Master Huang Baoshan, Shaolin Zuibaxian Quan and Luda Zuigun

The Legacy of the Drunken Eight Immortals Fist and the Drunken Monk Staff

Master Huang Baoshan (1905–1998) was one of the last great representatives of the traditional martial arts of north-west China. Born in Tianshui, Gansu Province, along the ancient Silk Road, he grew up in a region where Chinese civilisation, Buddhist culture, and the warrior traditions of the Central Asian steppes had met for centuries.

Gansu was historically a land of soldiers, generals, travelling monks, and martial artists. The region preserved many old fighting traditions, reflected in the saying:

“Nanquan, beitui; Dongqiang, xigun”
“Fists in the south, legs in the north; spears in the east, staffs in the west.”

From his youth, Huang Baoshan dedicated his life to the study of traditional Wushu. His first teacher was Master Mu Songlin, after which he became a disciple of the famous north-western martial artist Sun Yanbiao (1884–1981). Sun Yanbiao was renowned throughout China as a master of traditional boxing and especially the old staff methods of Gansu. He became the bodyguard of Empress Dowager Ci Xi, and was also an army officer in charge of training soldiers in Qinghai and Gansu province.

The lineage of Sun Yanbiao came from the military traditions of the late Qing period through General Shao Yinhuan (1862–1930), known as “the man with the silver ear.” Shao was a renowned warrior and general during the turbulent era of the Boxer Rebellion. Through this transmission, Huang Baoshan inherited a living connection to the warrior culture of old China.

At the age of fifteen, Huang began travelling throughout China in search not only of martial arts masters but also of teachers of Daoist and Buddhist philosophy. In 1920, he visited the Shaolin Temple in Henan, during the time of the respected abbot Master Miao Xin (1876–1934), where he studied traditional Shaolin boxing and footwork methods. He later travelled to Xi’an Wolong Temple (Temple of the Sleeping Dragon), where he studied Buddhist teachings and the rare Nine Rings Chan Staff (Jiuhuan Chanzhang) under the venerable monk Ranzhao.

Throughout his life, Master Huang preserved numerous traditional forms that were disappearing during the social changes of twentieth-century China. When he was visited in Tianshui in 1993, he was living modestly, yet he remained a true guardian of an extraordinary martial heritage. His knowledge was later continued through his close student Master He Tianfu, ensuring the survival of these rare traditions.

Among the many forms preserved by Master Huang Baoshan, two exceptional Shaolin methods demonstrate the unique relationship between martial skill, cultural symbolism, and expressive movement: Shaolin Zuibaxian Quan (少林醉八仙拳), the Drunken Eight Immortals Fist, and Luda Zuigun (鲁达醉棍), the Drunken Monk Staff.

Shaolin Zuibaxian Quan (少林醉八仙拳)

Shaolin Zuibaxian Quan was transmitted to Master Huang Baoshan, coming from the Shaolin Temple. Inspired by the Daoist legend of the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea (八仙过海), the form represents the different personalities and abilities of the eight immortals: Han Zhongli, Lu Dongbin, Lan Caihe, Cao Guojiu, He Xiangu, Han Xiangzi, Zhang Guolao, and Tie Guaili.

Unlike modern performance versions of drunken boxing, traditional Shaolin Zuibaxian Quan is a sophisticated combat system. The “drunken” appearance is a strategy of deception, hiding intention through relaxed movement, sudden changes of rhythm, and unexpected attacks.

The form develops balance, leg strength, flexibility, and coordination through Shaolin stances such as ma bu (horse stance), gong bu (bow stance), ding bu (T-step), and xie bu (resting stance). Its techniques include palms, hooks, fists, and the characteristic “drinking hand” movements. The practitioner appears unstable like a drunk person, while maintaining complete control and martial precision.

Luda Zuigun (鲁达醉棍)

The Luda Zuigun, or “Drunken Monk Staff,” was made by Sun Yanbiao, and it was also transmitted in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, by the Qing Dynasty warrior monk Tian Guanren. This rare staff method belongs to the traditional Gansu weapon systems and uses the Four Doors (Simen 四门) stepping pattern to create powerful angles of attack and defence.

The form is inspired by Lu Zhishen (鲁智深), the famous warrior monk from the classical novel Water Margin. Originally named Lu Da, he became a Buddhist monk after a violent past. Known for his immense strength, courage, and unpredictable personality, he became a symbol of the powerful warrior monk.

The movements of Luda Zuigun reflect his character: large, forceful, circular, and explosive. The staff appears wild and uncontrolled, yet every movement contains precise fighting applications. Sweeping strikes, sudden changes of direction, and deceptive attacks make this one of the most distinctive traditional staff methods of Gansu.

In 1958, Master Huang Baoshan performed Luda Zuigun at the first national Wushu competition in Beijing, helping to preserve this rare heritage.

Today, Shaolin Zuibaxian Quan, Luda Zuigun, and Shaolin Zui Baxian gun remain valuable examples of the old Chinese martial Drunken Style tradition preserved by Master Huang Baoshan. They represent not only fighting techniques but also the history, philosophy, literature, and spirit of the warrior culture of ancient China.

Lineage:

Shaolin Temple, 17th century

1. Shao Yin (邵銀 1862-1930), “Shao Silver-earring.” Boxing Rebellion training leader.

2. Sun Yanbiao (孫彥彪1878—1975), Bodyguard of Empress Ci Xi and army officer in Qinghai and Gansu

3. Huang Baoshan (黄寶珊 1910-1998), Vice president of Tianshui Wushuguan, main disciple of Sun Yanbiao.

4. Yun Luxia (Lucas Christopoulos 雲露俠), went to study in Tianshui in 1992.