Mízōngyì (), or simply Mízōng, is a style of Chinese martial art based on deception and mobility. Mizong is also known as Mízōngquán ( or sometimes "Labyrinthine Boxing" stressing the deceptive nature of the art) and Yànqīngquán (). There are many sub-branches of this style. Mizong Luohan () is a combination of two styles: Mízōngquán and Luóhànquán. Through Luóhànquán, its lineage can be traced back to the

Shaolin temple Shaolin Monastery (少林寺 ''Shàolínsì''), also known as Shaolin Temple, is a renowned monastic institution recognized as the birthplace of Chan Buddhism and the cradle of Shaolin Kung Fu. It is located at the foot of Wuru Peak of the So ...

during the time of the

Tang Dynasty The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, t= ), or Tang Empire, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907 AD, with an Zhou dynasty (690–705), interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dyn ...

(618–907). As an external northern Chinese style, Mizong belongs to the "

Long Fist Chángquán () refers to a family of external (as opposed to internal) martial arts (kung fu) styles from northern China. The forms of the Long Fist style emphasize fully extended kicks and striking techniques, and by appearance would be cons ...

" family of martial arts although in some traditions Mizong is considered an internal art, created by

Yue Fei Yue Fei ( zh, t=岳飛; March 24, 1103 – January 28, 1142), courtesy name Pengju (), was a Chinese military general who lived during the Song dynasty, Southern Song dynasty and a national hero of China, known for leading Southern Song force ...

, and taught as a precursor system to

Hsing I Ch'uan 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 ...

. Mizongquan was created by Cheng Juxiao. Cheng learned from his maternal grandfather and mother, both of whom were also practitioners of Mizongyi. The art began to grow popular since 1901 due to the deeds of

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

, a Mizongyi master.

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

's father,

Huo Endi Huo Endi () (1836–1917) was a Chinese martial artist and the father of famous Chinese martial artist Huo Yuanjia. Huo Endi, a 6th-generation successor of Mizongyi was a well-known martial artist who served as a bodyguard for caravans travell ...

is a 6th-generation successor of Mizongyi.

Description

Mizong Luohan is an external style, with distinct internal influences. It draws on many aspects of the external

Northern Shaolin In its broadest sense, Northern Shaolin () is the external (as opposed to internal) martial arts of Northern China, referring to those styles from the Northern Shaolin Monastery in Henan and specifically to the style practice by ''Gù Rǔzhāng ...

long-fist style, and the internal styles

T'ai chi ch'uan Tai chi (), short for Tai chi ch'üan ( zh, s=太极拳, t=太極拳, first=t, p=Tàijíquán, labels=no), sometimes called "shadowboxing", is an neijia, internal Chinese martial art practiced for defense training, health benefits and medita ...

and Baguazhang, which are often taught alongside it in modern times. It is characterized by deceptive hand movements, intricate footwork, varied kicks, and high leaps. The style changes very quickly when executed. The emphasis on flexibility in

Northern Shaolin Kung Fu In its broadest sense, Northern Shaolin () is the external (as opposed to Neijia, internal) martial arts of North China, Northern China, referring to those styles from the Northern Shaolin Monastery in Henan and specifically to the style practic ...

styles is the guiding principle of Mizong, and this is evident in the versatility of its attacks and the extent to which it integrates core concepts of multiple internal styles. Mizong Luohan's system was presided over by Grandmaster Ye Yu Ting in the twentieth century until his death in 1962, at the age of 70. A number of his students such as Masters Chi-Hung Marr, Raymond K. Wong, and Johnny Lee emigrated to North America in the 1960s and have continued to teach this system in various locations around the United States of America, from Los Angeles, Dallas, Texas, Coppell, Texas, to Hawai`i and Canada.{{cite web, url=http://tangmartialarts.com/page/the-legend , title=The Legend , publisher=Tang Martial Arts Center , access-date=2016-10-07 Mizong Chuan has also been continued to be taught as a foundation art to Hsing I/Xing Yi within the Yue Jia Ba Shao/Geng Jishan tradition in London, England. Within this tradition, Mizong was primarily taught to children, as from a learning perspective the technical and internal aspects of the art are less sophisticated (i.e., more external) than in Hsing I.

References

Chinese martial arts

Description

See also

References