Fu Chen Sung
Encyclopedia
Fu Chen Sung (1872–1953), or Fu Qiankun was a grandmaster of Wudangquan martial arts. He was best known as one of the famed "Five Northern Tigers," and a third-generation master of Baguazhang
who founded Fu Style Baguazhang
. He was also a soldier and a supporter of Sun Yat-sen
.
province, China
. When he was 16-years old, he joined his village's newly created martial arts
school, where he studied under Chen Yanxi (陳延禧) from the nearby Chen village, an 8th generation disciple of Chen family of taijiquan. He also learned from Chia Feng Ming (賈山) (also written in English sometimes as Chia Chi-shan or Jia Feng Meng), a top student of the founder of baguazhang
, Grandmaster Dong Haichuan
. After nine years of training, his teachers encouraged him to move to Beijing
to learn more. When he moved to Beijing, Fu continued his studies of baguazhang
with Ma Gui
and Cheng Tinghua
, both first generation disciples of Dong Haichuan.
In 1900 he moved back to his home village to teach. He became well-known in that part of China for defeating a large gang of bandits that attacked his village; he did so armed with a metal pole. In 1911, Fu Chen-Sung became a caravan guard/body guard in Shantung and Henan
at the request of the Kai Kung Hsin Shan Protection Service.
After the Xinhai Revolution
of 1911, Fu traveled to Fu Chou, Cheng Chou, as well as Shan Si Province, and beyond. In 1913, Fu was hired by the Revolutionary Army as a martial arts
instructor, holding this post for a few years. During those years he met the Wudang grandmaster Sung Wei-I
(宋唯一) in Liao Ning Province. Fu learned Wudang sword, "lightning palm" and “rocket fist" from Sung. These elements later became part of Fu’s forms. According to Lin Chao Zhen, Fu created the Dragon form baguazhang
and LiangYi Chuan (“harmonized opposites boxing") after he studied with Sung Wei-I
.
(“Miracle sword" Li) made Fu head of the 100 person strong martial arts company after he demonstrated tiger fist, leopard fist, connected fist, bagua “cyclone", broadsword and bagua “four sided" spear. Li Jinglin had also learned sword from Sung Wei-I, and so he taught Fu further sword techniques. In 1926 the company transferred to Beijing. During a martial arts demonstration, “God spear" Li used his famous spear and Fu used his “four faced" bagua spear in a friendly bout. The match ended in a draw. This increased Fu’s fame and both men exchanged their knowledge of spear tactics. Fu Chen Sung was married to Han Kun Ru, who practiced the spear and had a powerful technique. Her father was also a famous kung fu master China.
In Beijing, Fu met Sun Lu-t'ang
, Yang Chengfu
, and many other skilled practitioners, with whom he exchanged knowledge. This exchange continued when the Central Guoshu Institute
(Central Martial Arts Academy) was founded in Nanjing
. After heavy competition, Fu Chen Sung was made Chief Instructor of baguazhang
, emphasizing in his teachings fast precise footwork and waist strength. It was here that he taught Sun Lu-t'ang
the Wudang sword and in exchange, Sun Lu-t'ang
taught him the Sun style of Xingyiquan
and Tai chi chuan.
In late 1928 or 1929, at General Li Jinglin’s urging, the Central Gymnasium sent Fu south to teach at the Kuang Hsi and Guangzhou
provincial school the Liang Kuang Kuo Shu Kuan (the Two Kuang's Martial Arts School.) This school was located in Guangzhou
(Canton
). Fu Chen Sung became the school's director. Along with Fu, four others were also sent to the south. They were (probably) Ku Yu Cheung
, Wang Shao-Chou, Wan Lai-Sheng, and Li Hsien-Wu. They were all constantly being challenged by southern Chinese martial artists, but always beat all challengers. They thus earned the respectful nickname, the “Five Northern Tigers". Fu Chen-Sung, Ku Yu Cheung (Gu Ru-Jiang in PingYin), and Wai Lai Sheng remained in Canton, and spread the Northern styles throughout the province.
In 1937 the Second Sino-Japanese War
broke out and the Provincial Martial Arts Academy and the Chin Woo Athletic Association
schools were closed down. Fu moved his family further into the countryside for safety, and traveled around the south teaching the Chinese army troops. After the war ended in 1945, Fu began to teach in various schools in Guangzhou
province. He supported Sun Yat-sen
in his unsuccessful attempt to unify China under a republican form of government. He devoted his life to developing the Fu Style Wudangquan.
In 1953, martial arts exhibitions were held in Canton Cultural Park. Thousands of people packed the park, and crowds of people blocked all entrances. Fu Chen Sung demonstrated the dragon form. After his first demonstration, the cheering crowd called for encores, and Fu returned to perform the form, faster and faster. Of this event, a local newspaper said afterwards “words could not describe the speed with which he moved." This exertion overcame him, and later that night Fu died at the local hospital. He believed in constant innovation and continual improvement. The forms he developed express this, incorporating the most useful and practical principles of other styles, and progress from simple to advanced.
developed pa kua
after learning circle walking from the Complete Reality
Taoist school. Fu spent 8 years learning pa kua
from Jia Feng Meng, then 3 years in Beijing learning from Yin Fu
's top student Ma Gui
, and from Cheng Ting Hua at the same time. All were first generation students of Grandmaster Dong Hai Chuan.
, and definitely learned from Li Jinglin. Fu taught Sun Lu-t'ang
the sword in Nanjing
, and in exchange Sun taught him Xingyiquan
.
. He later learned Sun-style tai chi chuan from Sun Lu-t'ang
and Yang-style tai chi chuan from Yang Chengfu
. From all these styles he synthesized his own form, and balanced left and right.
from Sun Lu-t'ang
in exchange for having taught him the sword in Nanjing
.
Baguazhang
Bāguàzhǎng is one of the three main Chinese martial arts of the Wudang school, the other two being Taijiquan and Xingyiquan. It is more broadly grouped as an internal practice...
who founded Fu Style Baguazhang
Fu Style Baguazhang
Fu Style Baguazhang is a style of baguazhang, a chinese martial art.-History:Fu Zhen Song began learning Chen-style taijiquan at age 16 from the famous Chen Family master, Chen Yan Xi....
. He was also a soldier and a supporter of Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen was a Chinese doctor, revolutionary and political leader. As the foremost pioneer of Nationalist China, Sun is frequently referred to as the "Father of the Nation" , a view agreed upon by both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China...
.
Early life
Fu Chen Sung was born in Mapo village, Biyangxian county, in Huaiqing City area, HenanHenan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
province, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. When he was 16-years old, he joined his village's newly created martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
school, where he studied under Chen Yanxi (陳延禧) from the nearby Chen village, an 8th generation disciple of Chen family of taijiquan. He also learned from Chia Feng Ming (賈山) (also written in English sometimes as Chia Chi-shan or Jia Feng Meng), a top student of the founder of baguazhang
Baguazhang
Bāguàzhǎng is one of the three main Chinese martial arts of the Wudang school, the other two being Taijiquan and Xingyiquan. It is more broadly grouped as an internal practice...
, Grandmaster Dong Haichuan
Dong Haichuan
Dong Haichuan was born on the 13th of October 1797 in Zhu village, Ju Jia Wu Township, Wen'an County, Hebei Province, China and died on the 25th of October 1882 in Beijing. He is regarded as a skillful martial artist and is widely credited to be the founder of Baguazhang...
. After nine years of training, his teachers encouraged him to move to Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
to learn more. When he moved to Beijing, Fu continued his studies of baguazhang
Baguazhang
Bāguàzhǎng is one of the three main Chinese martial arts of the Wudang school, the other two being Taijiquan and Xingyiquan. It is more broadly grouped as an internal practice...
with Ma Gui
Ma Gui (martial artist)
Ma Gui was an accomplished master of the internal Chinese martial art of Baguazhang, and considered to be one of the top students of both Yin Fu and Baguazhang’s founder Dong Haichuan...
and Cheng Tinghua
Cheng Tinghua
Cheng Tinghua was a renowned master of Chinese Neijia martial art Bagua Zhang.-Biography:Born in the Cheng family village, Shen County, Hebei , he was the third of four brothers....
, both first generation disciples of Dong Haichuan.
In 1900 he moved back to his home village to teach. He became well-known in that part of China for defeating a large gang of bandits that attacked his village; he did so armed with a metal pole. In 1911, Fu Chen-Sung became a caravan guard/body guard in Shantung and Henan
Henan
Henan , is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the central part of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "豫" , named after Yuzhou , a Han Dynasty state that included parts of Henan...
at the request of the Kai Kung Hsin Shan Protection Service.
After the Xinhai Revolution
Xinhai Revolution
The Xinhai Revolution or Hsinhai Revolution, also known as Revolution of 1911 or the Chinese Revolution, was a revolution that overthrew China's last imperial dynasty, the Qing , and established the Republic of China...
of 1911, Fu traveled to Fu Chou, Cheng Chou, as well as Shan Si Province, and beyond. In 1913, Fu was hired by the Revolutionary Army as a martial arts
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
instructor, holding this post for a few years. During those years he met the Wudang grandmaster Sung Wei-I
Sung Wei-I
Sung Wei Yi was born in Lia Ning Province in 1855. He was the Grandmaster of the Wudang Sword.He introduced the sword to both Chen-style t'ai chi ch'uan and Yang-style tai chi chuan; he taught theWudang Sword to General Li Jinglin and Fu Chen Sung....
(宋唯一) in Liao Ning Province. Fu learned Wudang sword, "lightning palm" and “rocket fist" from Sung. These elements later became part of Fu’s forms. According to Lin Chao Zhen, Fu created the Dragon form baguazhang
Baguazhang
Bāguàzhǎng is one of the three main Chinese martial arts of the Wudang school, the other two being Taijiquan and Xingyiquan. It is more broadly grouped as an internal practice...
and LiangYi Chuan (“harmonized opposites boxing") after he studied with Sung Wei-I
Sung Wei-I
Sung Wei Yi was born in Lia Ning Province in 1855. He was the Grandmaster of the Wudang Sword.He introduced the sword to both Chen-style t'ai chi ch'uan and Yang-style tai chi chuan; he taught theWudang Sword to General Li Jinglin and Fu Chen Sung....
.
Military career
In 1920 Fu joined the central army. The then Brigade Commander (later General), Li JinglinLi Jinglin
Li Jinglin Li Jinglin (also known as Li Fangchen) Li Jinglin (also known as Li Fangchen) ((李景林, 1885 - 1931) was a deputy inspector-general and later army general for the Fengtian clique during the Chinese warlord era. He hailed from Zaoqiang County, Hebei province, China. After his military...
(“Miracle sword" Li) made Fu head of the 100 person strong martial arts company after he demonstrated tiger fist, leopard fist, connected fist, bagua “cyclone", broadsword and bagua “four sided" spear. Li Jinglin had also learned sword from Sung Wei-I, and so he taught Fu further sword techniques. In 1926 the company transferred to Beijing. During a martial arts demonstration, “God spear" Li used his famous spear and Fu used his “four faced" bagua spear in a friendly bout. The match ended in a draw. This increased Fu’s fame and both men exchanged their knowledge of spear tactics. Fu Chen Sung was married to Han Kun Ru, who practiced the spear and had a powerful technique. Her father was also a famous kung fu master China.
In Beijing, Fu met Sun Lu-t'ang
Sun Lu-t'ang
Sun Lu-t'ang was a renowned master of Chinese Neijia martial arts and was the progenitor of the syncretic art of Sun-style tai chi chuan...
, Yang Chengfu
Yang Chengfu
Yang Chengfu or Yang Ch'eng-fu is historically considered the best known teacher of the soft style martial art of Yang-style t'ai chi ch'uan .-Biography:...
, and many other skilled practitioners, with whom he exchanged knowledge. This exchange continued when the Central Guoshu Institute
Central Guoshu Institute
The Central Guoshu Institute was established in Nanjing by the Kuomintang government of the Republic of China in 1928 for the propagation of Chinese martial arts, and was an important center of martial arts during the Nanjing decade.Guoshu "national art" was...
(Central Martial Arts Academy) was founded in Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
. After heavy competition, Fu Chen Sung was made Chief Instructor of baguazhang
Baguazhang
Bāguàzhǎng is one of the three main Chinese martial arts of the Wudang school, the other two being Taijiquan and Xingyiquan. It is more broadly grouped as an internal practice...
, emphasizing in his teachings fast precise footwork and waist strength. It was here that he taught Sun Lu-t'ang
Sun Lu-t'ang
Sun Lu-t'ang was a renowned master of Chinese Neijia martial arts and was the progenitor of the syncretic art of Sun-style tai chi chuan...
the Wudang sword and in exchange, Sun Lu-t'ang
Sun Lu-t'ang
Sun Lu-t'ang was a renowned master of Chinese Neijia martial arts and was the progenitor of the syncretic art of Sun-style tai chi chuan...
taught him the Sun style of Xingyiquan
Xingyiquan
Xingyiquan is one of the major "internal" or Wudang styles of Chinese martial arts. The word translates approximately to "Form/Intention Boxing", or "Shape/Will Boxing", and is characterized by aggressive, seemingly linear movements and explosive power...
and Tai chi chuan.
In late 1928 or 1929, at General Li Jinglin’s urging, the Central Gymnasium sent Fu south to teach at the Kuang Hsi and Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
provincial school the Liang Kuang Kuo Shu Kuan (the Two Kuang's Martial Arts School.) This school was located in Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
(Canton
Guangdong
Guangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
). Fu Chen Sung became the school's director. Along with Fu, four others were also sent to the south. They were (probably) Ku Yu Cheung
Ku Yu Cheung
Ku Yu Cheung was a Chinese martial artist who disseminated the Bak sil lum martial arts system across southern China in the early 1900’s. Ku was known for his expertise in Iron Palm hand conditioning among other Chinese Martial Art training exercises...
, Wang Shao-Chou, Wan Lai-Sheng, and Li Hsien-Wu. They were all constantly being challenged by southern Chinese martial artists, but always beat all challengers. They thus earned the respectful nickname, the “Five Northern Tigers". Fu Chen-Sung, Ku Yu Cheung (Gu Ru-Jiang in PingYin), and Wai Lai Sheng remained in Canton, and spread the Northern styles throughout the province.
In 1937 the Second Sino-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
broke out and the Provincial Martial Arts Academy and the Chin Woo Athletic Association
Chin Woo Athletic Association
Chin Woo Athletic Association is a Chinese martial arts association founded in Shanghai on July 7, 1910, but other sources also cite dates in 1909. It can be found spelled in many ways - Jing Mo, Ching Wu, Jing Wo, Jing Wu etc....
schools were closed down. Fu moved his family further into the countryside for safety, and traveled around the south teaching the Chinese army troops. After the war ended in 1945, Fu began to teach in various schools in Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
province. He supported Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen
Sun Yat-sen was a Chinese doctor, revolutionary and political leader. As the foremost pioneer of Nationalist China, Sun is frequently referred to as the "Father of the Nation" , a view agreed upon by both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China...
in his unsuccessful attempt to unify China under a republican form of government. He devoted his life to developing the Fu Style Wudangquan.
In 1953, martial arts exhibitions were held in Canton Cultural Park. Thousands of people packed the park, and crowds of people blocked all entrances. Fu Chen Sung demonstrated the dragon form. After his first demonstration, the cheering crowd called for encores, and Fu returned to perform the form, faster and faster. Of this event, a local newspaper said afterwards “words could not describe the speed with which he moved." This exertion overcame him, and later that night Fu died at the local hospital. He believed in constant innovation and continual improvement. The forms he developed express this, incorporating the most useful and practical principles of other styles, and progress from simple to advanced.
Baguazhang
Dong HaichuanDong Haichuan
Dong Haichuan was born on the 13th of October 1797 in Zhu village, Ju Jia Wu Township, Wen'an County, Hebei Province, China and died on the 25th of October 1882 in Beijing. He is regarded as a skillful martial artist and is widely credited to be the founder of Baguazhang...
developed pa kua
Baguazhang
Bāguàzhǎng is one of the three main Chinese martial arts of the Wudang school, the other two being Taijiquan and Xingyiquan. It is more broadly grouped as an internal practice...
after learning circle walking from the Complete Reality
Quanzhen School
The Quanzhen School of Taoism originated in Northern China. It was founded by the Taoist Wang Chongyang in the 12th century, during the rise of the Jin Dynasty...
Taoist school. Fu spent 8 years learning pa kua
Baguazhang
Bāguàzhǎng is one of the three main Chinese martial arts of the Wudang school, the other two being Taijiquan and Xingyiquan. It is more broadly grouped as an internal practice...
from Jia Feng Meng, then 3 years in Beijing learning from Yin Fu
Yin Fu
Yin Fu was a Baguazhang disciple of Dong Haichuan responsible for the creation of the Yin Style Baguazhang.Yin Fu was Dong's earliest disciple in Prince Duan's palace...
's top student Ma Gui
Ma Gui (martial artist)
Ma Gui was an accomplished master of the internal Chinese martial art of Baguazhang, and considered to be one of the top students of both Yin Fu and Baguazhang’s founder Dong Haichuan...
, and from Cheng Ting Hua at the same time. All were first generation students of Grandmaster Dong Hai Chuan.
Wudang Sword
Fu may have studied sword under Sung Wei-ISung Wei-I
Sung Wei Yi was born in Lia Ning Province in 1855. He was the Grandmaster of the Wudang Sword.He introduced the sword to both Chen-style t'ai chi ch'uan and Yang-style tai chi chuan; he taught theWudang Sword to General Li Jinglin and Fu Chen Sung....
, and definitely learned from Li Jinglin. Fu taught Sun Lu-t'ang
Sun Lu-t'ang
Sun Lu-t'ang was a renowned master of Chinese Neijia martial arts and was the progenitor of the syncretic art of Sun-style tai chi chuan...
the sword in Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
, and in exchange Sun taught him Xingyiquan
Xingyiquan
Xingyiquan is one of the major "internal" or Wudang styles of Chinese martial arts. The word translates approximately to "Form/Intention Boxing", or "Shape/Will Boxing", and is characterized by aggressive, seemingly linear movements and explosive power...
.
Taijiquan
Fu learned Chen-style t'ai chi ch'uan as a youth, while simultaneously learning baguazhangBaguazhang
Bāguàzhǎng is one of the three main Chinese martial arts of the Wudang school, the other two being Taijiquan and Xingyiquan. It is more broadly grouped as an internal practice...
. He later learned Sun-style tai chi chuan from Sun Lu-t'ang
Sun Lu-t'ang
Sun Lu-t'ang was a renowned master of Chinese Neijia martial arts and was the progenitor of the syncretic art of Sun-style tai chi chuan...
and Yang-style tai chi chuan from Yang Chengfu
Yang Chengfu
Yang Chengfu or Yang Ch'eng-fu is historically considered the best known teacher of the soft style martial art of Yang-style t'ai chi ch'uan .-Biography:...
. From all these styles he synthesized his own form, and balanced left and right.
Xingyiquan
Fu learned XingyiquanXingyiquan
Xingyiquan is one of the major "internal" or Wudang styles of Chinese martial arts. The word translates approximately to "Form/Intention Boxing", or "Shape/Will Boxing", and is characterized by aggressive, seemingly linear movements and explosive power...
from Sun Lu-t'ang
Sun Lu-t'ang
Sun Lu-t'ang was a renowned master of Chinese Neijia martial arts and was the progenitor of the syncretic art of Sun-style tai chi chuan...
in exchange for having taught him the sword in Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
.