Gong Bao Tian Bagua 宫寶田八卦掌 - Eight Animal Shapes 八形合 and Weapons

Описание: Gong Bao Tian Bagua - 宫寶田八卦掌 - Eight Animal Shapes 八形合 and Weapons

-Some General History:
Master Gong Bao Tian was a student of Yin Fu. Yin Fu was the first student of Dong Hai Chuan in Beijing who in turn is attributed with the creation of Bagua Zhang.
Master Gong was born in 1870 Qingshan City in Shandong. An Aunt of him took him to Beijing.
The Story goes that the Aunt was visited by Master Yin Fu and he recognised the talent of the young Gong Bao Tian.

Yin Fu brought him even to Master Dong Hai Chuan who recognised he talent as well and would teach him for several days at the time and regular give him pointers in his training.

When Gong Bao Tian became an adult he was invited into the Imperial Palace to showcase his skills.Its said that the Generals were so impressed that he was offered a position as bodyguard 10 years later even took over Yin Fu`s duties in the Imperial Palace.

-Some thoughts on techniqual aspect of the Style:
To me this is one of the most interesting styles of Bagua since is varies quite a bit from the Yin Style of Bagua and also from the other Bagua Styles of Dong Hais Branch.
It was argued by some people that the original Gong Style looked more close to the teachings of Yin Fu and was only changed by later generations.

So far I havent been lucky to come across this older version. Still I wonder how later generations were able to modify Bagua in such a unique way.