particularly linked with the early phases of the Boxer Uprising.) Another practitioner, Yang Bing, was an Imperial Palace guard:
Now we know that Yang Bing is a fifth-generation master born in Neihuangxian, not in Huaxian.
About Feng Keshan and Meihuaquan:
Unfortunately, there aren't other sources to confirm that the style was attributed to Wu Mei. Feng Keshan is of the eighth generation. The legend of Wu Mei came from another style named Wumeihuaquan, or Wumeipai, and is found in some accounts of Yongchunquan, a martial art not practiced by Feng Keshan, and different from Meihuaquan.
Meishanquan (梠山æ³, Plum Mountain Boxing), also known as Meihuaquan, is a style created during the Song dynasty in Meishan county of Hunan. It has 77 sets.
A style named Meihuaquan was spread in Hunan during the period of Guanxu (å Â绪, 1875âÂÂ1908), by the master Wan Fuzi (ä¸Âç¦ÂÃ¥ÂÂ), who learned it in Sichuan.
Information on Emei Meihuaquan (峨åµÂ梠è±æ³, Plum-blossom boxing of the Emei mountain) is scanty. It is said that Zhou Beitao (å¨åÂÂæ¶Â) created a set with this name, made up of over 100 figures, after a long meditation with his forehead touching Meihua plants. The book Zhongguo Wushu Renmin Cidian (ä¸Âå½æ¦æ¯人åÂÂè¾Âå ¸) instead alleges that Zhou would have learned Meihuaquan, and Taijiquan, from Zhang Yimin (å¼ éÂÂæ°Â), in 1930. There are various styles of Meihuaquan from Sichuan.
The members of the De'ang (å¾·æÂÂæÂÂ), of Yunnan and the area south of Sichuan, have practiced Meihuaquan since the Ming dynasty. Plum-blossom Boxing figured in the White Lotus Rebellion, between 1794 and 1805, in Sichuan, Shaanxi, Henan and Hubei, the revolt also known as Chuanchu Bailianjiao Qi Yi (å·Âæ¥Âç½è²æÂÂèµ·ä¹Â, Rebellion of schism of the White Lotus in Sichuan and Hubei) or Chuanchu Jiao Luan (å·Âæ¥ÂæÂÂä¹±, Chaotic Schism of the Sichuan and the Hubei).
Meihua Jie Quan (梠è±æ·æ³, Plum-blossom Fast Boxing) is a style of Chinese martial arts derived from the Shaolin School. Han Kuisheng (é©æ§çÂÂ), a man of Shandong, practiced this boxing and taught it to Fu Xiushan (å ç§Âå±±) from Yucheng (禹åÂÂ). Fu has published a book titled Jiequan Tushuo (æ·æ³å¾说) about the style. Meihua Jie Quan uses the fists as in Xingyiquan, palm blows as in Baguazhang, and has figures as in Yunu Chuansuo (çÂÂ女穿æ¢Â) and Danbian (Ã¥ÂÂéÂÂ), an identical to Taijiquan. It has five basic figures (Wushi): Pi (Ã¥ÂÂ), Tiao (æÂÂ), Shan (éª), Chong (å²), and Xie (æÂÂ). Hand strikes are divided into high, medium, and low types, with like types for agility. The complete form is made up of 48 figures, comprising the start and end positions, according to 12-character formulas (Ã¥ÂÂäºÂÃ¥ÂÂè¯Â, Shier zi jue).
Shunshimen (顺å¼Âé¨) is a composite style with the following forms belonging to Meihuaquan: Meihuaquan (梠è±æ³), Chuanlinzhang (ç©¿æÂÂæÂÂ), Bafangzhang (å «æ¹æÂÂ), Meihua Sanshou Ershi Shi (梠è±æ£æÂÂäºÂÃ¥ÂÂå¼Â), Meihuaqiang (梠è±æª), and Wuhu qunyang gun (äºÂèÂÂ群ç¾Âæ£Â).
Wumeiquan (äºÂæÂÂæ³, Boxing of Wumei) or Wumeipai (School of Wumei) is a style of Chinese martial arts which may be put in the Nanquan class. Some write Wumeiquan with other ideograms (e.g. äºÂ梠æ³, Five-plum Boxing); in Cantonese it is Ng Mui Kuen. In the Wumeiquan Quanpu (äºÂ梠æ³æ³谱) it is said that the style has been handed down from a Buddhist nun (å°¼å§Â) whose religious name was Wu Mei (äºÂ梠). In other traditions Wu Mei was a Taoist nun (Daogu, éÂÂå§Â). She transmitted the style to Huang Baoshan (é»Âå®ÂÃ¥ÂÂ; also known as Huang Baolin, é»Âå®ÂæÂÂ)âÂÂof the city of Lufengxiang (åºÂ丰乡), of Shanghangxian (ä¸ÂæÂÂå¿), in Fujian provinceâÂÂwho handed it on in turn to Gong Rongguang (é¾Âè£ç Â) of Lanxixiang (堰溪乡), also in Fujian. Gradually the style spread through Fujian and Guangdong. The Annals of the County of Shanghang (ä¸ÂæÂÂå¿å¿Â, Shanghang Xianzhi) tell that, at the end of the Qing dynasty, Wumeiquan (äºÂ梠æ³), which is the orthodox Shaolin boxing, was diffused throughout the districts of Lanxi (èÂÂ溪), Huangtan (é»Âæ½Â), Taiba (太æÂÂ), and the same Shanghang. These are some sequences of hand-fighting taught in New York: Tianguangzhang (天å ÂæÂÂ), Wuxingquan (äºÂè¡Âæ³), and Shier Dizhi (Ã¥ÂÂäºÂå°æ¯). This style is often practiced "free form", giving wide latitude to the free application of the movements. These are the weapons used in the school of Shanghang Sanchiba (ä¸Â齿èÂÂ): gou lian qiang (é©é°æª); qinglongdao (éÂÂé¾ÂÃ¥ÂÂ); mupa (æ¨èÂÂ); dandao (Ã¥ÂÂÃ¥ÂÂ); shuangdao (Ã¥ÂÂÃ¥ÂÂ); jian (Ã¥ÂÂ); fu (æ§); shuang tongchui (Ã¥ÂÂéÂÂé¤); tiechi (éÂÂå°º); hutoupai (èÂÂ头çÂÂ); and bandeng (æ¿å³).
Many styles have sets named Plum-blossom Boxing within their programs, including Cailifo, Tanglangquan, Hongdong Tongbeiquan, Songshan Shaolinquan, and Hongjiaquan.
There are two sets named Shaolin meihuaquan (å°ÂæÂÂ梠è±æ³) in Songshan Shaolinquan: Xiao Meihuaquan (Little Plum-blossom Fist) and Da Meihuaquan (Big Plum-blossom Fist). Xiao Meihuaquan is also known as Shaolin Ditang Meihuaquan. It is said that these sets were created by Jinnaluo Wang (ç´§é£ç½ÂçÂÂ).
In Southern Shaolin style Nam Pai Chuan (Ã¥ÂÂÃ¥ÂÂæ³), Yi Zhi Mei Quan (ä¸ÂæÂÂ梠æ³) or Single Plum Blossom Fist is a popular form created by Shi Gao Can.
In Cailifo (è¡æÂÂä½Â, Choyleefut) is Little Plum-blossom Boxing (å°Â梠è±æ³), a famous set with this name.
Hongjia Meihuaquan (洪家梠è±æ³, Plum-blossom Fist of Hong Family) is a set of Hongjiaquan, better known as Mui Fa Kuen in Cantonese. Its complete name is Shizi Meihuaquan (Ã¥ÂÂÃ¥ÂÂ梠è±æ³, Crossing Plum-blossom Fist; in Cantonese, Sap Ji Mui Fa Kuen).
Tanglangquan has varied connections with the Meihuaquan name. One of the main branches of the style is called Meihua Tanglangquan, and another Taiji Meihua Tanglangquan. Some forms are called Meihua, and in particular one is known as Meihuaquan. Others are Meihualu (梠è±路) and Meihuashou (梠è±æÂÂ). Three sets together are "three bloomed hands". Jiang Hualong (å§ÂÃ¥ÂÂé¾Â), founder of the branch Babu Tanglangquan, would have practiced Meihuaquan before beginning to study Praying Mantis boxing.
In Chaquan there is a taolu (form) called Meihuaquan and the Seventh Way of the Chaquan (ä¸Âè·¯æÂ¥æ³).
Another Seventh Way (Qilu, ä¸Âè·¯) is the Meihuaquan of Bei Shaolin of Gu Ruzhang, whose form and style probably is derived from Chaquan.
Qianhou Meihuaquan (Ã¥ÂÂÃ¥ÂÂ梠è±æ³) is the name of a sequence of Liuhequan.
Qi School (äºÂé¨, qÃÂmén) contains a form called Meihuaquan, which is a method of preparation for all incoming boxing students in the school.