Gu Ruzhang or Ku Yu-cheung (; 1894–1952) was a

Chinese martial artist Chinese martial arts, often called by the umbrella terms kung fu (; ), kuoshu () or wushu (), are multiple fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in Greater China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common ...

who disseminated the Bak Siu Lum (Northern Shaolin)

martial arts Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defense; military and law enforcement applications; combat sport, competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; a ...

system across southern China in the early 20th century. Gu was known for his expertise in

Iron Palm Iron Palm or Iron Hand (Chinese: wikt:鐵, 鐵wikt:掌, 掌wikt:功, 功) is a body of training techniques in various Chinese martial arts. It is originally one of the 72 arts of the Shaolin temple. These conditioning techniques are typically m ...

hand conditioning among other Chinese martial art training exercises. He has become a legendary heroic figure in some Chinese martial arts communities. Gu was a son of Gu Lizhi (), an adept of

Tantui Tan Tui () may refer to a particular style of Chinese Martial Arts (commonly called Kung Fu or Gung Fu (), but more accurately called Wushu () bearing the name Tantui, a form(s), set(s) or routine(s) – popularly known by the Japanese term Kat ...

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 ()aka 嚴繼溫 the 10 North Shaolin routines, several weapon routines, and martial

qigong ''Qigong'' (), ''qi gong'', ''chi kung'', ''chi 'ung'', or ''chi gung'' () is a system of coordinated body-posture and movement, breathing, and meditation used for the purposes of health, spirituality, and martial-arts training. With roots in ...

techniques such as Iron Palm, Iron Body and Golden Bell. By such skills he was selected by the

Central Guoshu Institute The Central Guoshu Institute () was established in Nanjing by the Kuomintang government of the Republic of China in March 1928 for the propagation of Chinese martial arts, and was an important center of martial arts during the Nanjing decade. ''Gu ...

to teach Northern martial arts to the South as one of the "Five Southbound Tigers". Gu also learned Zhaquan from Yú Zhènshēng (); Yang Taijiquan and

Bajiquan Bajiquan () is a Chinese martial art that features explosive, short-range power and is famous for its elbow and shoulder strikes. Its full name is kaimen ba ji quan (). Origins Baji quan was originally called bazi quan ( or ) or "rake fist" ...

from

Li Jinglin Li Jing-lin, also known as Li Fangchen (1885–1931) was a deputy inspector-general and later army general for the Fengtian clique during the Chinese warlord era. He hailed from Zaoqiang County, Hebei province, China. After his military career w ...

(); and

Baguazhang Baguazhang or Pakua chang () is one of the three main Chinese martial arts of the Wudang school, the other two being T'ai chi and Xing Yi Quan. It is more broadly grouped as an internal practice (or neijia quan). ''Bāguà zhǎng'' literally m ...

Xingyiquan Xing Yi Quan is classified as one of the internal styles of Chinese martial arts. The name of the art translates approximately to "Form-Intention Fist", or "Shape-Will Fist". Xing Yi is characterized by aggressive, seemingly linear movements ...

from Sūn Lùtáng ().

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. 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. According to legend, Gu, in the same spirit as the folk hero

Huo Yuanjia Huo Yuanjia (18 January 1868 – 9 August 1910),wushu.org.cn
states that the Chin Woo Athletic Association ...

, defeated foreign fighters who viewed the Chinese martial arts as an inferior system of fighting. 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-striked on its back and it lied down, severely damaged at its backbone, and died the next morning. KYC told the Russian owner he was not taking any money from him.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gu, Ruzhang Chinese martial artists 1952 deaths Sportspeople from Jiangsu People from Yancheng 1894 births