Chaquan
# Chaquan

Chaquan (Chinese: 查拳; pinyin: Chāquán) is a Chinese martial art that features graceful movements and some acrobatic aerial maneuvers and includes a large range of weapons. Chaquan falls under the classification Changquan, a type of Northern Chinese martial arts known for their extended, long movements.

The style is associated with the Hui people and related to the Turkic people from Central Asia. In the legend, a Turkic warrior named "Zha Mi-Er" (maybe Sameer [name of Arabic origin] or Dämir [meaning "iron" in Turkic]); Chinese: 查密爾) from current Xinjiang or Central Asia passed down this martial art to the Chinese locals in the current Xandong province during the late Ming dynasty. One famous master of Chaquan was Wang Ziping, who was known for his great strength. Other modern day masters include Zhang Wenguang, Ma Jinbiao, and Liu Hongchi.

Chaquan is one of the sources of the contemporary Wushu Changquan, which is often seen in movies and tournaments.

Chaquan is a system that has six main weapons (staff, saber, sword, spear, kwandao, hookswords). It emphasizes long range movements and stances combined with speed and power. The style includes many forms, including 10 lines of tantui for basic power training, 10 longer sets of Chaquan, and other forms as well.

