Hi, I asked this question in the kung fu forum and was sent here. Iw as wondering, does anyone have any information they could give me on BaJi style? Im looking for any general information. Can anyone help? Thanks
Baji Ch'uan Hi TeJitsuDo, Kaimen BaJi Ch'uan (roughly translated "Open Door Eight Power Fist"!) is a system which was/is used by the Chinese Premieres bodyguards. It links between external and internal systems. I trained in it briefly with Ji Jeng Cheng of Beijing University when he was teaching in the UK in the Eighties. The Form that was taught would shift between very soft, flowing and expansive movements to small and very explosive. To give an example, the arms would reach out and gracefully sweep from the right side of the body across to the left; then they would pull in to the left side in a hard pulling motion. The link bewteen say, Karate and T'ai Chi Ch'uan was obvious when the Form was practiced. Bill
Baji has a lot of different styles, and baji is an art, not the style! Kaimen is simply a style of the art, for example. Baji itself (without any stylage) tends to be interpreted as eight or rake fist. It is considered THE first chinese art, and internal, though these days will be arguable as to being external. Its hardcore, deep stanced, and very penetrating, and very very painful, both to the practitioner and the opponent. It utilises a lot of jings, and is characterised by stomping to induce power. Very effective, and no, you probably wont find an authentic teacher in it unfortunately.
wow, thanks! Some good info there, many thanks. Do you know of any internet resources giving information on various styles of Bajichuan? Many thanks again! James J
Yes, my teacher has a deep interest in the art, and I was trying to find the site he did on the topic, but I cant remember the URL. Ok its not my teachers site, but a good site none the less. Has all you need to know about baji, piqua, bagua and others. www.bajimen.com
Good links. Xiao Ba Ji or Ba Ji Xiao Jia. You neutralize the opponent and counterattack at the same time. Da Ba Ji. There are more kao and kua. It is considered as close range combat. But it also has medium range fighting techniques. The most potent thing is that Ba Ji attack you high, mid and low at the same time. (San Pan Lien Ji). There are more info in my books. You do not have to buy, just ask your local library to get one for you to loan. Cheers.
Bajiquan and Pigua Quan The Journal of Asian Martial Arts had two great articles on Baji. I don't know how easy it is to get back issues though. I've some Baji guys who trained in Taiwan. It is the real deal. It is only recently opening up to the public. All of the Taiwanese secret police are trained in it. The lineage in Taiwan got out of China before the revolution and it may be the most intact nowadays.
http://baji.info/introduction.htm most of the info is in English But its held in helsinki. Also try http://directory.google.com/Top/Sports/Martial_Arts/Kung_Fu/Internal/Ba_Ji/
Baji is pretty awesome at the highest levels, go to www.bajimen.com > People > Li Shu Wen He is the best
i like the close range applications, the elbows and shoulder attacks. when you practice Baji , you need to be a little aggressive in order to close the gap between you and the opponent. But after a while you get the feeling. Most Baji styles (except the shaolin one) look a like. There are small differences. I noticed that the Wu Branch is a bit more fluid than the one from Li Shu Wen. the differences in the styles are normal. One of the main rules of Baji is that if you have a 'new' technique, and it has proved itself you may incorporate it in your style. the practical side of Baji made me a believer. during my first lesson i was allowed to attack the teacher with everything that i had. I took me 2 seconds to know that this was the stuff for me.
According to the most recent compilation, there are 3 majour branches of Ba Ji or Ba Zi. 1. Meng Cun old frame or soft frame. Lao Jia or Ruan Jia. 2. Luo Tong branch. including Li Shu Wen. They are hard frame. 3. Meng Cun Wu style new frame. There are more stuff included. here is a link to a Chinese website. http://www.wushu2008.cn/viewthread.php?tid=10135
A couple vids: Su Yu Chang's baji quan http://www.pachitanglang.org/videoPachi02.htm A version of xiao baji quan (small frame baji) I don't know his lineage : [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q6p1-n7888"]Bajiquan's 3rd small frame form - Master zhou jingxuan - YouTube[/ame] And if you go past the random non baji pictures, you can see photos of a Huo style xiao baji quan form (closest I've seen to the form I learned). http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Gym/8170/learn.html
If anybody is interested there is a highly qualified Baji instructor teaching in Columbus Ohio near Ohio State University. He teaches Huo style Baji Quan, I have been studying with him for about 2.5 years. I have only focused on the empty hand aspects of Baji, so far I have learned the following; Motion sets: Jin Gang Ba Shi Liu Da Kai Ba Da Zhao Taolu (forms) Baji Xiao Jia (Short form) Baji Da Jia (Long form) Baji Dui Jie (Two man set) The instructor in Columbus is An Tian Rong and my sources in China tell me that he is a highly respected practioner. His teachers were Huo Dian Ge and Huo Qing Yun. If anybody is in the area and would like more info just post here in the forum and let me know.
I noticed one thing about the Baji... the practicioners rarely fall back. They keep de stance from the last attack, parry with the arms and counter. Is that right?
