Yiquan

Yi quan, also known as Dacheng quan, is a martial art system founded by the Chinese Xingyiquan master Wang Xiangzhai (王薌齋).

History

YiChuan, "Yi" meaning Intent, (but not intention), "Chuan" meaning to grasp that which has been scattered.

Having studied Xingyiquan with Guo Yunshen in his childhood,Wang Xiangzhai travelled China, meeting and comparing skills with masters of various styles of kung fu. In the mid-1920s, he came to the conclusion that Xingyiquan was often taught wrong, with too much emphasis on 'outer form', neglecting the essence of true martial power. He started to teach what he felt was the true essence of the art using a different name, without the 'xing' (form). Wang Xiangzhai, who had a great knowledge about the theory and history of his art, called it "Yiquan" (意拳) In the 1940s one of Wang Xiangzhai's students wrote an article about his "school" and named it "Dachengquan" (大成拳), which means "great achievement boxing". This name was not used by Wang Xiangzhai. Wang thought the name was a poor choice as it was boastful and not very descriptive of the intent.