There are three mystic mountains in China famous for martial arts.

The first is Songshan (lofty mountain) in Henan Province, home of the legendary cradle of all martial arts and Zen Buddhism, Shaolin Temple. The second mountain is Wudangshan (martial deserving mountain) in Hubei province. Also written as Wu-Tang San, this mountain is considered by many to be the birthplace of Taijiquan. But what of the third martial mountain? Although she is cherished in China, this mountain is not nearly as famous in the West as the others are yet, but her reputation is rising. The third martial mountain of China is O-Mei. O-Mei Mountain (also written as Emei) is situated in Sichuan, the largest province of China with a population of almost 100 million. Sichuan is more commonly known by its old spelling, Szechwan, famous for its spicy hot cuisine. Her capital city is Chengdu (successful metropolis), also known as Jincheng (brocade city) from its eminence in the silk brocade trade. Chengdu alone has a population of 3 million, with another 6 million in the surrounding suburbs. But only an hour drive away from this monstrous city is one of China's most sacred mountains, O-Mei. The O of O-Mei means "high." Mei means "eyebrow" as in Bai Mei, the infamous "white eyebrow" betrayer of Shaolin Temple. Since "high eyebrows" are considered very beautiful to the Chinese, O-Mei can refer to a beautiful woman. It is also used to describe the crescent-shape of the moon. O-Mei is considered one of China's famous Four Buddhist Mountains, but is also heavily influenced by Taoism. Rising to an altitude of 10,200 ft., this majestic natural wonder evokes the days of yore with its inspirational vistas and time-honored temples. It is said that a traveler can experience all four seasons while hiking from foothill to summit up the mighty O-Mei and that in certain areas, the rainbows will follow your shadow. From this timeless peak arose some of China's most powerful kungfu. The Kungfu of O-Mei Mountain Situated in the western mountainous regions of China, China's sovereignty over Sichuan was often disputed throughout past dynasties. This elicited a long-standing history of war over the province, which developed an extensive tradition of kungfu. During these difficult times, many individuals retreated to the mountains, either to repent from past killing or to avoid going to war completely. Many brought with them an assortment of different styles of kungfu from all across China. The scenic beauty of O-Mei Mountain made it home for many temples. By the 14th century, there were as many as 100 temples and thousands of monks residing on the pristine mountain. It was the ideal refuge for many warriors weary of the world. Due to O-Mei's heavy Taoist influence, several indigenous longevity practices and qigong methods already existed within the monastic establishments. With the constant influence of kungfu refugees, combat skills merged with Taoist Qigong and philosophy to form the roots of O-Mei's style. The other two martial mountains, Songshan and Wudangshan, are associated with external and internal kungfu respectively. Although Shaolin kungfu has internal practices, it is more renown for its external kungfu because it focuses on conditioning the body, developing physical power and expressing an outward manifestation of strength. Likewise Wudangshan kungfu has some external methods, but its reputation stands as the home of many internal or soft styles of kungfu and qigong. O-Mei emphasizes both internal and external methods equally. Unlike Shaolin and Wudangshan, OMei does not have a single dominant philosophy. She is not centrally organized, so its martial arts have naturally grown to be more diverse. O-Mei kungfu is reminiscent of Wudang philosophy melded with Shaolin techniques, although some consider it to be a little closer to Wudang due to the heavy Taoist influence. O-Mei kungfu is composed of over 200 different styles of kungfu, collected over the last 2000 years. And it is still growing. She still absorbs styles from all over China. Following the 1937 Sino-Japanese war, many northern Chinese grandmasters ended up in Sichuan. They brought with them an assortment of different fighting styles, expanding the breadth of O-Mei kungfu within this century. More recently, noted master Wang Su-Tan of Hebei province brought Bajiquan (eight extremes fist) to Sichuan. Now Bajiquan is part of the curriculum of some of O-Mei's top masters. Furthermore, all the local Sichuan folk kungfu styles are incorporated as part of the O-Mei tradition. Sichuan has many indigenous styles, such as a famous twelve-stance Zhong Qigong and Ziran Men. Ziran Men (nature gate) was created by a Sichuan master, a dwarf named Xu, who taught renowned master Du Xinwu of Hunan province. It is said that O-Mei kungfu can be divided into five pai and eight men. Pai means school or system; Men literally means gate, but in kungfu it refers to a specific school or lineage, often the result of reformations in a method by a revolutionary master. One Pai may include several Men, but not the other way around. The five Pai are Huangling Pai (emperor's clothes), Dianyi Pai (point), Qingchen Pai (named after a place), Tiefo Pai (Iron Buddha) and Qingniu Pai (black cow.) The eight Men are mostly named after family surnames; they are Zhen Men (monk), Yue Men (after famous Song General Yue Fei), Zhao Men, Du Men, Hong Men (red), Hua Men, Zi Men, and Hui Men. O-Mei is also famous for its sword method, as well as Sun-clan fist, Du-clan fist, Huolong (fire dragon) and its monkey and eagle imitative boxing.

Mystic mountain monasteries tend to guard their secrets jealously. For generations, many of O-Mei's kungfu styles were taught in secret. But today, perhaps as a result of China's Open Door Policy, the secrets are getting out. All around OMei, kungfu schools are sharing the mountain's treasured arts. Several noted O-Mei masters have already immigrated to the West, including Wushu Champion Lu Xiaoling and Eagle Style Master Luo Li. Now, two generations of O-Mei masters have immigrated together, a father and son duo, Grandmaster Chen Jian and his son, Tony Chen.

The undiscovered styles of Emei

The scenic area of Emei has long supported one of the most colourful ecosystems in the world, revered in history by wandering Daoists for the medicinal value of the herb and plant life, and more recently, recognised by UNESCO as a protected World Heritage Site. And yet, what we know about Emei mountain is contrasted sharply by what we do not know about Emei martial arts. Unlike the wash of information about popular styles like Tai Chi or Xing Yi that overwhelms martial artists in the west, Emei wushu has not benefited from the same exposure in the west. A 'brief' history of the Sichuan Province The Warring States period (481-221BC) provides us with some of the earliest records of martial arts in the Sichuan region. Bronze weapons and porcelain figurines excavated in Emei Shan City and nearby Leshan city indicate an established martial tradition in the area strongly linked with the military. Not surprising, given that it was during this period of political turmoil that the indigenous Ba and Shu cultures were overcome by the conquest of the neighbouring Qin empire, which eventually went on to reunify the disintegrated Zhou kingdom almost 100 years later under the rule of the 'Tiger of Qin', Qin Shi Huang Di. Military activity of this sort was to become a recurring theme in the Red Basin of Sichuan for the next two thousand years. The Qin base of power was aligned strongly to the western regions of China. Troubled in the north by the nomad tribes, in the east by the old feudal states and in the southeast by the unconquered coastal regions around modern day Fujian province, the areas around modernday Sichuan provided the Qin empire with its economic foundations. Man-made advances (like the Cheng Du canal system constructed by Li Ping in the 4th century BC), the area's natural resources (iron ore and salt was available in abundance) and its physical location (proximate to major trade routes to India and the west, and on a major tributary of the Yang Zi river) all contributed to Sichuan's central role in the early Chinese dynasties. The borders of the Chinese empire were soon extended under the Emperor Han Wu Di (14187BC), which in Sichuan resulted in an extension southwest towards Tibet. Contributing to the eventual collapse of the Later Han dynasty, agricultural and industrial productivity rose in the Sichuan region in response to imperial encouragement to fund the western expansion of the empire, which, along with other political factors, resulted in the destabilising power balance reflected in the Three Kingdoms period (221-265AD). At the turn of the new millennium, the Sichuan region found itself swiftly becoming the battleground for the major religious philosophies that have shaped China's history. In the first century AD, Buddhism was conveyed via the Silk Road from India to China. First settling in Sichuan and subsequently finding a spiritual home on Emei mountain, the doctrine of individual salvation rapidly established itself among the Chinese people who may have

become tired of the austere and demanding Confucian mores. The Puxian school of Buddhism that initially won over China offered a powerful end to the realities of daily suffering and the complex iconography was equally attractive to a populace excluded from the semi-feudal ceremonies of the imperial court. Throughout the 3rd, 4th and 5th centuries, numerous temples were built on Emei devoted to Buddhist teaching and across China, the philosophy began to take hold. In 399BC the Chinese missionary Fa Xian travelled to India to retrieve and translate Buddhist texts and in the early 6th century, two Indian preachers arrived at the imperial court - Paramartha initially, followed by Bodhidharma (Da Mo) in 527AD. Da Mo of course is recognised from the Shaolin Temple legend, where he was reputed to have created the foundations for Shaolin martial arts. The indigenous Daoist religion around Mount Emei and Sichuan was seriously wrong-footed by the onset of Buddhism. Emei Shan had originally been a Daoist hermitage, made famous by the legend of the Yellow Emperor, who was said to have visited Emei mountain to learn and practice Daoism. Emei offered isolation, a strong and abundant natural herb and plant life and a perceived connection with the mysterious and immortal deities of the west and so was popular with Daoists. The legend of Lao Zi passing through the Qin borders into the west held so much appeal precisely because of the mysticism associated the lands beyond the western fringes of China's rule. Yet at this point Daoism still existed primarily as a philosophical school loosely associated with peasant magicians, so the rapid uptake of Buddhism, aided by an established host of icons and deities, was a massive threat. Around the late 1st century AD, the famed Zhang Dao Ling established the Zhengyi Meng Wei sect of Daoism on Calling Crane Mountain in northern Sichuan, also known as the 'five bowls of rice' school. This alternative title may be a reference to the ancient Chinese ideal of 'five generations in one hall', emphasising the importance of family and longevity in Chinese society and highlighting the expectation that a Daoist must be familiar with magic and internal alchemy to prolong life. The church founded by Zhang Dao Ling was the first organised Daoist community and many of the Daoist pantheon worshipped today spring from this era (such as the Queen Mother of the West, an immortal integral to the classic novel Journey to the West), representing one of the major branches of Daoism in existence today. It is entirely likely that this school grew in direct opposition to the Buddhist expansion in that area. Sichuan Daoism never fully recovered from the Buddhist emergence as the dominant religion in Sichuan or on Emei. After a Chinese mission to India in the 9th century AD, commissioned by the Song emperor Zhao Kuang Yin, the monk Ji Ye was authorised to teach what he had recovered from India on Emei mountain, alongside the building of new temples and cultural artefacts. The Giant Buddha at Leshan saw completion in the 9th century as well, and by the 10th century, a committee had been established by the imperial court to oversee the Emei area and its many cultural and religious properties. Emei mountain is now regarded as one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains of China, but is also sometimes referred to as the 7th heaven of Daoism in China, reflecting its status behind the five major Daoist peaks and Mount Wudang. Alongside the religious conflict played out in Sichuan, the area has been characterised by the many faltering empires that have chosen Sichuan as a 'last post' against their antagonists. In legend, the Yellow Emperor retreated to the area during his war with the eastern Emperor Chi You, and eventually triumphed using what is thought to be his own invention, a compass,

when a sandstorm erupted during the Battle of Zhulu. In 755AD, the Tang emperor Xuan Sung (also known as Ming Huang - the Brilliant Emperor) was forced into an abject retreat after a coup led by An Lu Shan captured the capital at Zhang An almost unchallenged before his return to power. Five hundred years later, as the Mongol hordes invaded China from the north during the 13th century, the Southern Song dynasty formed a resilient battle line in northern Sichuan that was eventually overcome in the brutal Mongol onslaught. The idea of escape to the west was not one reserved only for disheartened philosophers. In more recent times, Sichuan has not seen the same economic and industrial expansion afforded to the eastern coast of China, where trade and the western (American and European) influence has fuelled development. Emei mountain itself is now a major tourist attraction, predominantly for the internal Chinese market, attracted by the scenery and cultural relics. In 1982 the Chinese government registered Emei as a 'Scenic Area', before applying for its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995. Although the area still retains some of its famous bio-diversity and one of few surviving panda communities (semi wild) anywhere in the world, the rapid pace of development has irreversibly damaged Emei in particular. The development of Emei Shan city, and the various construction projects on the mountain itself, including a cable car and abandoned mini-railway, forced a member of the Chinese Daoist Association, Zhang Hua Ne, to remark: "Holy mountains are meant to be hard to climb, arduous to explore, for in that struggle lies humility. To build cable cars is not just to disturb the natural balance, it is to deprive us of a sense of awe." The martial arts of Emei The martial arts of Emei, despite a tumultuous history stretching back over two-and-a-half thousand years, have remained one of the great unknowns for western martial arts enthusiasts. Landlocked by Tibet to the west, Yunnan to the south and Shaanxi to the east, the Sichuan province did not experience the same mass coastal emigration at the onset of Communist rule in the early 20th century that helped popularise many Fujian styles in Europe and America. Neither did it benefit from the same state sponsorship that saw the Song Shan Shaolin Temple launched in the 1980's as official ambassador of Chinese martial arts to the western world. Legend holds that the creator of Emei martial arts was the powerful female Daoist sage Jiu Tian Xuan Nu. Her exceptional skill was in wielding a straight sword typical to many Daoist wushu styles, which led to a local sword heritage called Xuan Nu Sword. Many researchers feel strongly that Emei martial arts were created by a woman because of this, and also because of another rare weapon style, the hairpin, which points to a female creator. Yet the idea that a single person could be responsible for the creation of what is seen as a regional product is not held in high regard, much in the same way as the idea that an individual could claim heritage for a regional cooking style. Many believe, more reasonably, that Emei martial arts were a product of the regional Ba and Shu culture and the constant flux of travellers, traders on the Silk Road, Daoist and Buddhist pilgrims, criminals in exile, bandits, imperial officials and invaders. Certainly, many martial artists in Emei claim that there are well over 2500 'styles' in the Emei repertoire (the Chinese sometimes use the word 'style' as roughly equivalent to a 'pattern' or 'form' in English.), including free hand, weapons and techniques. Emei martial arts are said to feature movements suited for the small frames of the Sichuan people, incorporating deceptive movements and close range strikes appropriately.

Famous stylists from the area have included Si Tu Xuan Kong, who was better known under the name Bai Yuan Gong (White Ape Man). Credited with the invention of Tong Bei style, which mimics the movements of a monkey to flail the arms like whips, he was also famous for a sword style which was studied by the emperor's wife, Yue Nu. Another famous stylist was the semi-legendary Bai Mei Dao Ren (White Eyebrow Daoist), who lived during the Southern Song dynasty. Known as a powerful martial artist, he was called upon by the imperial court to put down martial artists who opposed the emperor, including some Shaolin stylists (which is why there are many legends that claim Bai Mei was responsible for the destruction of the Southern Shaolin Temple.). Bai Mei martial arts became popular in Guangdong province and have subsequently travelled to the west, although not in large numbers. Emei martial arts researchers inevitably credit the influence of Daoist internal practices on wushu in the area. The Yellow Emperor was said to have practiced and taught the practice called 'San Yi Wu Ya', which uses yin and yang and Five Elements theory to develop inner essence, whilst many local people believe that Zhang Dao Ling was the first person to develop Daoist sexual practices and martial arts exercises for health. The Wushu Scholar team, while privileged to have travelled to the Emei area and observed a number of exceptionally professional wushu schools and stylists, believes that we have barely scratched the surface of a martial tradition that has developed in one of the most thriving and colourful regions of China.

ErMei Style Kung Fu

ErMei is the site of the first Buddhist temple constructed in China. It is one of a number of important and beloved mountains in China. The other two, Song Shan (hone of Shaolin) and WuDang (supposed birthplace of Tai Chi) are famous indeed among martial artists. A third mountain range, O Mei (or E-Mei or ErMei) is also the home of martial styles, though branches far more famous in China than outside. In Buddhism it is considered one of the four major mountains and is also sacred to Taoism.

ErMei is situated in SiChuan (SzeChwan) province also home to a world-famous cuisine. Its peak of 3099 meters above sea level makes it the tallest in the Si Chuan valley. SiChuan itself is the largest province in China and its capital city, Cheng Du, is well known in martial circles. ErMei is said to be the site of the first Buddhist temple ever constructed in China, preceding by centuries the home of Shaolin. It is therefore considered a Buddhist mountain with many temples but Taoism, too, has woven itself into ErMeis history.

As far as Kung Fu ErMei is, to an even greater extent than either Song Shan or WuDang Shan, a COMBINATION of styles without a specific core style. Over 300 styles have been practiced in the ErMei region with styles like BaJi and PiGua being added to the list gradually. Some styles, like Tzu Ran and Jou Tui (Soft Push) originated in SzeChwan then spread through other parts of China. While some call Shaolin a style that moves from hard to soft and Tai Chi a style that moves from soft to hard Ermei is said to start fifty-fifty and retain that in its training. There are so many styles in ErMei that they fall into some main categories. In our collection series you will see the effect of this with the so-called Five Sects (Pai) and Eight Doors (Men). Door in Chinese can also be used to represent a branch of a Sect. Other styles that used this designation are, for instance, Wing Chun PAI (Eternal Spring Sect) and Ba MEN (Eight Branches Boxing) or JIAO MEN (Islam Teachings Branch.

ErMei has many weapons sets represented through its plethora of style. These include examples such as Li Bai Shi Yi Jian, Emei Spear, Emei Sword, Emei Saber, and others. Of all of these the most famous weapon associated with the mountain area is the EMei Ci or EMei Needles which are metal pieces thick in the middle and tapered at the ends each with a finger ring in the middle loose enough to spin the shafts. Associated with water combat the needles were constructed so warriors could swim open handed without fear of losing their weapons. The Main Sects (Pai) of ErMei are: Huang-Lin (Emperors Clothes) Qing-Cheng Pai after a famous Taoist Mountain (see our series on this style ) Tie-Fu Iron Buddha Dian-Yi Pai Point Strike Qing-Niu Black Cow The main Sects (Men) of Ermei are: Zhen: (Monk) Yue : General Yue Fei (see YUE Family boxing)

Sha Du Hong Hua Zi Hui

Examples of the Styles of ErMei: Hui Style ( is a popular form of Wushu from Sichuan, in Sichuan it is known as one of the Four Small Families, and it is also called Hui MenSect Boxing. These Guan Shi Mo Xiang exercises engage the Yi (intent) and Qi (energy) while paying particular attention to The hands following the mental changes, method coming when the hand emerges; namely with consciousness directing the four limbs, and the four limbs actualizing the attack and defense. This style of boxing uses a higher stance and an empty stance (cat) as its most typical position. Fist Sets include Headwind, Following Wing, Rolling Doors and Passing Wing along with Soft Hand Five Element Boxing. At the end of the Qing Dynasty, there were many religious secret societies among the people, this form of boxing was very influential, scaring not a few with its superstitious character. Nowadays not many people practice this method.

Other famous styles include Sun Boxing, Du Boxing, Huo-Long Fire Dragon (See series) Monkey Boxing, Eagle Boxing. There is one branch of Ermei known as ErMei Shaolin and now encompasses forms lost from the Henan Temple such as Tian Gan (Big Dipper), Qi Xing (7 Stars), Hei Hu (Black Tiger) Tian He (Heavenly River), Fei Long (Flying Dragon) and Ba Fa (Eight Methods). There is also a Taoist inspired branch of ErMei which, according to here say, was created by Wang Lo Dao who visited Wu Dang and brought back some of the inheritance left by Chang San Feng, legendary

creator of Tai Chi. This, known as ErMei Wudang Nei Jia Quan (E Mei Wu Dang Internal Family Boxing) has five forms for hands and one for staff. A very old sect of ErMei developed in the Sung dynasty (1127-1279) is Shi Er Zhuang (ErMei 12 Postures) supposedly created by Buddhist priest Bai Yun (White Cloud) who amalgamated Taoist principles, Chinese medicine and Buddhist philosophy into a Chi Kung type regimen with 12 steps as its core.

As its name suggests, the Emei School of Kung Fu originated from the Emei Mountain, a famous Buddhist Centre in Southwest China's Sichuan Province. It is sometimes listed alongside Shaolin and Wudang as one of the three major schools of Chinese Kung Fu. But it is different from the other two in style. Shaolin boxing, whose emergence and development have been related to Buddhism, is characterised by leaps and falls and other vigorous, sweeping movements; Wudang exercises, which are of Taoist origin, emphasise the use of gentle movements against forceful ones; while the Emei school, which is said to be younger that those of Shaolin and Wudang, has assimilated the strong points of the two. In terms of theory, the Emei School advocates the combination of movement and stillness, and of internal and external exercises. It lays stress on both fitness building and the acquisition of practical skills for combat. It requires its follower to cultivate good moral qualities and use his combat skills mainly for defence. Here are the 7 categories of boxing styles belonging to the Emei School : 1. Fire Dragon Style (Picture 1) Different stories are told about the origin of this kind of boxing. One story says that it was invented by a daughter of the late Emperor of the Ming Dynasty in collaboration with Gu Tinglin, a surviving adherent of the overthrown dynasty, while another says that it was evolved by an old Kung Fu master after observation of the fighting between two big monkeys in Emei Mountains. A third story goes that during the Qing Dynasty an 80 year old elder of the Buddhist monastery in the Emei Mountains

used this kind of boxing to fight a triumphant battle against suppressive Qing soldiers, following which its name spread far and wide. A set of Fire Dragon Boxing consists of some 160 movements, mostly in the form of quick twists and turns of the waist and hips aided by nimble footwork. The exertion of force is based on qigong, by which one's vital energy is summoned up. In actual combat much attention is paid to taking advantage of an oncoming force exerted by the opponent. Index and middle fingers are used to attack vital points on the opponent's body so as to get the better of him. The beginner can harden his index and middle fingers by practising on a sandbag.

2.

Dragon Style (Picture 2) Dragon Boxing, imitating the movement of dragons, is totally different from Fire Dragon Boxing, which in fact has little to do with this fabulous creature. Devoid of the twists and turns characteristic of Fire Dragon exercise, Dragon Boxing movements are firm and steady as befits the majestic-looking figure of the legendary dragon, which is regarded by the Chinese as a symbol of national dignity. "Sword" Boxing (Picture 3) This type of boxing is so named because the performer does the whole set of exercise with the middle and index fingers of each hand pointing forward like a sword. He never jumps or somersaults, but frequently lunges forward to spring surprise attacks on the vital points of the opponent's body after making a lot of decoying moves. A whole set of routine contains 60 or 70 major movements and is completed at a stretch within less than two minutes.

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Bazi Boxing (Picture 4) Bazi was the name of a state existing 2,000 years ago in the eastern part of what is now Sichuan Province. Bazi Boxing has long enjoyed popularity among the Sichuan people. Its routine is short but vigorous, consisting of simple movement with clearcut rhythm. Though its movement do not have very large amplitude, it can however be used effectively against opponents who show great swing in their actions. Leg movements generate attacking force, and arm action is accentuated by a turn of the waist. The exerciser assumes a natural posture, moving his hands and legs in perfect harmony. He breathes in such a way as to impart immeasurable strength to his movements. Ziwu Boxing (Picture 5) So named because Shendeng, an eminent monk in the Emei Mountains who invented it, usually practised it during zi (midnight) and wu (midday) hours. When using this kind of boxing in combat, attention is paid to attacking the centre line of the opponent's body and defending that of one's own. Emphasis is laid on the following points: 1) Dodge the opponent's attack and look for a chance to hit back; 2) When the opponent has got hold of you, press your shoulder against his body and try to get the better of him with a clever move; 3) Switch over to offensive by means of holds and infighting methods; 4) Apply the breathing method of exhaling when attacking and inhaling when retreating; 5) Give full play to your speed and skill.

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Emei Plum Blossom Boxing (Picture 6) There are many kinds of plum blossom boxing. The Emei type evolved by Sichuan's Zhao Beitao amalgamates the strong points of several varieties and acquires an easy flowing style of its own. The whole set comprises more than 100 movements which are distinctly of offensive and defensive nature, and is performed at a stretch of within 2 minutes. It is said that Zhou Beitao had spent a whole winter working under plum trees before he succeeded in creating this style of boxing. Hence the name Emei Plum Blossom Boxing. Five-Tiger Boxing (Picture 7) This kind of boxing is reminiscent of the fierceness of the tiger, the "King of animals". Based on five postures of a tiger now tearing down a mountain, now charging right and left, swivelling around and sitting down with head held upright, a set of Five-Tiger Boxing contains 60 major movements done with immense vigour and clear rhythm, and with perfect co-ordination between fists and legs. It can also be practised between 2 persons.

7.

The Kung originating Fu of Buddhist Temple EMEI, located in the province of Sichuan to the southwest of China, both evokes the combination and fusion of older systems:Shao Lin and Wu Tang of which their exercises, movements and routines are reflected of the combination of the external forms with the internal ones of the Kung Fu, making the movement with the calm, the speed with slowness, the hardness with the smoothness, the deep practice of the internal system in the expression of the techniques with a root in the external forms totally different from both systems before mentioned, where the medical instructor must cultivate his spirit first to be able to obtain the perfection of his mind soon and the one of his body.

From the Emei system or O-mei comes numerous styles of Kung Fu which such fulfill philosophical principles and of development, but different between its styles, thus we have a form of the Kung Fu Emei of the style Fire Dragoon that evokes the perfection of the movements in form circular in all its techniques and requires much of the torsion and contorsin with the use of the emptiness for the use of the circular forces centripetal and centrifuges to neutralize the opponent, like a winged Dragoon that skirts in the wind water, earth and fire. The Emei Temple in China is called "Temple of the Sky" by the characteristics of being denominated sacred Mountain where they practiced and secretly practice sophisticated styles from long ago where were 200 styles that that were disappearing with the time because of the hermetic owns kungfu Kungfu Emei discovers the internal-external mystic of mountains of the Province of SiChuan, China, this Mountain is considered sacred and they favor all climates to him in diverse heights, coexisted Buddhist temples there and Taoists in harmony during years and hundreds of styles was developed secretly from long ago last of generation in generation until some were lost in the time Emei Martial Arts.(article) Emei is famous in China for numerous rare and mysterious martial arts that developed there from the Gongfu (Hard work over time) of Daoist, Buddhist and also laymen. Daoist temples were first erected on this mountain in the eastern Han dynasty (200 B.C.). Later Mount Emei became one of the holy Buddhist Mountains when Buddhism flourished in the Tang dynasty (800 A.D.). At one time over one hundred temples were operating simultaneously. Buddhist and Daoist monks lived in harmony practicing meditation, healing arts Daoyin (Yoga) herbalism and the various modalities of their spiritual practices. Even today there is left behind in the museums a great wealth of poetry, literature, painting and medicinal knowledge as well as martial arts that developed on Mount Emei. Martial art methods came collectively to be called the Emei Wushu school. Many of the arts blend the training methods, sparring techniques, hand forms, and weapon forms of both Buddhist and Daoist styles into one. Traditional Emei Wushu is both Buddhist

and Daoist in nature as well as a mixture of internal and external martial arts. At the same time, the Emei school has extracted the essence of Shaolin, Wudang and other schools of Northern China. Many famous body guard families and military men have also visited the Mountain to learn martial arts and later developed their own styles from the eclectic methods that flourished on Emei. In this way hundreds of "hidden" styles many of which were taught only to member of a family or clan were created thrived and later disappeared. hrouded in Mystery. Being mysterious has always been the perception of many people about Emei Wushu. That is because the Emei Wushu has never been readily passed on to "outsiders." There is an old Chinese saying, "Shandong province has highwaymen, Hebei province has Wushu experts, and Sichuan province has the men of Emei chivalry." This means that these three provinces produce top quality Wushu talents. However, the Emei chivalry man is mysterious and is similar to the Chinese legendary Yuxia (Knight Errant) who like Chinese robin hoods performed only good deeds and keep their methods hidden from the eyes of the profane. A few of the rare "hidden" styles are said to still exist in and around this mysterious abode of Daoists and Buddhists. Like a huge river having many tributaries, the Emei Wushu school has many branches. Each branch has its own distinctive styles in sparring, weaponry and hand techniques. A few of these methods include:Emei Snake - There are three sets of Snake forms in the Emei school. The first one emphasizes Qinna (locking) and the pressure points techniques, the second one on the wrestling techniques, and the third one on striking techniques. All techniques are required to be executed swiftly, accurately and ferociously. Monk Xu Kun taught the three snake forms to Mr. Liang, Zhi-Xiang. Master Liang, Shouyu of Canada is a direct inheritor of this system. Tibetan Cobra Boxing - Another style of snake boxing, Tibetan Snake Boxing (Coiling serpent) is part of the Li family Daoqiquan style and was developed by Lama Zurdwang near the area of Emei Mountain. Dr. Painter is a direct inheritor of this rare method of ground fighting.

White Eyebrow - Founded by Daoist monk named Bai Mei (White eyebrow), this branch is characterized by hard and explosive short movements. Bai Mei is also famous for being capable of almost supernatural feats of skill with Baguazhang methods of mysterious origins. Emei Dragon : The Green Dragon form by Monk Dan Zhen of Chunyang cave at Mt. Qingcheng. the Swirling Dragon form of the Green Coat Palace in Chengdu, the Black Dragon form by Priest Ji Shan of Fuhu Temple, the Plum Blossom Dragon form by Nun Wu Mei, the Fire Dragon form by Daoist monks Shen Deng and Qing Xu, the Golden Dragon form. Emei Tiger - The Emei school has many different Tiger forms. Some of them are:

the Hungry Tiger Snatching Food form, the Five Tiger form, the Tiger Roar form, the Black Tiger form, the Tiger Claw form, the Fuhu form the White Tiger form. WuJi Form - This form is a blend of Daoist and Buddhist martial arts. Like Taijiquan it is soft, yet dynamic. It stresses the use of internal Jin and applications. There are two sets of Wuji form. One set develops power and "explosive" jin . The other set is mentioned in history books; no one has claimed to know it yet. This form is only known by a handful of masters and it is taught to pupils who are carefully selected by the masters. Emei Sword Fairies - This branch, founded by Hui Yun, is based on Daoist and Buddhist Xiu Sheng Shu (the art of life or

essence enhancement). There are numerous Qigong exercises, fist forms and weapon forms. Emei Baguazhang. A controversy still smolders over the existence of a true Emei Baguazhang system. Some historians claim there is no Emei Baguazhang apart from the art developed by Dong, Hai-Chuan in Beijing and imported to the Mountain. Others claim that the Daoist monk who reputedly taught Dong was a member of the Dragon Door Daoists. This sect that had many branches throughout China some of them at Emei Mountain. They developed a circle walking meditation based on the Yijing over 2,000 years ago. As we have said before, "History is a pale shadow of the truth," no one knows for sure and Dong would not admit where he learned his art. Many of the systems of Baguazhang on Mount Emei and there are numerous forms of the art, appear to have stemmed from Yin Fu a famous disciple of Dong, Hai-Chuan.

Famous Emei Baguazhang Styles. Among the Baguazhang forms found in the Emei Wushu portfolio of martial art are: Shengmen Baguazhang - (Generation Door Bagua) Based on the use of the Yi (mind intent) and the Yijing theory. Sengmen Baguazhang - (Monk Family Bagua) This branch is also known as the Buddhist branch. It is characterized by high stances. Imported by Shaolin monks to Emei this was part of a larger system of Shaolin Wushu. You Shen Baguazhang - (Swimming Body Bagua) Specializes in neutralizing energy, withdrawing and dodging methods. One famous Emei Baguazhang master on Emei was Li, Zhangye, titled "the Longevity Monk," of the Emei Meeting Fairies Cave. Li was exceptionally good in You Shen Baguazhang. At the age of 108, he admitted his last disciple, Lui, Zijian, to

his school. Lu was also the student of Yin Fu the famous Baguazhang master a student of Dong, Hai-Chuan of Beijing. Lu later joined Shaolin and Wudang schools. At the age of 91 years old and he was still very quick in his movements. That the above methods of Baguazhang can be traced to Dong's students still does not prove that other methods of circle walking and Yijing based martial systems did not live in family and private styles practiced by Emei Daoist and Buddhist monks. Even today reliable sources report to have witnessed a group of Daoists who nightly practice the Nine Palace circle walking and Rotating in Worship of Heaven Baguazhang exercises on Emei Mountain at a secluded spot near the White Cloud Temple.

Emei Jiulong Baguazhang. The Li family's Jiulong Baguazhang system said to have been conceived by Li, Ching-Yuen while living in the Emei Mountain region is like many other martial art and Qigong methods created by laymen and secular Daoists. It was seldom taught to anyone other than to the Li male family members until after 1956. This classifies it as a family system. Like many other methods Jiulong Baguazhang being a family style it is not often included in the official lists of the publicly taught Emei Wushu Baguazhang methods as practiced by the Emei Wushu Association. This fact makes Jiulong Baguazhang no less an Emei martial art as its principles are thought to be derived from the Yijing and the Daoist sect who either taught Dong, Hai-Chuan or from the very Daoists whom legend says taught Li, Ching-yuen directly. It is historically unclear if Jiulong Baguazhang is a branch of Dong, HaiChuan's method imported to Emei Mountain by disciple of Yin Fu or if it stems from the Dragon Door Daoists that predate Dong, HaiChuan. In any case we can clearly say that the principles and method as they came into the Li family of Sichuan apparently originated from the mysterious Emei Mountain.

Portions of this article by Dr. Painter were excerpted from a copyright article in IAM Magazine, Winter 1991 entitled : Emei Wushu by Liang, Shouyu and Troy Kuan