Chuojiao ( Feet Poking Chuan)
By admin on 2014-12-18

Chuojiao originated in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and became popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). It is said that Deng Liang created the Chuan on the basis of the 18 basic feet plays. He developed the basics according to calculations of the Chinese abacus to form a chain of feet plays incorporating 108 tricks. It was passed on to Zhou Tong who taught Song Dynasty General Yue Fei who became revered as the founder of the school. As some of the outlaws described in the classic novel Outlaws of the Marsh were specialists in feet poking, it has been known as the water margin outlaw school of Chuan.

Chuojiao, or feet poking boxing, is one of the oldest boxing styles practised in North China. It is known for its range of footwork and kicks. Chuojiao originated in the Song dynasty (960-1279) and became popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). It is said that Deng Liang created the boxing on the basis of the 18 basic foot patterns, developing these basics according to calculations of the Chinese abacus to form a chain of footwork incorporating 108 techniques.

It was passed on to Zhou Tong, who taught Song dynasty general Yue Fei who became revered as the founder of the school. As some of the outlaws described in the classic novel Outlaws of the Marsh were specialists in feet poking, it has been known as the Water Margin Outlaw School of boxing.Shi Dakai, a leader of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (1851-1864), was known for his scholarly and martial arts abilities. He taught his top skills of the jade ring and mandarin ducks techniques to his selected soldiers in training.

Volume 20 of the Unofficial History of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, recounts how Shi's soldiers fought Qing dynasty troops. Standing in front of the enemy line with their eyes covered by their hand, they then jumped back 100 steps. When the enemy came close, they used both feet to kick the enemy soldiers in the stomach or groin. If the enemy soldiers were stronger they doubled their kicks and turned their rings simultaneously to defeat their enemy.

Another legend recounts that General Zhao Canyi of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom went into seclusion in Hubei where he spread Chujiao throughout the province. By the end of the Qing dynasty Chujiao had spread from Heibei to Shenyang in northeast China. This style of Chuokiao falls into two categories - martial and scholarly routines. Wen Tang, is "scholarly strategy", and Wu Tang is "martial combat."

In Wu Tang, there are more high kicks, and big, open movements. Attacks are straight and direct, focusing maximum power into the strike. Wen Tang sets has lower kicks, with shorter movements and quick direction changes. The martial routine of Wu Tang features powerful, accurate blows and incorporates a number of subtle foot techniques. A typical one is called Yu Bu or rabbit's back kick. Chuokiao footwork also relies heavily on cat stances. The scholarly routine, Wen Tang, is derived from the martial routine by boxer Hu Fengshan of Shenyang; his style is known as the Hu-style Chujiao, characterised by compact stances and varied movements. The martial-scholar tumbling boxing combines the strengths of both routines.