Baji Quan

Baji Quan is a Chinese internal martial art (sometimes considered to be partly external), It's name translates as "Fist of Eight Extremes". It is a sister art to Pigua Zhang ("Chop-Hanging Palm").

Despite being an internal art, it is hard and unrelenting. Consisting of attacks that arise in short and succinct bursts firing the fists, elbows, shoulders and to a lesser extent the legs.

This style is very earth oriented (looking at it from a go-dai perspective). It requires lots of low stance training to build the leg muscles and establish the practitioner's root. The most fundamental exercise for achieving this is the horse stance. The increased blood flow in the legs increases the fighter's jing (sexual/physical energy). The Baji-man grips the ground hard with his feet turning his entire body deep into the attack which climaxes with a horrifically powerful blow. The stomp that cracks the sky and shakes the ground stabilizes the body for a moment of stillness where no friction in the body can be felt.

Baji is old school Wushu in its purest form and due to this fact, what was once a renowned and feared style has faded into obscurity. It is a boxing method forged during times of war. I once saw a martial artist on a message board relate how hot-blooded the Baji Quan players he met were. This seems understandable to me, through my own experience in developing the earth chakra I've felt just that. Its part of the emotional shadow that rises with the increase in sexual energy.

Although the authenticity is arguable, one place you can easily see Baji in action is in Virtua Fighter 4, it is Akira's style. Its listed as Hakkyokuken, that is a Japanese translation of Baji Quan.

Emperor Qianlong said: "Scholars have Taiji to calm the world, warriors have Baji to steady heaven and earth."

Another Wushu proverb says: "For ministers, Tai Chi is used to run the country and for generals, Baji Quan is used for defending the country."

Baji boxing and Piqua, spirits and ghosts all fear.

Piqua boxing and Baji, all heroes only sigh for they cannot reach the invincible level.