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Curated by: Augustus Roe (109 videos)
#kungfu #selfdefence #martialartshistory China’s imperial bodyguards didn’t train Shaolin Kung Fu or Wing Chun — they trained Bajiquan. A brutal close-range self-defense system designed to end threats before they fully develop. So why his this highly effective Chinese martial art remained so unknown? Bajiquan is one of the most functional— and least discussed — Chinese martial arts in history. It was used by the bodyguards of Pu Yi, Chiang Kai-shek, and even units connected to Mao Zedong’s personal security. Elements of the system are still associated with modern Chinese security training today. Yet outside dedicated martial arts circles, Bajiquan is rarely talked about — and that’s not a coincidence. In this video, we explore the full history of Bajiquan: from its roots in the Hui Muslim community of Mengcun, Hebei… to the legendary Wu Zhong, whose spear-based methods shaped the system’s explosive power… to the feared Li Shu Wen — “God Spear Li” — who forged Bajiquan into one of the most formidable close-combat systems of the early 20th century. More than just history, this is an investigation into how Bajiquan was actually used — in combat, in security work, and in real-world violence. Because the reason Bajiquan is so obscure… is the same reason it works. Chapters: 0:00 — China’s Bodyguards Didn’t Train Shaolin 0:27 — Introduction: The Question Behind Bajiquan 0:45 — What is the origin of Bajiquan? 2:30 — Wu Zhong and the Spear-Based System 3:51 — Who was Li Shu Wen in Bajiquan history? 5:19 — Did Chinese imperial bodyguards really use Bajiquan? 7:10 — Why is Bajiquan so rare compared to Shaolin Kung Fu? 8:49 — Conclusion: A Practical Fighter’s Art 🎙️ I’m Augustus Roe — a martial artist and researcher based in Asia. This channel explores how martial arts were actually used, how they evolved, and what history gets wrong. 📩 Subscribe for weekly deep dives into martial arts history, kung fu, and real combat systems. 🎥 Watch next — Taijiquan / Tai Chi: https://youtu.be/s4MmrtwlPNo?si=iYvJmo7cLgYVvtjj 📚 My Books & Recommended Reading (affiliate links): • The Martial Arts of Vietnam: An Overview of History and Styles eBook: https://amzn.to/41bESMq Paperback: https://amzn.to/48jTgWz • The Legendary Masters of Martial Arts eBook: https://amzn.to/4aVDtzo Paperback: https://amzn.to/3N6NShM Hardback: https://amzn.to/3MSnmZr