Tzu Men Chuan (Zimenquan)
Tzu Men Chuan is a soft style of kung fu that was developed in the Shaolin Temple and as with most of the Shaolin fighting styles, the original development is shrouded in mystery. The earliest recorded history of Tzu Men Chuan is in the 1736-1796 time frame.
Tzu Men Chuan is based on 18 characters (Principles). Most the information I’m relaying below was released in an article in “Inside Kung Fu” many years ago by one my teachers. It was written by my Grand Teacher.
Tzu Men Chuan means Character Gate Fist. Each character represents a set of postures. In fighting each has it’s own special spirit, and method. The style emphasizes a flexible approach to strategy, and practitioners are to always be alert to changes in circumstances.
The 18 characters of the system are ingrained in the main 3 forms of the system.
I’m going to list the 18 characters here, but won’t go into detail. Once this is all mastered, point striking (Dim Mak) is the next level, and is the reason that the system is sometimes referred to a the “Poison Finger System”.
Tsun (stretch out hands)
Tui (speed up and forward)
Yuan (saving)
Tuo (one step earlier)
Chien (deflecting the attack)
Na (pressing down from high position)
Bee (trapping)
Hsi (contact and give in)
Tich (relax)
Tsuan (against and push aside)
Chusa (turning)
Cha (attack from high position)
Pao (step out and close up)
Toh (to lift)
Tsa (contact quickly and adhere)
Sah (meet attack with attack)
Tuen (swallow)
Tu (ejecting)
Tzu Men Chuan’s movements are very light, fast, vicious, and accurate. There is no strength used until you reach the opponent. Then you adapt to the circumstances. Always use the opponents force to defeat his force. Neutralize the opponents force by using no force. In defense always keep contact with the enemy and remain soft, light, flexible, nimble and active. You can minimize the opponents attack and escape when ever an opportunity exists.
Mike Murphy
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Murphy Martial Arts 
Hi Mike,
This is Zi Men Quan and from Jiang Xi Province (your romanization is from Taiwan so you have Tzu Men Chuan and Kiang Xi). Anyways for further information suggest our site here: http://www.satirio.com/ma/zimen/intro.html and the history from Wu Heming and Yu Kerang http://www.satirio.com/ma/zimen/history.html and videos http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=6CB93783B32CAFCD . Our teacher lived in Jiang Xi and studied the system there including its contents as per the http://www.satirio.com/ma/zimen/methodology.html section. The 18 characters are just one of the theories of the system, others can be found here: http://www.satirio.com/ma/articles/zimenquanpu.html (chinese only).
Kind Regards,
Justin
Hello Justin,
I want to thank you very much for your comments here. I would like to add your sites to my links, so that anyone hitting my blog can find you for more information. I write this blog for many reasons, such as to help spread and preserve traditional Chinese Martial arts. Of course I also hope that I can network and learn more from others, such as yourself by this same method.
Yes the lineage that I have goes back through Taiwan. There seems to be a bit of a different flavor to the forms I have, in comparison to what I saw on Youtube. Looking at your site it appears the system has far more to offer, then I have had a chance to learn to date.
Perhaps after I’ve had a chance to absorb the information you have provided here, I can follow up with an email to discuss things further?
Best regards,
Mike