Kagami Biraki 2016

Below are some photos of demonstrations of internal martial arts I was able to provide in 2016, including weapons practices from Bagua and Tongbei.

Ba Gua Chun Yang Jian ( 八卦純陽剣 ) or "Bagua Pure Yang Sword". The English translation of Chung ( 純 ) can mean "pure" or "completely" or "entirely" and Chun Yang ( 純陽 ) is a reference to Lü Dongbin ( 呂洞賓 ) who is revered as one of the members of the group known as the Eight Immortals, and is commonly depicted wearing a sword. Lü Dongbin's literary name is Chunyang Zi ( 純陽子 ) or "Master Pure Yang", which is what the form's name derives from — pure, complete, entirely transformed. This variant of the form itself likely dates back to the mid to late 19th century and is likely arranged by Liu Dekuan.

Tian Gang Dao, 36 star form of long sabre is a form passed down within Baiyuan Tongbeiquan and this weekend was the first time he has taught this form publicly. It has 36 techniques taught in 13 sections and dates from the mid 18th century. Zhang Yun’s Tongbeiquan lineage includes Li Shusen (1902-1975), who trained with Li Zhendong (1882-1977). This Tian Gang Dao form is the form taught by Li Zhendong, who taught members of the Chinese 29th Army sword skills during the Sino-Japanese War.