Liu Wanchuan

Liu Wanchuan (刘万川)
Liu Wanchuan
Born	November 1, 1906 Haiyang, China
Died	November 6, 1991 Beijing, China
Other names	Liu Yi Hai
Residence	Beijing
Nationality	Chinese
Style	Baguazhang
Occupation	Martial arts teacher
Notable students	Yu Zhiming Fan Yaohua Li Tao

Liu Wanchuan (also known as Liu Yi Hai) (Chinese: 刘万川) (November 1, 1906 – November 6, 1991) was a master of the Chinese Neijia (internal) martial art Baguazhang. He studied extensively with the great Baguazhang master Ma Gui (1851-1941), and is considered to be one of only two modern masters (the other being Wang Peisheng) to have successfully passed on Ma Gui's unique lineage to current generations. According to Liu Wanchuan, the Baguazhang style that Ma Gui taught him using "low basin, small steps, and particularly heavy power and strength," and for those who practice it regularly "at the very least it will add ten or twenty years to your life."

For Baguazhang practitioners, "the most striking characteristic of Ma Gui Baguazhang is the slow and stable circle-walking that develops lower leg strength, qi, blood flow, and whole body power. The body develops to resemble Dong Haichuan and Ma Gui – a thick trunk and back with well developed dantian, firm wrists and ankles, powerful legs and arms, a rosy complexion, and calm expression."

The Ma Gui Baguazhang lineage passed down through Liu Wanchuan is now actively taught around the world in China, Japan, Australia, Norway, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States by current Ma Gui Baguazhang lineage holder Li Baohua.

Born in Haiyang, Shandong Province, Liu Wanchuan started training Baguazhang at age nine with his father Liu Qinglu, his uncle Liu Qingfu (1862-1952), and Liu Qinfu's son Liu Xuehai. Both his father and uncle were apprentices under Yin Fu in Beijing in the late 1800s.

Around 1923, Liu Wanchuan moved to Beijing to make a living and took up advanced studies with Yin Fu's son Yin Yuzhang. He studied with him for eight years. From the early 1930s onward Liu worked as an accountant for a restaurant called YuChun Lou (Jade Spring Restaurant) that was owned by Li Shao'an (1888-1980) (also known as Li MengRui). Li Shao'an was from the same village as Liu, and had studied with Li Wenbiao, Yin Yuzhang, Liu Bin, and Liang Zhenpu, to whom he became a formal disciple. Li Shao'an was known for his extraordinary skill in daishou (dragging palm) and was thus given the nickname, "Iron Arm Li."

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