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Ma Gui (1853-1940) - was one of the first students of Yin Fu, starting in 1875 at the age of eighteen, and is accepted as being his most technically proficient disciple. After returning from Mongolia with his instructor, Dong Haichuan, Yin Fu started teaching a group of students the new art of Baguazhang. Yin introduced Ma Gui to the founder to receive additional training. Ma was of very short stature and Dong reported told the young Ma, “You are too short to do Bagua, I will have to make up an animal just for you. Since you look like a crab, I will teach you the Crab System.” True to his word, Dong developed an entirely new fighting system for Ma. This method still is taught today among the Ma Gui lineage and within Yin Style Baguazhang. Due to being taught by both Dong and Yin Fu, he developed very rapidly and his skills became deep and refined. Ma Gui was known as an extremely ruthless fighter and instructor. He had few students because no one wanted to put up with his teaching abuse, which was quite common among several lines of this art. He was very conservative about passing on his martial knowledge. During his lifetime, he taught many students, including many of Yin Fu’s younger disciples, but most were only taught basics. Ma maintained extremely high standards and demanded a high level of dedication from his students. Ma was originally from Shandong, but he moved to Beijing at a early age. Ma Gui was known for the “Crab method” and also for a method of striking that utilized the wrist. He was a martial brother, sharing the same instructor, of Men Baozhen. In fact, the two lived in the same neighborhood during the 1930’s. At that time, Men sent one of his disciple, Xie Peiqi, to study with Ma. Xie learned the “Crab method”, wrist striking, and the hammerfist from the elder Ma. It is theorized that the reason that Yin Fu did not chose Ma Gui to be the lineage holder was due to two factors. Ma Gui, though both extremely knowledgeable and proficient in Bagua, was known to be abusive to his students and basically was the type of person what more of a practitioner than an instructor. The second reason is clearly an age issue. Having been born around 1853, Ma Gui was only thirteen years younger than Yin Fu. Men Baozhen, Yin Fu’s chosen successor and martial brother of Ma Gui, was thirty-three years younger than Yin Fu. If one was choosing a person to carry on the lineage of the art the wiser choice would be the younger man, Ma Gui started a lumber business as a young man in 1880. At his business, he set up a training area in which Bagua students could come to train and exchange ideas. Students from all branches of the art would associate at Ma’s lumber yard. This enabled him to grasp a very deep understanding of the art, as he was exposed to the teachings of not only Dong Haichuan and Yin Fu, but also those of Dong’s other disciples like Cheng Tinghua and Liu Fengchun. Ma Gui became known as “Lumber Ma”. It is reported that Dong Haichuan even stayed with Ma after he left service in the Imperial Palace of Prince Su. Ma Gui’s branch is still active in the Beijing area and there is a branch school in Canada. In 1930, Ma Gui, along with several other prominent Bagua practitioners, placed a stele at the tomb of Dong Haichuan. He assisted in the teaching of several of Yin Fu’s disciples to include Men Baozhen and Cao Zhongsheng, and 4th generation students like Dr. Xie Peiqi. He had few direct students, but the ones that have been identified are listed below.
 Liu Wanchuan (1900-1993) - was from Haiyang County in the Hebei Province. When he was young, he studied Baguazhang from his uncle, Liu Qingfu, a disciple of Yin Fu. Liu moved to Beijing as a young man and during the 1920’s and 30’s studied under Yin Yuzhang, who was Yin Fu’s son. He was a business partner of Li Shaoan and assisted Li Shaoan in taking care of the elderly Ma Gui during the 1930’s. He became a disciple of Ma Gui and became very skilled at the famous Ma Gui Crab style and also became proficient in the linking palms. His power was compared to the legendary Ma Gui, which he could issue with a heavy, fearsome force. Liu was also highly skilled at attacking pressure points, grabbing tendons, and controlling the pulse. He inherited many of the special skills from Ma Gui’s method to include the wrist strike, dragging palm, chopping palm, Fire-wheel palm, and hard striking palm. Liu Wanchuan passed away in 1993. He passed his knowledge on to Yu Zhiming. [Source for the information and photographs of Liu Wanchuan, Yu Zhiming, Pan Guangzhang, Sun Wuling, and Li Wenling is from maguibagua.com]
 Yu Zhiming (1920-present) - was from Haiyang County in Shandong Province. At the age of 16, Yu began studying from Liu Qingfu, a disciple of the great Yin Fu. He trained under Liu for three years, but was forced to stop his training when he moved to Beijing. This move is reportedly due to a series of kidnappings that were occurring in the Shandong Province. After the move to Beijing, Yu had to concern himself with earning a living and providing for his new family. He was unable to continue his training due to these hardships. Overworked and underfed, Yu developed a serious stomach disease during that time. In the 1950’s, Yu met Liu Wanchuan and began his education in Baguazhang once again. He was accepted as a disciple and continued to study with Liu for thirty years. He developed a very high level of technical skill and achieved a great understanding of the of the internal aspects of the art. Click here to go to the Ma Gui Baguazhang Website for more information.
 Pan Guangzhang (1924-1999) - was from Shandong Province. As a youth he had a great interest in the martial arts. Pan trained the external arts and grappling skills during this time, but his instructor is unknown. Pan moved to Beijing and as fate would have it, ended up working in the same factory as Liu Wanchuan. Hearing the stories concerning Liu’s skills, he became a disciple. This relationship was to last until Liu Wanchuan’s death in 1993. Pan was a senior student of Liu and studied with him longer than anyone else. Click here to go to the Ma Gui Baguazhang Website for more information.
 Sun Wuling (1921-2001) - initially studied Baguazhang under his father, Sun Bolin. Starting in 1946, Sun learned Yin Fu Baguazhang with Wang Kuisan, an apprentice of Liu Qingfu. After Liu’s death in the 1950’s, Sun studied Cheng Style Baguazhang, but his instructor is unknown. He once again started training in a Yin Fu system in the 1960’s when he trained with Li Shaoan and Guo Gumin. Sun moved back to Shandong Province in the 1970’s and met Li Shaoan, who had been forced to the area during the Cultural Revolution. Li was over ninety years of age at that time and he urged Sun to go back to Beijing and train under his martial brother, Liu Wanchuan. Sun traveled back and forth between Jilin and Beijing from 1981 to 1993 to train with Liu Wanchuan. Sun Wuling passed away in 2001. Click here to go to the Ma Gui Baguazhang Website for more information.
 Li Wenling (1947-present) - he initially trained in Cheng Style Baguazhang under Wang Fusheng. Li entered the Chinese military and spent many years in the service. During that time he continued his martial studies and learned many different fighting systems. After his service in the military, Li returned home, but learned that Wang, his Cheng Style Baguazhang instructor, had passed away. He was able to gain an introduction with Liu Wanchuan and was accepted as a student.Click here to go to the Ma Gui Baguazhang Website for more information.
  Wang Peishang (1919-2004) - was born in 1919 in Wu Qing County in Hebei Province. He was a direct disciple of Ma Gui, but also studied under three other Baguazhang instructors; Gao Kexing (Cheng and Liu Styles), Han Muxia, and Song Shutang. Ma Gui being the only one of Yin Fu lineage. Wang stated that his first meeting with Ma Gui was very intense and frightening. Being a small child, Wang loved the martial arts and practiced very regularly. At the age of 12, he was practicing with a spear in a small alley that separated his home from the front entrance wall. He was practicing hard and became engrossed in his training. Thrusting the spear away from the front entrance, he did not notice a small, old man as he approached. Just as the man enter the doorway, Wang’s thrust headed toward the man’s throat. the old man dodged the spear, took it from Wang and started yelling at the youngster. A neighbor heard the commotion and intervened. He explained how the young boy loved the martial arts and trained hard everyday. The old man calmed down and asked the Wang to perform what he knew. The old man was satisfied with Wang’s performance and agreed to teach him. Wang was very excited to have a martial arts instructor, but had no idea of what style he would learn or who the old man was. The neighbor was very excited and told Wang to tell his parents that he was to be accepted as a disciple to the Great Ma Gui. Wang studied with Ma Gui from that point. He was very small, but practiced hard and had a natural talent that helped his skills to grow rapidly. Wang also studied numerous other Chinese martial arts to include Taijin Xingyi, and Baji. He is also considered a scholar of Chinese culture, art, and philosophy. He founded the Yin Cheng Gong Fa Association, which is now headed by his student, Zhang Yun. Wang was highly respected in the Chinese martial arts community and his organization has a worldwide membership. Click here for an excellent article on the life of Wang Peisheng.
 Luo Shuhuan - was a direct disciple of Wang Peishang. He was one of Wang’s senior students and assisted in instructing many of the younger students. Luo lived in Beijing, China and spent many years perfecting the martial arts that he learned from Wang Peishang. Zhang Yun trained with Luo Shuhuan.
 Zhang Yun - from Beijing, China, is a student of Luo Shuhuan and his instructor, Wang Peisheng. Zhang now lives near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He has taught internal martial arts in the United State since 1989 and is the president and head instructor of the Yin Cheng Gong Fa Association, North American Headquarters. He has published more than fifteen articles and is the author of The Art of Chinese Swordsmanship: A Manual of Taiji Jian and Combat Techniques of Taiji, Xingyi, and Bagua.
 Liu Hungchieh – originally studied Baguazhang with Cheng Youlong, the son of the famed Cheng Tinghua, founder of the Cheng branch of the art. Liu became a formal disciple of Cheng Youlong and was the youngest person admitted to the school. After Cheng’s school disbanded, Liu Hungchieh studied with Mai Gui. He credits Mai with teaching the most about the meditative aspects and the mastery of qi aspects of Baguazhang. Liu always claimed that although his bagua movements were basically those of the Cheng school, the most critical aspects of his internal qi work came from Ma Gui. Li stated that Ma Gui would sit and meditate while he was practicing Baguazhang. He stated that during those times that Ma relied on qi transmission as a method of instruction. Noting that this was the same method utilized by Dong Haichuan during his train. He considered himself a disciple of Liu Zhenlin. Liu Hungchieh took in an Ameican student in his later years. That student was Bruce Frantzis. Other known students have not been determined.
 Bruce Frantzis - a noted martial artist and qigong practitioner that currently lives in the United States. He has trained with several famous Baguazhang practitioners to include Wang Shujin and Liu Hungshieh. Frantzis has authored several books on the martial arts and runs Energy Arts to to teach energetic fitness and healing practices such as Taichi, Qigong, Taoist Meditation, and Yoga. Click here for a video of Bruce Frantzis on YouTube.
Fu Wenyuan - was a student of Ma Gui. He worked in a jade store in Beijing and became a friend of Cao Zongsheng. Fu introduced Cao to Ma Gui as potential student. The Baguazhang training helped the unhealthy young man to gain strenght and health. No additional information.
Li Yongqing – it is generally accepted that Li Yongqing was Yin Fu’s second most technically proficient disciple. This was validated by the late Dr. Xie Peiqi among others. Li owned the Wan Tong Jewelry Store in Beijing and was nicknamed Wan Tong Li. Physcially, he was known for having great strength in his arms and due to this was also known as Iron Arm Li. Yin Fu was once contracted by the Chinese government to collect taxes in Beijing. Li Yongging assisted his instructor with that task. He once was involved in the death of an assailant during a festival in Beijing. While attending the festival, Li observed a ruffian assaulting a young lady. He stepped in to stop the assault and the man turned on Li. When he attacked, Li parried the blow, stepped in and delivered an elbow strike to the man’s head. The strike proved fatal. Li escaped imprisonment due to the assistance of a eunuch friend of Yin Fu that had influential connections in the Imperial Family. Li Yongqing did not have many direct students and only one has been identified.
  Liu Zhenlin (1885-1968)– was known as a famous fighter and bodyguard from the Beijing area. He first studied Baguazhang under Li Yongqing, who was a disciple of YIn Fu. Li Yongqing was also a close friend and training partner of Ma Gui. His Bagua was heavily influenced by these two practitioners. Later, Liu Zhenlin would study under Cheng Youlong, the son of Cheng Style founder, Cheng Tinghua, and Liu Denhuan. Liu Denhuan was a direct student of Dong Haichuan. This hybrid education allowed Liu Zhenlin to learn aspects of several branches of Dong Haichuan’s teachings. Cheng Youlong and Liu Denkuan eventually introduced Liu Zhenlin to Liang Yuzhen, who was an Imperial Court Minisiter at the time. Liang was a former military man that had been stationed at the most important gate on the Great Wall prior to assuming the post of Court Minister. Liu Zhenlin became a disciple of Liang, who had been a student of Dong Haichuan, and thus learned a further branch of Baguazhang. His most notable disciples were Zhu Baozhen and Liu Hungchieh.
  Zhu Baozhen (1933 - present) – was born in 1933 in Dingxing County in Hebei Province. As a youngster he studied Shaolin Quan while he lived in his home village. When he was 15, he moved to Beijing to seek employment. In 1949, Zhu began studying with Liu Zhenlin. He continued to train under Liu until his instructor’s death in 1968. He learned a mixture of Cheng, Yin, Liang, and Ma Baguazhang from Liu. After Liu’s death, Zhu practiced for 10 years with Yin Style practitioners; He Zongxiang, He Zhongqi, and Zhang Hongji. These men were from the He Jinkui’s lineage. This allowed Zhu to compare the hybrid Baguazhang system that he learned from Liu Zhenlin and the methods of He Jinkui’s Baguazhang. Zhu Baozhen currently teaches in Beijing. He has a series of VCD’s available on the art of this branch of Baguazhang. Click here for a video of Zhu Baozhen.
 Men Baozhen (1873-1958) - was considered as the third most technically proficient of Yin Fu’s disciples. He was very intelligent and became a highly skilled martial artist and Chinese medicine doctor. Men Baozhen was a large man, standing six and a half feet tall and being strongly built. He was initially taught the Lion System of Yin Style Baguazhang and became very proficient with the Chopping Palm. He is claimed to have said that three chopping strikes are the hardest to defend against. Probably due to his age and technical skill level he was chosen by Yin Fu to be the third generation lineage holder. Men lived until 1958 and was cared for by his disciple, Xie Peiqi, in his later years. For a more detailed account of Men Baozhen click here.
 Xie Peiqi (1920-2003) - was the last disciple of Men Baozhen and received the full transmission of the art of Yin Style Baguazhang. Xie also received instruction from Men’s martial brother, Ma Gui. He was the first of the linage holders to openly teach this system. This was due to the tragic deaths of two men that he had chosen to inherit the system. He felt that the system was in peril of being lost and opened the teachings to more people, which was against the traditional manner that the art had been taught in the past. However, he had enough time prior to his death in 2003 to train He Jinbao in the complete martial system of Yin Style Baguazhang. For a more detailed account of Dr. Xie Peiqi click here.
 He Jinbao (1955-present) - considered to be one of Dr. Xie’s most formidable fighters and was chosen as the next lineage holder of Yin Style Baguazhang. He Jinbao continues the path embarked upon by his instructor, Dr. Xie Peiqi, and openly teaches the art to students in Beijing and abroad. For a more detailed account of He Jinbao click here.
 Liu Shichang (1926-present) - a former wrestler that started his training with Dr. Xie Peiqi in 1957. He has practiced everyday of his life since that time. He learned Lion, Dragon, and Phoenix fighting systems from Xie. He and Dr. Xie became good friends, but still maintained an instructor/student relationship. Liu became one of Dr. Xie’s favorite disciples and would openly seek out challenge matches from other systems to test his Baguazhang skills in his younger years. Recently, Liu has worked with the ATS in developing a series of instructional DVD’s on the art of Yin Style Baguazhang.
Liu Fang (?-1985) - was the initial person chosen by Dr. Xie to inherit the system of Yin Style Baguazhang. Being Dr. Xie’s top disciple, he also instructed He Jinbao. Tragically, Liu Fang died in an automobile accident in 1985.
Wang Lihai – after the passing of Liu Fang, Dr. Xie Peiqi chose Wang Lihai to be the next lineage inheritor, but he also died at an early age.
Yin Chengzhang – was the third son of Yin Fu. He practiced the art of Yin Style Baguazhang under the guidance of his father and his top students. In fact, Yin Fu had two sons that practiced the art. Yin Chengzhang developed as the most proficient, but died early (date unknown). He, along with his brother-in-law, He Jinkui, were known for their expertise in the various weapons of Baguazhang. Yin Chengzhang did not teach many students. No additional information.
 Yin Yuzhang (1890-1950) – was the fourth son of Yin Fu. Like his older brother, Yin Chengzhang, he practiced the art of Yin Style Baguazhang under the guidance of his father and his top disciples. This branch of Yin Style did manage to survive. He was known to have trained under both Ma Gui and Zhang Shouhung in addition to his father. Yin Yuzhang wrote a book on the art and it was published in 1932. The title was simply Baguazhang. This work is currently not available in English. During the 1930’s, Yin also published a book on the use of the Baguazhang Sword. Yin Yuzhang served as an instructor at the Nanjing Central Martial Arts Academy. He taught there with other Baguazhang instructors, Huang Bonian and Jiang Rongqiao, but was the only representative of Yin Style Baguazhang. Yin Yuzhang had several known students including Liu Xiqu, Guo Zhushan (also a disciple of Cheng Youlong), and the three men outlined below.
 Pei Xirong – was a direct student of the fourth son of Yin Fu, Yin Yuzhang. Not much is known about Pei, but it is noted that he contributed great effort in developing Yin Style Baguazhang in southern China. If you can provide any additional information on Pei Xirong, please contact us.
 Jiang Haoquan (1916-present) – was born in Januaru 1916 in Chang Chou City in Kiangsu Province. From an early age he was interested in the martial arts and initially studied Shao Yao Chang with an uncle. At the age of 15, he gained admission to the Nanjing Central Martial Arts Academy. His curriculum included many of China’s martial systems and academics. Jiang graduated with honors in 1936. While attending the academy, he studied Baguazhang under Huang Bonian, Jiang Rongqiao, and Yin Yuzhang. Yin was the son of the famed Yin Fu, the second generation lineage holder of Baguazhang. Jiang defeated over ten boxers from China and abroad during the 1940’s. In the 1980’s he was appointed as the Head Coach of the Zhonhnanhai Central Guards. He also trained many other senior guards during his time in China. Jiang moved to the United States in 1989 and opened a martial arts school in Los Angeles, California. He has taught the martial arts for over seven decades and still remains active. Click here for a link to his website.
Wang Fu - was a disciple of Yin Yuzhang, the son of the famed Yin Fu. His early training has yet be be uncovered by research. Wang Fu was also the only disciple of He Zhongqi, who was the grandson of Yin Fu. He received a full transmission of He’s art and is reported to have been the only person to have done so. Wang trained his son, Wang Shangzhi, and passed on to him a full transmission of the art. No additional information.
 Wang Shangzhi - is the son and disciple of Wang Fu. His father trained under Yin Yuzhang, Yin Fu’s son, and He Zhongqi, Yin Fu’s grandson. The elder Wang received the full transmission of the teachings of He Zhongqi and passed them to his son, Wang Shangzhi. Shangzhi has produced a series of VCD’s on this branch of Yin Style Baguazhang, which include several on basic exercises, partner exercise, forms, and the Da Dao (large saber). He also served as Vice-President of the Beijing Baguazhang Research Association. Click here to view Wang’s VCD series on Jarek Szymanski’s website - scroll down.
 Cao Zhongsheng (1875-1949) - was from Cao Jia Viilage, Wu Cheng County, Shandong Province. As a teen, he moved to Beijing to seek a trade in the capital city. Cao was first apprenticed in a jade store at the age of fifteen. At that time, Cao was weak and in ill health, but started training with a fellow employee, Fu Wenyuan, in an effort to boost his strength and overcome his weakness. Fu was a student of Ma Gui and he introduced his new friend to him. The two students, Cao Zongsheng and Fu Wenyuan, would go to Ma Gui’s home to learn the art of Baguazhang. Eventually, Yin Fu met the young Cao and accepted him as a student. Later in life, the year is unknown, Cao turned to Cao Jia village in Shandong province. He started taking on students. Two of them were Chi Shixin and Cui Yunqing. Cao led his students to a major martial arts fighting competition in Shandong in 1934, in which his disciple, Chi Shixin, won the gold medal. In 1936, the Governor of Chahaier Province, Tang Yulin, invited Cao back to Beijing for the purpose of instructing himself and his son in Baguazhang. During this time, Cao accepted more students to include Zhang Dingchen, Zhang Jinchen, and Zhang Shutang. Cao’s student, Governor Tang Yulin, moved to Tianjin in 1938 and Cao accompanied him. While living in Tianjin, Cao accepted Liu Jinggui as a disciple. Lu wrote a book, Cao Style Baguazhang, in 1942. Cao Zhongsheng died in Tianjin in 1949. His method is known as Cao Style Baguazhang.
 Chi Shixin (1882-1974) – was born in Xue Guan Village, Wu Cheng County, Shandong Province in 1882. He and Cui Yunqing became disciples of Cao Zhongsheng in Cao Jia Village in Shandong, probably in the 1910’s. Chi gained a high level of skill in Cao’s methods and went on to represent his school in the 1934 Open Shandong Provincial Martial Arts Tournament.. This tournament was to test the fighting skills of martial artists in Shandong Province and Chi Shixin won the Gold Medal. He went on to teach and travel many areas of Shandong and Hebei Provinces. He died on New Years Day in 1974 at the age of 92. Identified disciples of Chi Shixin are Zhang Lie and Chen Xiaoping.
Liu Jinggui – was a disciple of Cao Zhongsheng. When Cao moved to Tianjin in 1938 he took Liu Jinggui as a student. Liu would later write and published a book on Cao’s Bagua Zhang in 1942 called Cao Style Baguazhang. No additional information.
Cui Yunqing – was a disciple of Cao Zhongsheng. When Cao moved back to his native Shandong province from Beijing, Chi Shixin and Cui Yunqing started their training with him. No additional information.
Tang Yulin –Govenor of Chahier Province under the rule of the Guomindang. Cao Zhongsheng taught both Tang Yulin and his son in 1936. He later traveled with Cao to Tianjin.
Zhang Dingchen – was a disciple of Cao Zhongsheng. In 1936, Cao moved back to Beijing from the Shandong province with the purpose of teaching the Governor of Chahaier Province, Tang Yulin and his son. During that time, he also took on several other students to include Zhang Dingchen. No additional information.
 Zhang Jinchen (1900-1983) – was a disciple of Cao Zhongsheng. In 1936, Cao moved back to Beijing from the Shandong province with the purpose of teaching the Governor of Chahaier Province, Tang Yulin and his son. During that time, he also took on several other students to include Zhang Jinchen. This branch of Yin Style Baguazhang survived and is still taught in Beijing by Zhang Jinchen’s disciples, He Puren and Li Wenzhang. No additional information.
 Li Wenzhang – was the instructor of Jia Shusen (see below under He Puren), the current President of the Baguazhang Research Institute in Beijing. Li Wenzhang learned both the Cao method of Yin Style Baguazhang and Cheng style. He trained in Cao’s method under Zhang Jinchen. Li studied Cheng Style Baguazhang under Wang Rongtang. No additional information
Zhang Shutang - was a disciple of Cao Zhongsheng. In 1936, Cao moved back to Beijing from the Shandong province with the purpose of teaching the Governor of Chahaier Province, Tang Yulin and his son. During that time, he also took on several other students to include Zhang Shutang. No additional information.
 He Puren (1925-present) – was a direct disciple of Cao Zhongsheng and also trained directly under Zhang Jinchen after Cao’s death. He taught this branch of Baguazhang in Beijing for many years. He Puren was a noted Chinese Medicine Acupuncturist. He was one of the instructors of Jia Shusen, the current President of the Beijing Baguazhang Research Institute that was founded by the late Li Ziming.
 Jia Shusen - was an inner door disciple of He Puren in the Cao Style Baguazhang, which is considered a sub-style of the Yin branch. Additionally, he trained with Li Wenzhang who studied both Cao Style and Cheng Style Baguazhang. Wang Rongtang, Mei Huizhi, and Sun Zhijun in Cheng Style Baguazhang. He was also a student ot Li Ziming in Liang Style Baguazhang. Jia Shusen is the current President of the Beijing Baguazhang Research Institute in Beijing. He has trained in many of the different branches of Dong Haichuan’s art and brings this background to the Baguazhang Research Institute to promote and preserve Baguazhang.
Cui Yuxi – was a eunuch in the Imperial Court. He was second in position only to the head eunuch, Li Lianying. Cui studied Baguazhang directly from Yin Fu. No additional information.
Yang Junfeng – was one of Yin Fu’s disciples. Sometime between 1875 and 1882, Yang got into a fight with Yin Fu’s cousin, Shi Jidong, and beat him badly. The beaten Shi came to Yin Fu and asked if he could become one of his students and study Baguazhang. Yin thought that it would not right for his cousin to kowtow to him, since they were cousins, and instead took Shi to meet Dong Haichuan. At the request of Yin Fu, Shi was accepted as Dong Haichaun’s third disciple. Yang was known by his nickname, which was Porcelain Yang. No additional information.
Ju Qingyuan – was one of Yin Fu’s disciples. He eventually moved to Tianjin and taught Yin Style Baguazhang there for many years. Ju Qingyuan was noted for his advanced skills at leg techniques. Li Ziming, more noted as being a student of Liang Zhenpu, trained with Ju during the 1920’s in Tianjin. He recounted that on one occasion that while practicing with Bagua double-broadswords that Ju ordered him to attack. Ju Qingyuan had no weapon, but the young Li Ziming could not touch him. No additional information.
 Li Ziming (1900-1993) – is more noted as being a student of the Liang Zhengpu branch of Baguazhang, but trained under Ju Qingyuan during the 1920’s in Tianjin. He published an important book on Liang Zhenpu Baguazhang titled Liang Zhenpu Eight Diagram Palm. He was the past president of the Beijing Baguazhang Association. Li Ziming was instrumental in the effort to move the tomb of Dong Haichuan to its new location west of Beijing in 1980. His most notable student in the United States is Vince Black. For a more detailed account of Li Ziming click here.
Xian Dawen – (1894-1984) had a good command of Ju Qingyuan’s bagua and taught in Beijing until his death in 1984 at over 90 years of age.
Gao Wencheng (1873-1920) - was a friend of Zhang Shouhung and they both were employed by Yin Fu as bodyguards in Yin’s secuirty business. Yin Fu trained his employees in the art of Yin Style Baguazhang to improve their martial skills, which added more creditability to his business venture in the Beijing area. Gao also trained with Cheng Tinghua and Liu Dekuan. It is not known how many students that Gao Wencheng had, but he did pass on his knowledge to his son, Gao Ziying.
 Gao Ziying (1908-1996) – studied Baguazhang with his father, Gao Wencheng. His father had been a student of both Yin Fu and Cheng Tinghua. Gao Wencheng began his Bagua training with Yin Fu when he was hired by Yin to work as a bodyguard. Although Gao Ziying retired from teaching Bagua, his three sons, Gao Jiwen, Gao Jiwu, and Gao Jiyou carry on the family system. Gao is known in Beijing for his Baguazhang two-man fighting sets. A popular sports magazine in China ran a long series of articles in which Gao detailed his two-man Bagau Zhang fighting system. In addition to the two-man fighting sets, Gao’s father taught him eight of the Lohan forms, which were part of Yin’s Baguazhang as well as a number of effective stepping methods. Gao states that Yin Fu was very fond of utilizing the “crane” step whereby the practioner would walk lifting the foot to knee level before sliding it out to advance. Gao Siying also studied with Guo Gumin of the Liang Style Baguazhang branch. His three son (listed below) carried on his teachings.
Gao Jiwen – was one of three sons of Gao Ziying. He was taught his father’s method of Baguazhang that had been passed down from his grandfather, Gao Wencheng. No additional information.
Gao Jiwu (1942-present) – was one of three sons of Gao Ziying. He was taught his father’s method of Baguazhang that had been passed down from his grandfather, Gao Wencheng, starting at the age of nine. Has a series of VCD’s that document this branch. Click here to read Gao Jiwu’s account of his training. He appears to have been the son who spread his father’s teachings to the highest degree. Gao Jiwu also served as Vice President of the Beijing Baguazhang Research Association during the term of Ma Chuanxu’s term as President. Click here for Gao Jiwu’s VCD series available from Jarek Szymanski’s website - scroll down.
Gao Jiyou – was one of three sons of Gao Ziying. He was taught his father’s method of Baguazhang that had been passed down from his grandfather, Gao Wencheng. No additional information.
Zhang Shouhung – was hired by Yin Fu as a bodyguard and trained in Baguazhang for nine years. Zhang was a close friend of Gao Wencheng, who also worked for Yin Fu. He did not teach many people and according to Yang Kun, one of his disciples, only had three students. Hopefully, more information will come to light concerning Zhang Shouhung and will be added to this page.
 Yang Kun (1912-2004) – was a student of Yin Fu’s disciple Zhang Shouhong. He began his Baguazhang training at the age of 14. His teacher was hired, along with Gao Ziying’s father as an employee in Yin Fu’s bodyguard business. Yin would sometimes hire strong men to work as bodyguards and residence guards and train them in Baguazhang after they began working for him. Yang Kun’s teacher was with Yin for nine years studying Bagua and working as a bodyguard. Like most of Yin’s students, Zhang Shouhong did not teach many people. Yang states that his teacher only had three students.Yang Kun began his Bagua training with the circle walk practice while holding static upper body postures. His teacher emphasized practicing at all three levels, or basins to gain a strong foundation. His teacher taught eight palm changes at a pace of one or two per year. Yang was required to study each palm change thoroughly and stated that his philosophy is “learn a few simple things and do them well.” He stated that once one palm change is studied completely at all three levels, “that will be enough to defeat many people.”In keeping with the Yin Fu tradition, Yang Kun himself has not taught many students. He stated that his emphasis in teaching is on Qi development and this development takes a long time. He stated that today students are interested in techniques and so they get bored with the Qi development aspects, which he stresses, consequently he does not keep many students. It should also be noted that Yang Kun trained with Dr. Xie Peiqi. Likewise, He Jinbao, the inheritor of Dr. Xie’s system and lineage holder of Yin Style Baguazhang, trained with Yang Kun as well. Yang Kun passed away in Beijing in 2004.
Kang Zhensheng – Identified as a student of Zhang Shouhung. No additional information. If you have any information or photographs that you care to share, please contact us.
Ma Youzhi – Identified as a student of Zhang Shouhung. No additional information. If you have any information or photographs that you care to share, please contact us.
Zhang Guodong – Identified as a student of Zhang Shouhung. No additional information. If you have any information or photographs that you care to share, please contact us.
He Jinkui – was a direct disciple of Yin Fu. Additionally, he married Yin Fu’s daughter and became a part of the Yin family. He was also known as He Yunxuan. As a child, He was adopted by one of the eunuchs in service to the Imperial Court. His adopted father, He Deshou worked as manager in the Chu Xie Palace and also in the Imperial Kitchen within the Forbidden City. He’s adopted father was highly skilled in the “Secret Skills of the Imperial Court” and started training with at an early age. He eventually gained a high level of skill in the art, which included empty-hand skills, broadsword, spear, staff, and straight sword. He was first exposed to Baguazhang through Cheng Tinghua, one of Dong Haichuan’s top disciples. Cheng was junior to Yin Fu, who was Dong’s most thoroughly taught disciple, and started training under him after he married Yin Fu’s daughter. At Yin Fu’s death in 1909, He Jinkui assumed his position as martial arts instructor in the Imperial Palace. He and Yin Fu’s third son, Yin Chengzhang, were both respected for their high level of skills in the weapons of Baguazhang.
 He Zhongqi – first son and student of He Jinkui, which made him the grandson of Yin Fu. He was the Director of the “Secret Skills of the Imperial Court” Department of the Hebei Martial Arts Academy during the 1930’s. This indicates that he was taught these skills by his father. “The Secret Skills of the Imperial Court” were passed to He’s father by his adopted grandfather, the eunuch He Deshou. He was an associate of Luo Wingwu, a student of Li Wenbiao of Cheng Style Baguazhang. He received poor treatment during the Cultural Revolution and did not teach afterwards. His most notable students was Liu Zhenlin and Wang Fu (he recieved the full transmission of He Zhongqi). No additional information.
He Zhongxiang – third son of He Jinkui. Little information has been determined concerning the life of He Zhongxiang, but it is known that he instructed Liu Zhenlin. No additional information.
Lu Shukui – was considered as He Jinkai’s top disciple. He was also known as Lu Kongyin. He was near the same age as his instructor and was frequently taught directly by Yin Fu. Lu was known to teach his Baguazhang at the Bei Hai Park in Beijing. He owned a restaurant near the park, which made it a natural location for training. In his later years, Lu Shukui was offered a teaching position at the Provincial Martial Arts School in Gan Su. He accepted the post and remained in Gan Su until his death (date unknown). While teaching in Beijing, his top two students were Liu Zhanbin (?-1984) and Zhang Hongji (?-1985). Additionally, Lu’s son, Lu Jinhai, studied Baguazhang under him as well. Yin Fu practitioners that are familiar with Lu Shukui’s Baguazhang and students include Lu Shuitian as one of his students. Lu Shuitain moved to Korea after the war with the Japanese and an entire branch of Baguazhang developed from his teachings. Lu Shuitian is said to have been a family relation of Lu Shukui. Lu Shukui was instrumental in the addition of the 4th Stele at the tomb of Dong Haichuan in 1930.
Liu Zhanbin (?-1984) - was considered one of the top two students of Lu Shukui while he taught in Beijing. No additional information.
Zhang Hongji (?-1985) - was considered one of the top two students of Lu Shukui while he taught in Beijing. Little is known concerning Zhang Hongji. Zhang was the son of one of Yin Fu’s daughter and cousin to He Zhongqi and He Zhongxiang. He is noted as one of the instructors of Zhu Baozhen. No additional information.
Lu Jinhai - was the son of Lu Shukui and also studied Baguazhang from him. No additional information
 Lu Shuitian (1894-1978) - was born in Shangdong Province in 1894. He moved to Korea during the Sino-Japanese War to provide safety to his family. He started a branch of Baguazhang and taught a young Korean named Park Bok Nam. Park moved to the United States and became an early force in the popularization of Bagua in the country. Lu Shuitian rarely discussed his lineage with any of his students. Through research by a number of people a possible connection was eventually made with Lu Shukui, but this has never been confirmed. Lu Shuitian’s Baguazhang does not have many of the elements common within Yin Style Bagua and appears to have more of a Cheng Style flavor. Lu died by accident in 1978 when he was overcome in his sleep by a malfunctioning gas heater. He was strong and vibrant at the time of his death.
 Park Bok Nam (1942-present) – was born in Korea in 1942. At the age of twenty-one he began training under Lu Shuitian, who had moved to Inchon, Korea during the Sino-Japanese War. Park trained under his Baguazhang instructor for fifteen years. Unlike other students, Park focused all his heart and time into learning Baguazhang and gradually learned the system. Lu’s method of teaching can be described as rigorous, but comprehensive. Park endured the training and started teaching the art in 1970 with Lu’s approval. He immigrated to the United States in 1987 and settled in Richmond, Virginia. There he established his first school in America, but since that time has expanded to other regions. Park was one of the early leaders in promoting Baguazhang in the United States and still actively teaches. He authored two books on the art and produced a number of videos that outline his branch that are entitled The Fundamentals of Pa Kua Chang. In 1991, the Korean Kung Fu Association erected a new stele at the tomb of Dong Haichuan, which is known as the Korean Stele. This monument states the lineage of Baguazhang in Korea and lists both Park and his instructor, Lu Shuitian. Click here to view his website.
 Gong Baotian (1871-1943) - was a native of the Shandung Province, being born in Mouping City. Gong was described as being thin, but had a stormy disposition. His martial arts movements were described as pure, cruel, and quick. Gong’s older brother, Gong Baoshan, was employed as a guard in the Ching Palace in Beijing’s Forbidden City and was also a student of Baguazhang. There was roughly thirty or forty years difference in their ages. Gong Baoshan introduced his younger brother to Yin Fu. Later, the elder Gong transferred the guard position to his younger brother, Baotian, and returned to their native Shandung Province. There he established a Baguazhang school and began transmitting the art to local practitioners. Gong Baotian, being the younger brother, stayed in Beijing and worked as a Royal Bodyguard. He attained the high forth rank and was authorized to wear the yellow robe of that rank. In 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion, Gong reportedly lead an army through Fukien and Kuantung. Afterwards, he left his position in the Imperial Guard and became a security escort, still working for the Imperial Family. Gong’s nickname was “Monkey Gong”. He became skilled in Tien Hsueh and the Inserting Fist. It is said that he trained in Baguazhang, within the walls of the Imperial City, under the instruction of Yin Fu. Due to the custom of the time, he was hindered in leaving the Forbidden City and associating with his martial brothers that lived outside in the city proper. After spending his entire career in the service of the Emperor, he retired and was able to visit his Bagua brothers that lived outside the walls of the palace. Upon reviewing their skills, Gong decided that their Baguazhang was much different from what he learned and in order to avoid conflict and disputes returned to Shandung. Gong is reported to have had legendary leaping skills, which were described as quite beautiful. It is said that Gong lived in a house in the village with two floors, but without a set of stairs. He reportedly could leap to the top floor when he was seventy years of age. His brother, Gong Baoshan, who had established six Baguazhang schools in Shangdung, died of the plague. His disciples considered the younger Gong as their second instructor and continued to practice under his guidance. While both the Gong brothers were students of Yin Fu, their Bagua was quite different. Gong Baozhan was tall and strong, his martial skills were heavy, powerful and stable. Gong Baotian was small, thing, and looked weak, but his Bagua was light, flexible, vivid, supple and almost feminine in nature. Both were excellent fighters, but due to their physical characteristics were very different in the manner that they employed their skills. Gong Baotian had few students and other than the ones that are outlined below were Gong Yuzhai, Gong Guanyi, Gong Shuang, Gong Yunjian, Ho Tianguo, and Li Shinhe.
 Liu Yunqiao (1909-1992) – was a noted student of Gong Baotian. Liu was a native of Jitao Village, Cang County, Hebei Province. He was a Nationalist Secret Agent, and retreated with the others to Taiwan, when the Nationalists lost the war on the mainland in 1949. He was the last and the best personal student of Li Shuwen in Baji; and also a personal student of both Gong Baotian and Ding Zicheng. In order to preserve the vast Wushu knowledge kept by himself and many of his compatriots, he started the Wu Tan Organization. A powerful warrior and an enlightened teacher, his nicknamed the Old Taoist. Liu was highly respected in the martial art community in Taiwan. Liu taught Baguazhang in Taiwan until 1991 just prior to his death. His students have spread his teachings to the United States and abroad. Liu’s most noteable students are Su Yuchang, Adam Hsu, Liang Jici, and Yang Shuton (a.k.a. Tony Yang). Click here for an excellent account of the life of Liu Yunqiao.
 Su Yuchang – is the president and founder of the Pachi Tanglang International Martial Arts Association. As a disciple of the legendary masters of Chinese martial arts Chang Tekuei, Wei Hsiaotang, Li Kuenshan, and Liu Yunqiao, Su has been teaching Chinese Gong Fu for over 40 years. He is the author of seven books on Chinese martial arts and philosophy, as well as nine instructional videos. His traditional Baguazhang lineage stems from Dong Haichuan, Yin Fu, Gong Baotian and Liu Yunqiao. Su has many students who teach around the world. He was Tony Yang’s instructor in Praying Mantis Gongfu and introduced him to Liu Yunqiao.
 Xu Ji / Adam Hsu – born in Shanghai, China and emigrated to Taiwan where he spent twenty-five years studying with several of the most highly respected martial art instructors on the island. He considers the late Liu Yunqiao as his principle teacher. Mr. Hsu earned a master’s degree in Chinese literature and has taught the subject at the Taiwan Normal Universtity. He is a well-known author with hundreds of books and magazine articles to his credit. In 1978, Mr. Hsu moved to the United States where he has been teaching traditional Chinese martial arts in the San Francisco area. He founded the Traditional Wushu Association in 1990, which is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and modernization of traditional gong-fu. Click here for his website.
Liang Jici – He is more than 60 years old and currently lives and teaches in the city of Boston in the United States.. Not much is known about Lina Jici, who was the most senior student of Liu Yunqiao. It is reported that Liang avoids the limelight and enjoys his obscurity. No additional information.
 Yang Shuton / Tony Yang - is of Chinese descent, born and raised in Taiwan. He has been studying martial arts for over 40 years. His specialties include Baji, Praying Mantis, Tai Chi, Hsing-I, and Bagua. He began studying at age 6 under the instruction of his uncle, a martial arts master. He learned Northern Shaolin and three-section staff. During high school he studied Tang Lang Quan (Praying Mantis Kung Fu). He then moved to Taipei and became a student of Su Yuchang, of the Praying Mantis system. It was Su who introduced Yang to Liu Yunqiao. For two years, he studied under both teachers and then became solely a student of Liu. During this time he practiced Tai Chi, Baji, Praying Mantis, and various weapons. He also received personal instruction from Liu in Bagua, Pigua, Mizong, Baji and numerous weapons. He moved to the United States in May 1980 and opened a martial arts school in Akron, Ohio. He is well-known as a specialist in Bagua Deer Horn Knives. Click here for his website.
 Gong Baozhai (1900 - 2004) - was a direct disciple of Gong Yuzhai, a disciple of Gong Baotian. At an early age, he learned from a martial brother who had been a student of the elder Gong Baoshan. Yuzhai learned the heavy and strong manner of practice from him. Later, he studied directly under Gong Baotian, and learned the lighter, more flexible manner of the art. Gong Yuzhai rarely associated with martial artists from outside his village. Due to this, he knew little about other transmissions of Baguazhang. He had many disciple to include: Gong Baogin, Wei Shaofu, Chin Hontai, Zhong Shianwein, Zhong Daiwei, Cui Shangwei, Jassy Chang, Michael J. Suen, Chou Eugen, Gong Banyan, Huang Jiaxun, Chou Eshang, Tu Kunyii and He Jinghan.
Li Baosen - was a disciple of Yin Fu. Research has yielded little on this practitioner. Hopefully, future informations will be found and will be added to this sketch. His methods of Yin Style Baguazhang used the eight main palms. Li Baosen is known as the instructor of Zhang Qinglian.
Zhang Qinglian (1905-1984) - was a disciple of Li Baosen. He learned the eight palm method from his instructor. Research has yielded little else on Zhang, but he is noted as the instructor of Xu Shixi.
 Xu Shixi (1942-present) - was a disciple of Zhang Qinglian and learned the Yin Style Baguazhang method handed down from Li Baosen, a direct disciple of Yin Fu. He also learned Taijiquan from Tian Xiuchen and Feng Zhiqiang. He has also studied the works of Chen Zhaokui. Xu Shixi teaches in Beijing and is found every morning at Tian Tan Park. Click here to view his website. [Source of his bio and photograph is his website.]
 Zeng Xingsan (1862-1951) - was a well-known Manchurian scholar that worked in the Palace of Prince Su. He trained Baguazhang under Yin Fu, but was eventually introduced to Dong Haichuan. Zeng was very highly educated and achieved the second highest level of status within the Imperial system of that era. Given his advanced understanding of Chinese classical works and philosophy, Zeng merged the theories and principles of the I-Ching with the combative martial art of Baguazhang. He and Dong Haichuan were reported to have had many discussions on the principles of Baguazhang. Zeng authored a text on the combination of the theories and principles of I-Ching and Baguazhang called Bagua Zhuan Zhang Hui Lan. That text is unpublished and is in the care of Professor Kang Gewu, a noted modern martial scholar in Beijing. Zeng’s work outlines many interesting facts concerning this system. One is that Dong Haichuan initially called his art Zhuan Zhang (Rotating Palm). Later, Dong changed it to Bagua Zhuan Zhang, which was further shortened to Baguazhang. Zeng lost his position in the Prince Su’s Palace in 1911 when the Qing Dynasty fell. It was during this time that he started compiling the information that he had learned from Dong Haichuan and Yin Fu into the above stated manuscript. Additionally, this work contains the first time that the 36 songs and 48 methods of Baguazhang were put into print. Zeng’s handwritten text was passed to his friend, Guo Gumin, who later shared it with his junior martial brother, Li Ziming. His work was thus saved for prosperity.
Cui Zhendong (1849->1935) - was a direct disciple of Yin Fu. Like his instructor, Cui eventually gained employment as a martial arts instructor in the Imperial City. While Yin Fu assumed the position of his mentor, Dong Haichuan, at the palace of Prince Su, Cui became the instructor of the Imperial Guard assigned to the Princess Dowager. It is unclear on the exact dates, but can be assumed that it was after the collaspe of the Qing Dynasty, Cui moved to Shanghai. He was one of just a few Baguazhang practitioners that moved to Shanghai, which included Jiang Rongqiao, Chen Weiming and Gong Baotian lineages. Cui’s branch became known as Wuji Baguazhang. His most notable students were Ji Jinshan and William E. Fairbairn.
Ji Jinshan - was a disciple of Cui Zhendong. Ji gained a high level of skill in Cui’s Wuji Style Baguazhang. He became well-known in the Shanghai martial arts community. His helped to popularize Bagua in Shanghai and taught many students. Ji was also noted for his Wu Xing Qigong method. He was incaraerated for a period of time, but the details are not known. Click here for a video clip of Ji Jinshan. Additional information is welcome.
 William E. Fairbairn (1885-1960) - was born on February 28, 1885 in Ricjkmansworth, England. He joined the British Royal Marines in 1901 and served six years to include service in Korea. At the end of his enlistment, Fairbairn joined the Shanghai Municipal Police (SMP) in Shanghai, China. He developed an excellent repetation as a fighter and developed several new bayonet techniques while in the Royal Marines. During his service with the SMP, Fairbairn was involved in over six hundred violent encounters. He eventually rose to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of the SMP by his retirement in 1940. He studied Baguazhang under Cui Zhendong while being stationed in Shanghai during the 1910-1920 time period. Fairbairn also studied under Professor Okado in Japanese Jujutsu. Combining these two classic martial arts with practical street experience gained during his service with the SMP, he developed a western martial system called Defendu. This system was geared for police use, but Fairbairn later developed a more combative method that he instructed to British and American Commandos during World War II. He was well-known for his knife fighting skills and developed the famous Fairbairn-Sykes Commando dagger, which is still popular today with Special Operations Units. Fairbairn authored several books on his combative arts. He died on June 20, 1960 in England. He is considered by many as the father of western military comabtives. Click here for an excellent article on William Fairbairn.
Other known students of Yin Fu were Liu Qingfu, Tian Ziqian, Wang Zhi, Li Zhangshen, Liu Dongchen, Liu Jinyin, Jin Zengqi and Rong Shi. Unfortunately, research has yielded little more than their names. If further information is discovered concerning them, it will be added to this website.
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He Jinghan
