CHENG TING HUA
CHENG YING FANG - 程廷華 - YEN CHING CHENG
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Cheng Ting Hau (程廷華) was a highly skilled Master of martial arts and a part of our schools Pakua Chang (Baquazhang, 8 Triagrams Palm) lineage. Pakua Chang is one of the primary Wu Tang Martial Arts taught today at Imperial Combat Arts. At it's original combat level Pakua is a powerful and proven combat system once trained by elite Imperial Guards of the Ch'ing Dynasty and had a significant role in the development of close quarters pistol, knife fighting, and the empty hand combat used by todays special forces. Pakua Chuan contains bare handed strikes, kicks, joint locks, chin na, throws, and melee weapon mastery. Cheng Ting Hau was one of the first disciples of legendary Pakua Chang founder Tung Hai Chuan.
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CHENG TING HUA'S EARLY LIFE
Cheng Ting Hua was born 1848 in the Cheng Family Village, Shen County, Hebei Provence of Northern China. This region was already well know for it's military warriors and martial arts Masters during the Ch'ing Dynasty. During the Ch'ing Dynasty, and for all of Ting Hua's life, this region was called Zhili Provence, and is the area directly surrounding the capital city of Beijing. Important to the defense of the Capital, Zhili was full of multi- generational warriors, military men, men-at-arms, and was also the region where Pakua Chang founder Tung Hai Chun was born. Ting Hua was also known by the name Cheng Ying Fang and was the third of four brothers.
Ting Hua had pock marks on his face in youth and was also known as “third son with pock marks” Cheng.
Ting Hua had pock marks on his face in youth and was also known as “third son with pock marks” Cheng.
TING HUA'S EARLY TRAINING
Cheng Ting Hua was fond of martial arts from a young age and grew up with the study of battlefield weapons. His whole life Ting Hua enjoyed strength training and developing a strong body with his weapons of choice being a 4ft Saber and heavy Iron Staff. Cheng Ting Hua was said to be a very proficient and strong wrestler making a name for himself in Mongolian Wrestling and well as Pao Ting Shuai Jiao, a very powerful an ancient form of Chinese "wrestling" that also includes strikes, joint locks, pressure point attacks and kicks. Cheng Ting Hua first made a name for himself after coming to Beijing by training these two traditional martial arts.
MOVING TO BEIJING
Coming of age Ting Hua left his hometown and moved to Beijing for an apprenticeship in the study of crafting eyeglasses, which would lead to him becoming well known by his nickname Yen Ching Chen (Yanjing Chen) which translates to "Eyeglasses Cheng". Excited to further his martial arts training he immediately began the study of his wrestling styles in Beijing. Ting Hua believed strong legs and stance were key to developing martial power, and is said to have held deep stances through the day at work, while pretending to be seated in a chair. While cutting eyeglass lenses it would appear he was seated, when in fact he owned no chair by his desk. As time passes Cheng Ting Hua would open his own spectacle shop in Beijing and during this time he would study many different styles of martial arts.
TRAINING UNDER TUNG HAI CHUAN
During his life in Beijing Ting Hua would come to befriend Yin Fu and Shih Chi Ting, who were two of Tung Hai Chuan's first students of Pakua Chang. Ever wanting to improve his own skills, he was encouraged to try and be accepted as a student of Tung Hai Chuan. At this point, where Ting Hua was now twenty-eight years of age, Tung Hai Chuan has already been teaching the Imperial Guard and Nobel Families of Beijing for 11 years, and the power of Pakua Chang was becoming well known. As the two martial arts Masters met in person, Tung Hai Chuan challenged Ting Hua to use Shuai Chiao Kung Fu against him. After several attempts to attack Tung Hai Chuan, Ting Hua was unable to land even a single attack against him. Cheng Ting Hua bowed before the great Master asking to be accepted as a student. Cheng Tai Hua would eventually become the fourth disciple of Pakua Chang, and continued to train under his Master for several years, up until the death of Tung Hai Chuan.
TING HUA'S CONTINUED TRAINING
With the passing of Tung Hai Chuan, Ting Hua would continue to train and teach the art of Pakua Chang as would Hai Chuan's other disciples. Cheng Ting Hua was very open to sharing his martial arts with other martial arts Masters, and would take anyone capable of training as a student. He enjoyed meeting the other Masters, comparing styles, sharing techniques, and discussing the theories of martial arts. Cheng Ting Hua trained routinely and continuously sought to increase his strength. It is said that he wore a weighted vest daily and extensively toughened his hands and legs on heavy sandbags. Over these years his endurance was so strong he was never seen out of breath, red in the face, or showed any indication of strain or discomfort while training or fighting. In addition to great physical strength and endurance, Ting Hua developed a great refinement of his skill, he would practice his Pakua Chang maneuvers, while holding a cup of water, and without spilling a drop.
CHEN TING HUA VS. KUO YUN SHEN
Throughout his time Ting Hua would face many famous fighters in contest, and there are several stories of these challenges throughout which Ting Hua remained undefeated. One of these stories is of significance to our schools, as it's the time two of our lineage lines crossed in contest, the time Ting Hua would face our past H'sing-I Master, Kuo Yun Shen (Gou Yun Shen) , known martially as "The Steadfast", as well as "One Fist Beating All", and "The Divine Crushing Fist". Kuo Yun Shen was a famous undefeated H'sing-I Master, and also from the legendary Hebei province. At this point in time Kuo Yun Shen was just released from years of imprisonment, for murder, or as he liked to put it "killing an opponent in a duel without first checking his political connections". During his time in prison Kuo Yun Shen would do nothing but train and further develop his legendary H'sing-I skills. Kuo Yun Shen would seek out Cheng Ting Hua and the two would meet for dinner and discuss their arts.
As the story goes during dinner Yun Shen was demonstrating the legendary speed of his hand and Ting Hua was able to capture one of his strikes, using his chopsticks to hook over the wrist, and lower Yun Shen's fist to the table. This led to some heated blood and a formal challenge, that spilled out into the garden area where the Masters fought in a explosive series of engagements and evasions, in which neither was struck. The dual led to a mutual draw with both Masters undefeated, and their reputations intact. Ultimately the outcome of the match was that of a mutual respect for each other, that would strengthen the future bond between the styles.
As the story goes during dinner Yun Shen was demonstrating the legendary speed of his hand and Ting Hua was able to capture one of his strikes, using his chopsticks to hook over the wrist, and lower Yun Shen's fist to the table. This led to some heated blood and a formal challenge, that spilled out into the garden area where the Masters fought in a explosive series of engagements and evasions, in which neither was struck. The dual led to a mutual draw with both Masters undefeated, and their reputations intact. Ultimately the outcome of the match was that of a mutual respect for each other, that would strengthen the future bond between the styles.
PAKUA CHANG MEETS H'SING-I CH'UAN
By this time in history the Taoist Wu Tang art of H'sing-I Chuan (XingYiquan) had already been trained by the Elite Imperial Guards of China for close to 1,000 years. H'sing-I is the mastery of battlefield weapons, alongside empty hand combat training, that uses the same strength and understanding of weapons while unarmed. H'sing-I was well proven on the battlefield and one of the most successful military fighting styles of history. Combat H-sing-I is taught alongside Pakua Chang still today at Imperial Combat Arts at it's original battlefield level. Many Masters of H'sing-I would come to also train Pakua Chang, and vice versa, as the two arts share similar mind doctrines and Taoist principles. Chen Ting Hau was friends with several famous H'sing-I Masters who were also living and working in Capital at the time. Ting Hau would teach and train alongside these martial brothers and the two arts would become a common dual study to this day. These H'sing Masters were named, "Big Spear" Liu Te Kuan (Liu Dekuan), Liu Wai Hsiang (Liu Waixiang), Li Ts'un Yeh (Li Cunyi), and Chang Chao Tung (Zhang Zhaodong) a.k.a “Son of Tiger and Panther” and “Lightning Hands Chang".
BIRTH OF WU TANG CH'UAN
Today our schools teach Imperial Wu Tang Ch'uan, which is the combined study of Pakua Chang, H'sing-I Chuan, Tai Chi Ch'uan, and Wu Tang Sword. The "Imperial" coming from our martial arts Masters all working as Bodyguards and Martial Arts Instructors of the Ch'ing Dynasty in Beijing (Additionally we teach a rare Taoist 8 Animal System, Traditional Battlefield Weapons, and Manchurian Archery). Here at this time in history is where these arts first came together under one system. In 1894 Cheng Ting Hua formed an organization with three other Masters who's arts all shared the same internal concepts of Nei Chia (Neijia). Cheng Ting Hau was the Pakua Chang Master, and the other's were Liu Te Kuan a Tai Chi Master, and both Liu Wai Hsiang and Li Tsun-I representing H'sing-I. These four Masters combined their curriculums at practices into one study, to which Wu Tang Sword would be added later, by our sword Masters Sung Wei-I and General Li Ching Lin.
It wouldn't be until 28 years after the death Cheng Ting Hua that these arts would combine under the term Wu Tang, when the Central Martial Arts Academy in Nanjing categorized them as such to distinguish them from the arts of Shaolin origin. It is common for Shaolin to try to claim creation of these arts, and many others, though this has been largely disproven. Taoism and these Taoist practices predate the very existence of Shaolin by over a full millennium. People also often mistakenly believe these arts originated directly from the Taoist Temples of the Wu Tang Mountains which also reside near Beijing, also in the Hebei province. In a remote way they did, as Taoism and these internal concepts had long been a practice, that would lead to the creation of these arts. The arts of H'sing-I and Tai Chi Ch'uan each have their own unique history that had already been well established.
It wouldn't be until 28 years after the death Cheng Ting Hua that these arts would combine under the term Wu Tang, when the Central Martial Arts Academy in Nanjing categorized them as such to distinguish them from the arts of Shaolin origin. It is common for Shaolin to try to claim creation of these arts, and many others, though this has been largely disproven. Taoism and these Taoist practices predate the very existence of Shaolin by over a full millennium. People also often mistakenly believe these arts originated directly from the Taoist Temples of the Wu Tang Mountains which also reside near Beijing, also in the Hebei province. In a remote way they did, as Taoism and these internal concepts had long been a practice, that would lead to the creation of these arts. The arts of H'sing-I and Tai Chi Ch'uan each have their own unique history that had already been well established.
THE BATTLE OF BEIJING
In July of the year 1900 an alliance of eight foreign nations invaded Beijing to rescue their diplomats, civilians, and missionaries, who had been under siege for 55 days in a diplomatic compound in Beijing. The siege was held by a WuWei division of the Chinese army and some martial artists, whereas it got its famous name as the "Boxer Rebellion" (all martial artists were simply called boxers by the west}. The eight nations were Britain, France, the United States, Russia, Italy, Germany, Japan, and Austria-Hungary, who had together long sought to subjugate the Ch'ing Empire, and gain control over China's vast resources.
The siege was part of a push to rid China of these foreign actors. Several of these martial artists were famous and in the employ of the Imperial Guard. There have been many attempts to paint these martial artists as primitive's who though they were bulletproof, and other such absurdities, when in fact these were largely multi-generational warriors, with many seasoned veterans, who new well the costs of war. In the end they were simply outnumbered and outgunned by a large international force, and many chose to fight to the death. The Ch'ing Wu Wei army division responsible for the protection of Beijing, and who were conducting the siege, were in fact a modernized division with firearms and artillery.
The siege was part of a push to rid China of these foreign actors. Several of these martial artists were famous and in the employ of the Imperial Guard. There have been many attempts to paint these martial artists as primitive's who though they were bulletproof, and other such absurdities, when in fact these were largely multi-generational warriors, with many seasoned veterans, who new well the costs of war. In the end they were simply outnumbered and outgunned by a large international force, and many chose to fight to the death. The Ch'ing Wu Wei army division responsible for the protection of Beijing, and who were conducting the siege, were in fact a modernized division with firearms and artillery.
THE DEATH OF CHENG TING HUA
After the Battle of Beijing (or Peking) the foreign forces took over the Capital City causing the Emperor and the Imperial Court to retreat to the northern capital of Sian. The foreign forces would begin a brutal and punishing occupation that lasted for 15 months. As they first moved into Beijing the killed and beheaded untold numbers of people and executed anyone who resembled a martial artist. There are documented stories of soldiers raping and bayoneting women in the street and a large scale looting of China's ancient artifacts and wealth, much of which can still be found today in collections located in the assaulting countries foreign lands.
Chen Ting Hua's eyeglasses shop was located near the Chung Wen (Zhongwen) Gate of Beijing and when on the street during the occupation he encountered a group of German soldiers, who were assembling a forced work detail of Chinese people. These German infantrymen would be armed with brand new Gewehr 98 bolt action rifles and the new Luger Semi-automatic pistols, that were seeing their first combat use in this occupation. The Germans stopped Ting Hua and tried to put him in line with the work detail but the Master drew his own lines.
In close proximity to the Germans, Cheng Ting Hua would suddenly draw two concealed knives and unleash his years of martial arts on the German regulars killing over 10 and wounding others. After losing his tactical initiative and coming under fire, Ting Hua would attempt to evade the remaining soldiers and take cover by running up over the nearby wall where at the top he was fatally shot. Our great Master would meet his glorious death in battle at the age of 52, and become know as much for his final fight as for his well accomplished life.
Chen Ting Hua's eyeglasses shop was located near the Chung Wen (Zhongwen) Gate of Beijing and when on the street during the occupation he encountered a group of German soldiers, who were assembling a forced work detail of Chinese people. These German infantrymen would be armed with brand new Gewehr 98 bolt action rifles and the new Luger Semi-automatic pistols, that were seeing their first combat use in this occupation. The Germans stopped Ting Hua and tried to put him in line with the work detail but the Master drew his own lines.
In close proximity to the Germans, Cheng Ting Hua would suddenly draw two concealed knives and unleash his years of martial arts on the German regulars killing over 10 and wounding others. After losing his tactical initiative and coming under fire, Ting Hua would attempt to evade the remaining soldiers and take cover by running up over the nearby wall where at the top he was fatally shot. Our great Master would meet his glorious death in battle at the age of 52, and become know as much for his final fight as for his well accomplished life.
PAKUA IN SPECIAL FORCES
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Pakua was taught by Tsai Ching Tung, a bodyguard to the Empress Cixi, to William E. Fairbairn who later developed the hand-to-hand combat training for the allied forces in WWII. Fairbairn is considered the father of close quarters pistol, knife fighting, and unarmed combatives the military still uses today. Fairbairn trained under Tung for 10 years and considered him "a man of terrifying prowess". The idea of fighting several men, overlapping them, using chin na and strikes combined, as well as the ability to use anything as a weapon, is combat Pakua.
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PAKUA AT IMPERIAL COMBAT ARTS
Pakua is taught throughout the week at Imperial Combat Arts alongside the other Wu Tang Martial Arts. Our focus is on Modern and Full Feudal Combat Training, for lethal combat situations. We begin all students with the Wu Tang Arts teaching combat martial arts as taught for military use, and as arts that can be developed quickly with the natural body. We begin all students with the study of Knife, Gun, Club, and Improvised Weapons as taught to U.S. soldiers from our military history. Enter Page> Wu Tang Chuan
OUR MILITARY INSTRUCTORS
Imperial Combat Arts past Masters and Instructors have taught even more recently in the U.S. Military during Vietnam, and have Iraqi War era U.S. military training. Our Grandmaster Long taught knife fighting, the use of the Vietnam Tomahawk, Survival, and Hand-to-hand combat to U.S. soldiers in Vietnam. Advertised since the mid 60's our schools have offered classes from C.E. Smith on special forces weaponry. C.E. Smith was a Green Beret/Airborne Ranger who served 3 tours in Vietnam as Special Forces in the Phoenix Program. Prior to Vietnam Smith was an Operation and Intelligence Instructor and spent 5 months training Laotian soldiers to fight communists. Smith retired to teach Special Forces Operations to ROTC and was a Instructor in our schools. Our past Masters also served in WWII, The Second Sino Japanese War, and served as Generals and Imperial Bodyguards throughout the history of the Ch'ing Dynasty and China's Warlord Era.
ADVANCED MARTIAL ARTS
Advanced students and Instructors enter into more advanced martial arts with the 8 Animal Systems. These highly lethal and legendary fighting styles are for a true elite class of martial artist, and require years of toughening and training to master. Each animal style is itself a complete martial art with its own history, weapons, strikes, chin na, and signature hand toughening, brought together into one combat system over 300 years ago. Imperial Combat Arts teaches the legendary arts of Tiger, Panther, Leopard, Boar, Eagle, Crane, Mantis, and Snake Kung Fu. Enter Page> Eight Animals
MELEE WEAPON MASTERY
Imperial Combat Arts has direct lineage to the ancient battlefields of China and teaches master levels of traditional and modern weapons. Melee weapons are used in almost every life and death fight short of firearms, from the knife & baton to any improvised objects. This part of training is often neglected from other martial arts and yet is perhaps the most important to study. Fully immersive weapon training is vastly different from basic Kung Fu. Enter Page ⚔ Weapon Mastery
PAKUA CHANG LINEAGE
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Cheng Ting Hua's contributions to Pakua Chang would be survived by his many students and family members, of which our own lineage is but one branch. Two of his famous disciples would further survive the arts for us to train them today, these Great Master were Fu Chen Sung and Sun Lu Tang. Other branches of Pakua Chang also enter our arts much later via our Masters Tong Sing, and Grandmaster Chang.
Many schools of Pakua have moved into training only empty handed, for performance, or with their primary focus on spiritual development. It has become increasingly more difficult to find true combat Pakua. At Imperial Combat Arts our focus has always been feudal weapon training for lethal situations and we teach traditional battlefield weapons as they were practiced by the Imperial Guard for warfare. Our school were already moved from China before the rise of today's performance and theatrical Wu Shu style of martial arts. |
TUNG HAI CHUAN
Tung Hai Chuan (Dong Haichuan) was a highly skilled martial artist renowned for the development of Pakua Chang (The 8 Trigrams Palm), one of the primary Wu Tang Martial Arts taught today at Imperial Combat Arts. Tung Hai Chuan's legendary teachings would make their way into modern special forces and become studied across the globe today. There are many tall tales and legends about Tung but the historical truth is not hard to find. Enter Page> Tung Hai Chuan
YIN FU
Yin Fu was the first disciple of Tung Hai Chuan and a highly skilled martial arts master who served as the Commander of the Imperial Bodyguard for the Empress Dowager, and the Kuang Hsü (Guang Xu) Emperor. Yin Fu would become the chief martial Instructor to the Imperial Court with Bannermen trained by him being stationed throughout Beijing and Zhili (Hebei) province. Yin Fu also trained Snake Kung Fu, Arhat Hand, Plum Flower Fist and mastered battlefield weapons with the Willow Leaf Saber as his primary. Enter Page> Yin Fu
MA KUEI
Ma Kuei was one of the first disciples of Pakua Chang who trained directly under both Tung Hai Chuan and Yin Fu, starting at the age of 12. Ma Kuei was a Bodyguard and Martial Arts Instructor to China's imperial court and later worked at the office of the President and also taught at the National Police Academy. Ma Kuei was a strong and highly toughened Pakua Master who also trained Tien Kang Ch'uan, Crab Kung Fu, Arhat Hand, Tien Hsüueh, Unicorn Fist and also mastered the Saber and Broadsword. Enter Page> Ma Kuei