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The Da Qiang
Author: Fukui Yang
Xingyiquan is famous for its explosive power, or "Fali," and the long spear, or Da Qiang, is a critical training method. Xingyi is an internal system, although it is often practiced at moderate and fast speeds. Many external stylists arc also attracted to Xingyi, probably because of its obvious speed and power, although few Waija or Neija students ever get beyond this level. Xingyi has a deeper level as well, where the transmission of power is not quite as obvious. Hard force which is seen at the basic level, or in Xingyi competitions, is termed "Mingjin." Force that combines the hard and soft within it is the next level, and is called "Anjin." The feeling of impact if one is hit with "Anjin" is deeper and more penetrating, almost like a cluster bomb, first an initial explosion, followed by a rapid second, deeper impact. The third level, or "Huajin," is called the ''Mysterious Energy." It relies far less upon physical force and more upon qi, either to reroute or block the opponent's qi circulation. It is the highest level of Xingyiquan and requires substantial training and practice.
Why then begin an article on a Xingyi long weapon with a discussion of Xingyi internal practice? Because the long spear aids significantly in the development of explosive, internal power. Xingyi has a multitude of weapons. In my family's lineage, we have the Xingyi broadsword, straight sword, staff and standard length spear, as well as the double hook swords. We also have numerous 2-person sets or "Dueilien Taolu" to help us practice the application of the weapon on an opponent; also there is Taolu enabling us to utilize internally-based weapons against external weapons. The way to generate external power of weapons is somewhat different from generating internal power. AAy maternal great-granduncle, Zhai Xujin, learned his Xingyiquan from the great Zhang Zhaodong in Tianjin China. Master Zhang was a student of the famous Bagua founder of Baguazhang, Dong Haiquan. Zhang was also a student of Liu Qilan, a training brother of Guo Yunshen. Liu [earned and taught Zhang Xingyiquan in Shen county, the home of many famous martial artists in Hebei, including Guo Yunshen and Cheng Tinghua. As my family was also from Shen county, Zhang felt a kinship with my great granduncle and taught him Xingyi weapons as well as the fist sets. I cannot be sure if there was any difference between what he was taught and what was passed down to my brother and myself, from my granduncle.
Spear Your Energy
The long spear, however, is somewhat different from all of our other weapons. It is not used primarily for fighting, but for building one's Fali. It is a highly efficient training aid, not only for fighting, but also for Xingyi push hands, weapons and empty hand practice. While Taijiquan and Baguazhang also possess long weapons sets in their repertoire the Xingyi Daqiang (Xingyi Long Spear) is perhaps the most extensive.
In Daqiang practice, both the basic movement practice and the two-man form manifest a large number of techniques and movements. The movements of the Daqiang are large and often spiralic. Neither of our two Daqiang sets are completely linear in stepping, such as in the 5 elements and 12 animals practice. The two-man sets often veer off in multiple directions in their execution and require a large space to practice.
The Daqiang (long spear) itself should minimally have a 10-foot length of wood base and 1.5 foot metal spear head. The head maybe of a standard type or of a "snake" shape as the latter creates more damage in penetration and removal from the body of the opponent. Made of Chinese waxwood or white oak/ it takes about 12 years to grow a tree to the adequate length to be used for a long spear. In China the Daqiang is also called the "Zhang Ba Shi Mo' or "The Eight Pace Spear Tassel" referring to the red tassel at the base of the blade.
The practice of the Daqiang is supplemented by practice of the "Dagwun." The Dagwun or long staff, is much heavier with a wider diameter than the Daqiang. The movements are smaller and more simple; they are practiced in a straight line and resemble the movements of the Wuxing, or 5 elements fists of Xingyiquan. As one might imagine due to its weight the movements are very hard to execute. It takes on an average of 25 years to grow a tree that is adequate in weight and diameter. Unlike the spear, where the wood base can be fully grasped by the practitioner the circumference of Dagwun butt is larger than the hands. This helps build up the grasping power and qi in the fingers. Both of these weapons require use of the whole body, not just the arms to move them and clearly express Fali. If one uses the arms alone no matter how strong one may be without utilizing the whole body to move the weapon the movements will inevitably be sloppy in execution.
Generate Your Qi
The Daqiang is utilized not only to generate power but also more importantly to generate qi or energy. One's goal is to be able to conduct the energy to the end of this very long spear cleanly and rapidly. The Daqiang and Dagwun are certainly not light weapons but feel heavier because many of the movements are generated by holding the end of the weapons' base which have a heavy, long ever arm. The practitioner must be sufficiently rooted and be able to show the clean execution and expression of energy with each individual movement.
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