Rake Fist or Eight Extremities Fist?

Bajiquan is my favorite kung fu style. I loved it so much, I almost listed it as the top kung-fu style. However, Pai Mei‘s explosive combat application earned it the top post. But make no mistake, Bajiquan is just as effective.

What is bajiquan? Bajiquan is a Northern martial art who is unlike most Northern styles in the sense that it does not rely on long fist and high flying kicking techniques. Instead, its few kicks are low and its punches are vertical.

Bajiquan was known as ‘Baziquan‘ in the past. Literally ‘rake fist‘ because its loose clench hands resembled a rake. Today the spelling has changed to emphasize the eight cardinal directions and Chinese traditional medicine eight limbs. Also, the Chinese theory that all body parts, including mind and spirit, are connected.

Originated in Mengcun County in Hebei Province (North China), Bajiquan is not a ‘Shaolin‘ style per se. There is no five animal form (the black tiger form is prominent, though) and the horse stance is higher. Much higher.

Unlike most Chinese traditional martial arts, Bajiquan is not flashy. Actually, its movements are quite frugal.

Bajiquan is well-known inside and outside China as “the bodyguard style” because it was the martial art of the Emperor’s elite guard. From Pu Yi (last Chinese emperor) to Chiang Kai-Shek to Mao Zedong, Bajiquan made sure to protect them.

Bodyguards are special enforcement officers tasked to protect high ranking officers. Therefore, we should ask, what makes Bajiquan so effective for protection?

Fast, Direct, and Fatal

If I have to describe Bajiquan in three words, it would be fast, direct, and fatal.

If Pai Mei‘s signature move is the “phoenix-eye” punch, Bajiquan’s signature move is the rising elbow strike from a horse stance.

For a kung-fu style named after eight limbs, they seem to favor the elbow over the other seven.

Also, the open palm which is used to push. Shoving and bumping are not only allowed but encouraged in Bajiquan.

Of course, these are not the only techniques. There are also grappling, blocking, striking and joint lock techniques.

Bajiquan is a combat-focused art with both internal and external forms. Its essence is minimalistic. Indeed, a minimal movement which builds incredible power.

Finding the shortest, quickest route to the opponent while not telegraphing our movement. Granted, that also applies to other kung fu styles like Wing Chun and Xing Yi Quan. But Bajiquan makes a virtue of it.

By the way, Bajiquan in China is usually taught alongside Piguaquan (they are considered complimentary styles), and Baguazhang (which makes sense since they both focus on the number eight).

For these reasons, it is easy to comprehend why this style is tailor-made for bodyguards. When you are trying to protect other people the object is not to fight to the death but to push aside the attacker and disable him or her quickly before it can do harm.

Big in Japan

For some strange reason, Bajiquan is more popular in Japan than its native China. Quite surprising given the historical rivalry among both nations.

In Japan, Bajiquan is known as ‘Hakkyokuken‘ which also means eight extremities fist.

Moreover, from the manga Kenji about a boy whose main character practices Bajiquan to video games, the art is represented and recognized by the Japanese population.

Speaking of video games, it seems every fighting video game franchise has a Bajiquan specialist.

From Shenmue to Death or Alive‘s Kokoro; from Street Fighter‘s Yun and Yang to Mortal Kombat‘s Li Mei.

Not to mention Virtua Fighter‘s poster fighter Akira Yuki.

There was a Hong Kong kung fu film released in 2013 called The Grandmaster which features a bajiquan fight scene you can watch here.

Despite its heavily stylized, with special effects fight choreography, and those two surreal flying kicks, it is close enough to the actual art.

Bajiquan is big in Japan and we should be thankful for promoting this wonderful martial art since China’s policy of promoting only wushu and disregarding the traditional Chinese arts is threatening most traditional styles’ survival.

If like me, you learned about Bajiquan through video games, welcome.

Power and Efficiency

What makes Bajiquan special? What makes it stand out among the hundreds of Chinese martial styles? Two words: power and efficiency.

Imagine smoothly transitioning from an upper stand to a cross stance, then a horse stance while pushing your opponent away. Or punching him with all your might. Better yet, finishing with a rising elbow strike to the chin.

Palm strike to the face followed by a hammer fist to the side of the head.

A kung-fu style which is neither circular or fluid but linear and forceful. Almost karate-like. No wonder is a hit with the Japanese.

Chinese martial arts are mostly for self-defense and combat. But sometimes we do not fight to protect ourselves. Sometimes we fight to protect others.

Some kung fu styles were born in the battlefield to fight assassins and bandits. Other kung fu styles were born behind in small rural villages not to fight but to protect.

I love fighting and sparring. I rather use my skills to protect. Hence why I love Bajiquan.

For some Bajiquan applications and techniques watch this really exciting video of Grandmaster Yue teaching Bajiquan. You will learn to appreciate its practicality in a confrontation.

Reader, are you familiar with Bajiquan? Are you a fan? Do you feel it is overrated? Share your opinions in the comments section.

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