Deep within the sacred peaks of Mount Longhu (龍虎山 / Dragon Tiger Mountain) in Jiangxi, China—the historical birthplace of Zhengyi Taoism—lies a rare and esoteric Hakka combat system: Jiangxi Ganzhou Dragon Tiger Mountain Taoist Hakka Fist (江西贛州龍虎山道教客家拳), known as Five Chinese Fist (五華拳 / Wu Hua Kuen).
Forged through mountain herbal medicine traditions, travels across imperial provinces, and exchanges with temple monks, this sacred art made its journey across the Southern Seas (Nanyang) to Malaysia, where it is preserved today by Master Gu Cai-Hua (古才華師傅).
Part 1: Legendary Origins & The Wandering Founder
The founder of Five Chinese Fist was a Taoist lay practitioner (Su Jia Di Zi) who spent his youth on Mount Longhu in Jiangxi Province, harvesting traditional Chinese medicine herbs and studying martial arts under Taoist masters.
The Five Inner Disciples & The Wanderings Across China
During his time on the mountain, only five advanced inner-door disciples (Ru Shi Di Zi) earned the master’s complete inheritance—the founder being one of the five, giving the art its name, Five Chinese Fist (五華拳).
Upon completing his studies, the founder descended the mountain to travel the country (Zou Jiang Hu) and refine his skill against other masters. His journeys took him across five provinces:
- Sichuan (四川)
- Hunan (湖南)
- Hubei (湖北)
- Zhangzhou, Fujian (福建漳州)
- Zengcheng, Guangdong (廣東增城)
While visiting Xinhui District in Guangdong, the founder visited Tiancheng Temple (天成寺) to engage in friendly martial exchange with a senior Buddhist monk. Impressed by the founder’s skill and character, the senior monk imparted a secret staff system to him—which became the legendary River Staff (河邊棍).
The founder eventually settled down in Cuiheng Village, Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, where he established a martial arts hall and began taking disciples.
Demonstration: Three Arrows (三箭 )
Watch: Demonstration of “Three Arrows” (三箭 ), the foundational engine of Jiangxi Dragon Tiger Mountain Five Chinese Fist, highlighting short-range Hakka power and structural rooting.
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Part 2: Migration to Malaysia
During the early 20th century, China was engulfed in civil turmoil and conflict. Master Gu You-Zai (古有在), the father of Master Gu Cai-Hua, had become an inner disciple of the founder in Cuiheng Village, mastering both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and the complete Five Chinese Fist combat curriculum.
To seek a safer life, Master Gu You-Zai journeyed south to Malaya (now Malaysia), bringing his medical knowledge and this unique Taoist Hakka martial heritage with him.
Part 3: Technical Curriculum & Sacred Salutation
Five Chinese Fist is recognized for its dynamic Hakka structure, explosive hand strikes, and precise weapon work.
The Sacred Opening Salutation: San Ba Ban Xiang Li
Every form in the system opens with a distinctive ritual salutation known as “Three and a Half Incense Sticks Salutation” (三把半香禮), reflecting its deep Taoist origins and secret society honor codes.
Unarmed Forms (空手套路)
- Three Arrows (三箭 / San Jian): Explosive thrusting hand techniques. (Also recorded in Chinese as 三戰 / San Zhan).
- Three Gates (三門 / San Men): Defending and attacking across three dynamic spatial vectors.
- Six Methods (六法 / Liu Fa): Core kinetic hand principles and body alignment.
- Tiger Fist (虎拳 / Hu Quan): Heavy clawing strikes, tearing methods, and powerful footwork.
- Lohan Takes Off The Robe (羅漢脫袈裟): Evasive frame changes, shedding grips, and counter-striking.
- Three Arrows Goose Palm (三箭鵝形掌): Swift, open-palm strike combinations.
Weapon Forms & The Sacred Staff Poem
The weapon curriculum features close-quarters edge work and the historic temple staff form obtained at Tiancheng Temple:
- Dagger (匕首 / Bi Shou)
- Stick Form by the River (河邊棍 / He Bian Gun): The central long-weapon routine of the school.
🎥 Demonstration: Traditional Staff Forms & Dagger
Watch: Demonstration of traditional staff and dagger routines.
Part 4: Lineage Contact & Training
Master Gu Cai-Hua continues to preserve and teach this rare Dragon Tiger Mountain lineage in Malaysia.
Contact Information
- Master Gu Cai-Hua (古才華師傅): +60 10-664 5697
- Facebook Profile: facebook.com/gu.cai.hua/
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