Grandmaster
Li, Cun Yi
Li, Cun Yi
(1847-1921)
Li Cun Yi was born in Hebei Province in 1847. Also known as "Single
Saber" Li, he first studied Chang Quan (Long Fist), until his interest
in the martial arts led him to seek out new teachers.
When Li was in his
late twenties, he went to meet the renown Xingyi Quan teacher Liu Qi Lan
who
accepted him as a student. He eventually became one of Liu Qi Lan's best
Xingyi students. He also traveled to Beijing and studied with his
friend Cheng
Ting Hua, a top student of Dong, Hai-chuan, founder of Bagua Zhang.
During the early
1890's Li formed a bodyguard and escort service and hired skilled martial
artists to work for him. In addition he hired and trained courageous young men
who showed an aptitude for the fighting arts.
When the Boxer Rebellion began in 1900, Li joined
the fight, personally leading many men into battle. Earning his nickname
by wielding his single saber, he fought so hard his shirt sleeves
turned red with blood. It was said that enemies fled the field upon his
approach. However, Li Cun Yi's childhood friend and martial arts brother
Cheng Ting Hua lost his life during the Boxer Rebellion.
After the founding of the Republic
(1911), he was central in establishing a martial arts curriculum in public
schools, and the following year helped in founding a Chinese Boxer's
Association in Tianjin.
On gentleness in forms Li Cun Yi said: '...The forms and movements seem
to be without force. Even to an expert observer the body looks soft and
forceless and the movements appear to be light as a feather with unity
of the internal and external. There is no visible expression of power
anywhere in the body.'(1)
Through his work with various associations and published books, Li spread his teachings to thousands of people. Though he did not think highly of money, he emphasized righteousness, loyalty and martial virtue. Li Cun Yi died in 1921 at the age of 74.
1. Translation by Huang Gou Qi, Pa Kua Chang Journal Vol. 4, No. 3
On gentleness in forms Li Cun Yi said: '...The forms and movements seem
to be without force. Even to an expert observer the body looks soft and
forceless and the movements appear to be light as a feather with unity
of the internal and external. There is no visible expression of power
anywhere in the body.'(1) Through his work with various associations and published books, Li spread his teachings to thousands of people. Though he did not think highly of money, he emphasized righteousness, loyalty and martial virtue. Li Cun Yi died in 1921 at the age of 74.
1. Translation by Huang Gou Qi, Pa Kua Chang Journal Vol. 4, No. 3
