The sabre is valued for its length, the body for its weight; For every finger‑length of extra sabre, a portion of gold. Where the blade meets the guard, distinguish hard and soft; When steel is dipped for the edge, discern shallow and deep.
Hook Sickle Spear (钩镰枪, Goulian Qiang) is a type of cold weapon from ancient China.It was used in infantry combat and was one of the weapons in ancient chariot warfare tactics. Its form consists of a long spear with a barbed hook on the sharp blade of the spearhead, specifically designed to counter enemy cavalry.
He Yunheng (贺运亨, 1839–1924), a native of Menggao Village, Taigu, Shanxi, and the second Shanxi disciple of Li Laoneng, the founder of Xingyi Quan, and the second‑generation Chuojiao grand master Wei Changyi (魏昌义, est 1835–1915, from Xiqizhuang, Lixian County, Hebei), who was then in charge of the Fuyuan Security Logistics Bureau in Beijing, formed a bond through martial arts.
With single-arm strength, Wang Zhan Ao (王占鳌) executed "Dragon Coiling the Sea" (盘龙搅海), then "Golden Rooster Nods" (金鸡乱点头), forcing Li Gong to retreat. A final strike, "Kun Peng Spreads Its Wings" (鲲鹏展翅), sent the spear whipping toward Li Gong like lightning. The bandit barely dodged, but the shaft grazed his back, knocking him down.
Lower-limb strength and power are critical for martial arts athletes to perform complex maneuvers such as aerial outward swings. These physiological attributes govern execution speed, movement amplitude, and postural control during the high-stress environment of competitive combat.
Chuojiao, one of China's traditional martial arts schools, unconsciously embodies and applies this philosophical thought. Every move in Chuojiao reflects the concept of unity of opposites, allowing two opposing elements to coexist and transform into each other. It skillfully combines contradictory elements such as attack and defense, advance and retreat, emptiness and solidity, upper and lower, hardness and softness, extension and contraction, movement and stillness, and applies them flexibly and masterfully, elevating one's combat skills to a new level.
As stated in the Chuojiao Boxing Theory: "The hands are the vanguard, and the feet are the commander. The fists strike in six directions, and the feet kick in eight." In practical combat, Chuojiao emphasizes the coordinated use of hand and foot techniques. The hands defend the upper body, while the feet attack the lower body. The hands guide the feet, and when the hands move, the feet follow. When the feet retract, the hands defend. This synchronization is crucial.
"In martial arts, practicing leg techniques is fundamental. If leg techniques are well-trained, the Five Elements will be in harmony, and the Six Harmonies will be aligned. If one does not train their legs, the Five Elements will not be in harmony, the Six Harmonies will not align, movements will not be swift, advancing and retreating will lack agility, and it will be difficult to utilize the tendons and bones effectively. Therefore, one must first focus on developing leg strength.