Ma Feng-Tu was a martial artist, evolutionary, thinker, civil servant, Chinese medicine practitioner and one of founder of Chinese warrior association (中華武士會) and Ma Family Tongbei school (通備武學)[1]. He was known for his skill in his family's kungfu including Bajiquan and Liuhedaqiang.
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Biography
Ma was born on 1st January 1888 to a reknowned martial art family.
Training
Ma trained under Zhang Jing-Xing alongside his brother, Ma Ying-Tu. They later trained under Zhang Yuheng. Ma also learned Pigua and Tongbei with Huang Linbiao (黃林彪 1831-1907) and he mostly taught a mixture of these schools in Lanzhou under the name of Tongbei (Tongbei Wuxue通備武學).
Revolutionary work
In 1909, he join Tongmonghui (同盟會), an underground revolutionary alliance pushing for democracy. The next year (1910) together with Ye Yunbiao (葉雲表) founded Chinese warrior association (中華武士會). In 1924, he assists General Zhang Zhijiang (張之江)and Feng Yuxiang (馮玉祥)in preparing teaching material for infantry in Combative Research and Development unit (白刃戰術教程). Between 1929 and 1935, he founded Gansu (甘肅) and Qinghai (青海)martial art institute.
Retirement
After 1949, he retired from governmental duty, kept low profile and worked as Chinese medicine practitioner and martial art teacher. Passing away 1973.
Personal Life
Ma Feng-Tu was the older brother of a Ma Yingtu (馬英圖).
Legacy
Ma Family Martial Arts
The Ma family martial arts consists primarily of a mixture of Tongbei, Pigua and Baji, though Feng-Tu and his sons are responsible for incorporating a number of forms of Chuojiao and Fanziquan.
Ma taught his son, Xian-Da his family martial arts.
National Arts Academy
Ma also contributed with the initial ideas for the National Arts Academy, his efforts were focused on creating similar structures in Shanghai.[2]
Writings
Ma Fengtu composed a treatise called Bajiquan Three Character Stanzas (Bajiquan sanzi jing 八極拳三字經) in November 1953, which opens with the following stanzas:
八極拳，吳鍾傳；槍中王，慶雲縣；莊科村，樹教範。師張公，禮超凡。
[The art of] Bajiquan,
Was passed down by Wu Zhong;
He was known as 'King of the Spear',
He lived in Zhuangke Village, Qingyun County;
He set the standard.
Taught by Master Zhang,
With exemplary courtesy.[3]
References
- ↑ MA FENGTU (馬鳳圖) - 通備武學 TONGBEI INSTITUTE
- ↑ Martial Destination: A Lifetime Dedicated to the Martial Traditions, An Interview with Professor Ma Mingda - ZHONGGUO WU XUE
- ↑ Bajiquan (Eight Cardinal Boxing) and Liuhe daqiang (Six Harmony Spear) by Ma Mingda - Journal of Chinese Martial Studies
