Gu Ruzhang

Gu Ruzhang (Chinese: 顾汝章; pinyin: Gù Rǔzhāng; Cantonese Yale: Gu Yu-jeung; 1894–1952) was a Chinese martial artist who disseminated the Bak Siu Lum (Northern Shaolin) martial arts system across southern China in the early 20th century. Gu was known for his expertise in Iron Palm hand conditioning among other Chinese martial art training exercises. He has become a legendary heroic figure in some Chinese martial arts communities.[1][2]

Gu was a son of Gu Lizhi (顾利之), an adept of Tantui and Zhaquan and security and escort businessman (at the time, a common business for martial artists in China). Gu Yu-jeung inherited by his father's colleague Yán Jīwēn (嚴機溫)aka 嚴繼溫 the 10 North Shaolin routines, several weapon routines, and martial qigong techniques such as Iron Palm, Iron Body and Golden Bell. By such skills he was selected by the Central Guoshu Institute to teach Northern martial arts to the South as one of the "Five Southbound Tigers".

Gu also learned Zhaquan from Yú Zhènshēng (于振聲); Yang Taijiquan and Bajiquan from Li Jinglin (李景林); and Baguazhang, Xingyiquan from Sūn Lùtáng (孫祿堂).

Exploits

Major events in Gu’s life are difficult to verify, as many of his achievements have been made legendary and may have been subject to gross exaggeration.

Gu was photographed breaking twelve un-spaced bricks with one strike.[3] He entered the first National Wushu Fighting Examination and placed in the top 15 competitors. He was also an instructor for the Guangdong Armed Forces.[1]

According to legend, Gu, in the same spirit as the folk hero Huo Yuanjia, defeated foreign fighters who viewed the Chinese martial arts as an inferior system of fighting.[4]

KYC using his iron-palm skill won back the fame of Chinese against a disrespect of a Russian circus horse—kicked everyone down from stage as these Chinese were attempting to win a bonus of letting the horse lie down. KYC palm-struck on its back and it lay down, with a severely damaged backbone, and died the next morning. KYC told the Russian owner he was not taking any money from him.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 "A Legendary History of the northern Shaolim Style". Harmonious Fist Chinese Athletic Association. Archived from the original on July 23, 2008. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
  2. ↑ Ching, Gene. "Bak Sil Lum vs. Shaolin Temple #2". Kung Fu Magazine. Retrieved 2008-04-26.
  3. ↑ "Questions-Answers Series". Shaolin Wahnam Institute. Retrieved 2010-04-17.
  4. ↑ "Northern Shao lin, the 32nd Anniversary of Kuo Yu Chang's Death". Jing Mo Athletic Association. Retrieved 2008-04-25.
  5. ↑ "Grandmaster Ku Yu Cheung | CFCWA - Kung Fu and Tai Chi School | Winston-Salem, NC". www.cloudforestchinwoo.org. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
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