In Taiwan I met one of the "old men" of Shehequan, master Liu-Song-Shan. Hi is an uncle of my Sifu (brother of my Sifu's father, Liu Yi-Shan). At age of 83 he is still practicing Shehequan every day. He is a headmaster of the family tradition of Shehequan.
It was Master Liu who was asked by famous Shihan of okinawan karate Patrick McCarthy to disclose the information about Shehequan and Shaolin Tongjien Bu, the secrets of Liu family. Master Liu was very helpful. Most of information about Shehequan in Patrick McCarthy's book Bubishi – The Bible of Karate come from Mr Liu. This is what Master Liu said about their meeting.
How and when did you meet Patrick McCarthy?
It was quite long ago, during my visit to China as a representative of Shehequan. Federation of Martial Arts in Fukien was organizing at that time championship and meetings in order to research the roots of various systems, which are almost lost in China. Shehequan is one of them. No one except our family and our area in Taiwan practices this system at the moment. However it is a very famous fighting system.That was why Fuzhou Wushu Association was interested in it. Mr. McCarthy was also taking a part in those meetings as he was researching the roots of okinawan karate and other martial arts of Okinawa which come from our system. His intention was to translate into English and publish Wuwezhi (Bubishi). He was also very interested in Shihequan.
As far as I know Mr. McCarthy is fluently speaking Japanese, but I did not know that he also speaks Chinese.
No, he did not speak Chinese but my Japanese is quite good and that's how we communicated.
What sort of information was Mr. McCarthy after?
Everything what was associated with Wuweizhi. He was also searching for a copy of this book made outside of Okinawa. Mr. McCarthy heard about Shaolin Tongjien Bu and that was why he came to China. Okinawan Bubishi exists also in Chinese version called Wuweizhi, which in Chinese means Bubishi. It is also not unknown book in Taiwan and Hong Kong, Singapore and China. Bubishi contains also a lot of information about Hequan (Crane fist) so someone interested in Bubishi would be also interested in this style. Apart from this the content of Bubishi does not very that much from Shaolin Tongjien Bu.
What can you say about meetings and tournaments in Fuzhou?
It was simply championship of Wushu and meeting of many masters and coaches. I remember a very tall Yugoslavian; here I have a photograph with him (Sifu is showing his album). He was trying to surprise me with one of his high kick, perhaps he was practising Beipai Shaolin, never mind. He attacked me with this kick but I defended myself this way (Sifu demonstrated this techniques on me). He flew a couple of metres back and after he did not want to discuss the effectiveness of Shehequan. Apart from this I met many people, for example head master of Minhequan. His formal exercises looked very elegant (as oppose to my because lets face the truth Shehequan is not pretty). I was sparing with him and he also landed on the ground after my huechiu (hand of fire), Yes but at least Minhequan survived in China. Whether it is a real Minhequan? That's the other question. In Shehequan we also have forms of all four systems of crane but I have never seen the movements like that. But he was a good fighter. His breathing methods were interesting.
Was it the only time when you met Mr. McCarthy?
Oh no, no. We spoke many times in Fuzhou, in Taiwan and in his house in Japan. Look, here is the photo of me in Mr McCarthy's house and here is other photo of both of us together. I lived in very nice room with tatami. Will you invite me to your country? I have never seen Poland.
Sifu as soon as I come back from Taiwan I will invite you for sure. I have your word
Sifu, do you still practice Shehequan everyday
Yes, I am old now and I don't have to work so I have a lot of time. Everyday in the morning I practice techniques with shout Shout is very important strength exercise dantian. I also maintain my manhood. Results? I have 35-years old girlfriend in my eighties and she is very happy. Se visits me every day. I don't have any health problems, especially with …you know what. I know many 50 years old, who are use for nothing. Look at me; if not my face you wouldn't say that I am old.
Indeed.
At this point master started to perform techniques and forms of Shihequan with such vigour that I would not be able to keep up with him in that temperature (it was about 38 degrees C at quite high humidity, as usually during summer in Taiwan)
Did you see Patrick McCarthy's book?
No, I did not, I was not sure whether he published it. Where is he now? In Canada?
No, he migrated to Australia. This is his book and here is your photo Sifu, on page 30.
Show me. It is me. (Master Liu was very happy). What a surprise.
May this book be a gift from me? I will buy another one.
I cannot speak English but thank you very much for this gift. That's good that you will be teaching Shehequan outside of Taiwan. Your teacher is the best expert of this system from all our family. None of us spent so much time practicing like him. That is why I put your training to his hands. You can count on my and his advises whenever you need it.
Thank you very much.
Buyokan
Paul Wollos
No. 6, Lane 202, Kung-Kuan Road,
Taichung 40344, Taiwan
E-mail: [email protected]
