Home page＞What is "Zhuanzhang"? ｜History and combat theory ~ index page

What is "Zhuanzhang"? ｜History and combat theory ~ index page

(This page was updated on December 19, 2024.)

"Zhuanzhang" was born during the turbulent times at the end of the Qing Dynasty and is a decoy guardianship martial art intended for use by the weak. When it was first established, it was not influenced by the Bagua Yin-Yang theory, and its name was simply "Zhuanzhang".

Its fighting style is based on thorough mobile guerrilla warfare. This allows it to be used against many people, against strong opponents, and against weapons. Another major feature is that it is composed of simple and straightforward techniques that are based on the assumption that weapons such as sticks can be used as weapons.

The Bagua Yin-Yang theory and operational concepts for winning modern rank-based matches were added to this simple technical system, and it changed into the currently known "Bagua Zhang" that is dazzlingly elegant, sophisticated, and theoretically advanced, and is used against one person, attacks from the enemy's side, and is based on the assumption that it is used by strong and experienced people such as men.

The techniques introduced here are the "Zhuanzhang" that was established around the end of the Qing Dynasty, and the "Zhuanzhang-style Baguazhang", which is Baguazhang reorganized based on the theory of "Zhuanzhang".

Fighting against a large number of people is not an unrealistic way of fighting. After becoming familiar with the single-change palm theory against the enemy's body and the forward-shift palm theory against the enemy's body, it is quite possible to survive by using distance control, lightning-force turning attacks, and withdrawal tactics at the right time.

In other words, the basis of the "Zhuanzhang" fighting style is to aim to "stand to the end by dealing with the enemy by sliding diagonally backwards and sliding in front of the enemy" rather than "defeating the enemy". It can be said that this is a fighting style based on a reverse idea derived from the resigned assumption that it will be used by the weak.

There are no dojos in the world that openly teach Baguazhang traditions based on the "Zhuanzhang" and "Zhuanzhang" technical system. Those who are interested in this Baguazhang-based guardian martial art should refer to the techniques introduced here and, when the opportunity arises, take instruction at the "Baguazhang Water Style Hall" in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan.

The history, core techniques, and combat theory of late Qing Zhuanzhang-style Baguazhang

The history of late Qing Zhuanzhang-style Baguazhang | The reasons for the establishment of "Zhuanzhang" and the transition process to modernization and technical system

The location of the Qing Dynasty royal court

Late Qing Zhuanzhang-style Baguazhang is Baguazhang that retains the technical system of "Zhuanzhang", the prototype of Baguazhang at the time of its establishment around the end of the Qing Dynasty.

When Baguazhang was first established, it did not have a theoretical framework such as the Baguazhang Yin-Yang theory, and its name was called "Zhuanzhang," and it was completely different from the Baguazhang that is in vogue today.

Therefore, the composition of the techniques is not limited to the number "8." There are only three basic techniques: Single Huanzhang, Double Huanzhang, and Seizhang. Using the technical principles that make up these three basic techniques, it is a simple training system that manipulates swords, long sticks, and double short sticks (double daggers). There are no new forms (composite forms) in weapon techniques.

When the early disciples who were taught by the founder, Dong Haichuan, moved around China, one of them passed it on in some way to my teacher's ancestor, and the "Zhuanzhang" technique, which was originally established and has the major feature of a diagonal backward slide, was passed on to Mizuno, the representative of the Baguazhang Water Style School.

I have studied the Chuanzhang-style Baguazhang, a technique used by weak practitioners in the late Qing Dynasty, with passion and time that rivals any other practitioner. The content has been examined many times from various angles. With that in mind, I would like you to learn about the history of Chuanzhang-style Baguazhang in the late Qing Dynasty on this page.

Go to the page "History of Chuanzhang-style Baguazhang in the late Qing Dynasty | Factors behind the establishment of "Chuanzhang" and the transition process to modernization and technical system"

"Zhuanzhang" style Baguazhang combat theory ~ Qing Dynasty guardian martial art of decoy escort with momentum

Image of momentum

The most important thing in "Zhuanzhang" and "Zhuanzhang style Baguazhang" is to maintain momentum. "Momentum" is the one and only element that allows "Zhuanzhang" to achieve the purpose it sets forth as a martial art.

In other words, "Zhuanzhang" is a martial art of momentum.

Today, many dojos and instructors say from their own perspective that "Baguazhang is important in XX." The most commonly mentioned things are "spirals," "irregular attacks," and "flexible walking."

These do not apply to the "Zhuanzhang" that was established at the end of the Qing Dynasty.

Elements such as "spirals" that deal with the enemy at hand were important in the process of abandoning the mobile guerrilla style and becoming the modern martial art of Baguazhang, which is designed for one-on-one combat, use by strong opponents, and competition with other styles.

In this page, I would like to explain the theory of combat from the perspective of how to maintain "momentum," the most important element in "Zhuanzhang," the original form of Baguazhang; how to use "momentum" to create the possibility of survival in combat against many people, strong opponents, and weapons; and why "momentum" is indispensable as a guardian martial art.

Go to the page for "The Baguazhang Combat Theory of "Zhuanzhang" Style - Qing Dynasty Guard Martial Arts for Decoy Escorts Using Momentum"