Yang Style Qing Ping Jian
杨氏青萍剑

Qing Ping Sword （杨氏青萍剑）began in Northern Song Dynasty (960 – 1279). The martial art concept was created in the Long Mian Mountains of An Hui Province (安徽龙眠). Long Mian literal translation is “where the dragon sleeps”. Based on historical records, Qing Ping is an evolution of Chung Yang Sword. It was the tradition to pass on the knowledge of these martial art forms through masters. Since the creation of Qing Ping, there have been over 17 generations of masters and students. Qing Ping was viewed by ancient practitioners as a jewel-like treasure, and as a result, is one of the most famous and deep-rooted ancient sword forms in China. It is taught through deep contemplation and teaches the disciples through meaningful poems.

CHARACTERISTICS

Qing Ping Jian is comprised of 16 basic techniques that can be found in other classical straight sword systems. These techniques include Dian 点 (point), Beng 崩(bounce), Ci 刺 (stab), Yun 云 (cloud circle), Mo 抹(wipe), Gua 挂(circle parry), Tiao 挑(pick upwards), Liao 撩 (glide up), Pi 劈(chop), Ti 提(raise), Bo 拨(poke aside), Chan 缠 (entangle), Jei 截(ambush), Lan 拦 (block), Chao 抄(seize circle), Sao 扫(sweep horizontal).

Yang Style Qing Ping Jian (杨氏青萍剑) is made up of 4 routines that utilize these techniques which add up to 208 moves to master. The first routine emphasizes the foundation skills including stances, basic sword skills, and posture. This phase is designed to build the foundation and understanding of the 16 basic techniques, their applications, principles, and how they relate to each other. The following 3 routines get increasingly more difficult and complex characterized by light, swift movements, turns, and direction changes, with altering rhythms. Footwork is often evasive with the body moving one way, the feet another, and the sword yet another. Because of the physical and technical demands of the Qing Ping routines, it is considered an advanced skill and students will need to have a solid foundation in bare-hand forms before taking on the challenge.

HISTORY & LINEAGE OF QING PING JIAN

GONG LIN LEE (李公麟)

The first Qing Ping practitioner was Gong Lin Lee (李公麟). He was born in Song Dynasty in the Long Mian Mountains (安徽龙眠山) and was nicknamed “the Noble Gentleman of the Long Mian” (龙眠居士), hereinafter known as “Lee”. Lee was born with a very peaceful disposition. He was also very intelligent, talented, and well-educated. He had a great affinity for poetry, music, and calligraphy. He also had extensive knowledge of kung fu and military strategy. It is said that he was a true genius with many talents.

In his earlier years, Lee started his career working for the government as a military consultant. However, he quickly realized that the government was controlled by unethical officials and concluded that corruption within the government would be endless. He gave up his career and began to live his life free of materialism. Lee then traveled to Zhong-Nan Mountain (终南山) and, by chance, met an elderly Taoist monk.

The monk was a Chung Yang practitioner for decades, and at his old age, his swordsmanship was like that of a Taoist god. The two men formed a bond almost instantly, and Lee began to study Chung Yang under the monk. He mastered all of Chung Yang Sword (纯阳剑法) in just five years. When Lee completed his training he returned to his hometown in the Long Mian Mountains where he would create Qing Ping Jian in gratitude for his master.

SUN WENBO ( 孙文渤, 1881 - 1960)

Sun Wenbo (孙文渤, 1881 - 1960) was a master of Qing Ping Jian. He was best known for his tremendous loyalty to his country and generosity to those in his life. He began training with his father, who was a Shaolin Mantis Master at a very early age, however, he is most remembered for his development and training of Qing Ping Jian (杨氏青萍剑) which is known today as Yang Style.

EARLY LIFE AND FUNDAMENTAL TRAINING

Sun Wenbo (孙文渤) was born in Junmazhan Village, Cang County, Hebei Province, China in 1881 (Guangxu 7). Sun Wenbo started his martial arts training at the age of 5 under the instruction of his father, Sun Zhipu (孙芝谱), who was a famous and accomplished Shaolin Mantis Master (少林螳螂拳).

In 1895 (Guangxu 21), at the age of 19, Sun Wenbo (孙文渤) was sent to the city Yang Guanzhuang, in the Beijing Providence, in order to start his training in Qing Ping Jian (青萍剑) under Master Yang Yunqiao (杨云乔). Sun Wenbo would go on to train under Master Yan Yunqiao for six years.

CAREER AND MASTER OF QING PING JIAN

Sun Wenbo would eventually leave the tutelage of Master Yan and pursue a carrier in the Chinese Army. In 1927, at the age of 46, he was a martial arts instructor at the headquarters of the Northeastern Border Security Army under Patriotic General Zhang Xueliang (张学良). General Zhang was a practitioner of fencing and held the art of Qing Ping Jian in high esteem. The following year, 1928, Sun Wenbo would be requested by the last Emperor of China and the twelfth emperor in the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Aixinjueluo Puyi (爱新觉罗溥仪), to personally instruct him in the martial art of Qing Ping Jian. He would continue to perform this task until 1933. It was in this year that Sun Wenbo was recruited by Patriotic General Yu Xuezhong to serve as the 51st Chief Martial Arts Instructor of the Hebei Technical Officer Training team.

WANG QINGZHAI (王庆斋;1905-1993)

In the 1930s Sun Wenbo began to train a young Wang Qing Zhai (王庆斋) in the art of Yang Style Qing Ping Jian. In 1947, now Master Wang Qing Zhai competed in the last Northeast Fighting Chinese Martial Arts competition. He placed first in Qing Ping Jian fighting.

ZHANG YUNCHAO (张云超)

This is where the history and lineage meet today in our studio with Master Yun teaching this martial art to the next generation.